The U.S. Senate today approved a measure that in polite, non-shrill, circles is being discussed as one that "govern[s] the interrogation and trials of terror suspects, establishing far-reaching new rules in the definition of who may be held and how they should be treated."

The vote was a shameful and shocking 65 to 34.

Here is a list of the Democrats who voted with the Constitution haters and shredders of the majority party:

Tom Carper (Del.)
Tim Johnson (S.D.)
Mary Landrieu (La.)
Frank Lautenberg (N.J.)
Joe Lieberman (Conn.)
Robert Menendez (N.J.)
Bill Nelson (Fla.)
Ben Nelson (Neb.)
Mark Pryor (Ark.)
Jay Rockefeller (W.Va.)
Ken Salazar (Colo.)
Debbie Stabenow (Mich.)

And below are those "moderate," "maverick," "independent," and "thoughtful" Republicans who hung tight with President Stalinist when the very definition of what this country stands for stood in the balance:

Susan Collins (Maine)
Lindsey Graham (S.C.)
Chuck Hagel (Neb.)
John McCain (Ariz.)
Arlen Specter (Pa.)
John Warner (Va.)

And not voting -- Too busy? Doing what? -- Sen. Olympia Snowe, Republican of Maine.

Never forget this. Write the names down, or bookmark this page. Write a letter, make a phone call. This is unforgivable.

[Post-publication addendum I (September 29): On a lighter note, would there were such a thing, see also a relevant haiku from my friend Mad Kane.]

[Post-publication addendum II (September 29): Note on the sidebar that Sen. Menendez has been crossed off the list of "critical races" to which I attempt to draw readers' attention and financial support. Perhaps he can redeem himself. In the meantime, and unless and until then, there are consequences, and there must be, minor as they seem, but we all, each of us, must take a stand, and so I did.]

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