I lived in Washington, D.C., for too long, I think. So long that even now that I live in Pennsylvania I sometimes forget that I have elected representatives, of the voting type no less, in the House and Senate.

Granted, in the case of the U.S. Senate, I, along with the rest of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, am sorrowfully underrepresented, given the fact that Pennsylvania's senators are none other than Tweedle Dee, also known as Sen. Arlen "Craven" Specter (R), also known as Senator Dipstick, and Tweedle Dum, also known as Sen. Rick "Just Plain Stupid" Santorum (R), also known as Senator Dork.

This evening, after recalling that indeed I am represented in the nation's highest legislative body by these two brain-dead right wingers -- sorry, Tweedle Dee's "pro-choice," I think that's the preferred term, politics do not exempt him from the wing-nut label -- I called both offices.

Surprisingly, their phones are answered by women -- of course -- who appear to have reasonable commands of the English language.

Not so surprising was to learn that Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum both intend to support to Bush-Ashcroft-Olsen-Federalist Society nomination of the woefully inadequate Miguel Estrada to an open seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.

I urge residents of Pennsylvania who oppose the Estrada nomination to call Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum to express their views to these ridiculous excuses for lawmakers. Granted, at this point it's probably hopeless, but the call to the Capitol -- at 1 (800) 839-5276 -- is free, so even if after you begin to express your unwelcome views the receptionist puts you on hold for 15 minutes -- as was the case for me with the office of Tweedle Dum -- it's not going to cost you anything. (Tweedle Dee can be reached directly by e-mail at this address: arlen_specter@specter.senate.gov .)

Besides, expressing your views is not only your right, it's your responsibility!