I read the Times' "Spineless" editorial, and had to agree. While I'm a little confused about who or what the NYT is these days, the editorial board was correct on this one.

I, for one, am sick and tired of the spineless, cat-herd Democratic contingent. Their complete ineffectiveness in gaining any traction against arguably the worst president in American history is shameful. Their inability to present a coherent message or disciplined opposition is pathetic. I called my Senator, and told him to join the filibuster. But he's Ken Salazar, and I'll bet you dollars to donuts he's going to pull a Tim Johnson. If these guys and gals keep flinging the rhetoric then rolling over and playing dead, I'm going to puke. And although I will not support the wingnut sure to challenge Salazar, neither will I support Salazar. He's on his own and he can try and triangulate his tenure without my help.

I don't care whether Democrats have got the votes. I'm sick of excuses, strategy and tactics that all wind up giving the moron Bush a free pass on everything. All I seem to hear out of them is empty rhetoric designed to maintain their constituents' support, with no corresponding action that might pose a risk to their careers. Is Kerry grandstanding? Most likely. But at least he's coming out on the right side of this. Democrats should stand up and fight, like they promised, or go home. And they have the nerve to keep sending me fund-raising letters going on and on about the threats to our republic, and why I need to give them money to keep up the fight. What fight?

Shapiro may very well be right that the battle was lost in the ineptitude of the first day of hearings. I know I was completely underwhelmed. Regardless, there needs to be some arm-twisting, some guts, and a little defiance. The Democrats need a Hammer. And it would help if they could produce a clear, concise, and compelling formulation along the lines of, "We can't in good conscience support a nominee who supports Bush's specious claims to an imperial presidency, and thus threatens the very fabric of the Constitution we are sworn to uphold and protect. If enshrining on the Supreme Court the usurpation of power advocated by those who seek to subordinate the other branches of government to the executive isn't an extraordinary circumstance, we don't know what is. We happen to believe in the Framers' wisdom, and will not panic in the face of terrorism (which is, after all, terrorism's objective) and throw out the separation of powers that has served our nation so well. We will not say to the world that we do not believe in our own brave words. We are saddened that the supposed patriots who call the loyal opposition traitorous do not have the same respect for the Constitution as do we; we are saddened by their fear, their readiness to abandon all principle, all belief in our democracy, in the face of a single attack. Are we not made of sterner stuff? We remind you that George Washington turned down the chance to be king. And now George Bush is asking us to install a justice who would willingly present him the same opportunity. We already know from Bush's willfully criminal disregard of US law in spying on US citizens without the warrants he could've easily obtained what his answer will be. General Washington is no doubt rolling in his grave, and we will not stand idly by and allow this to come to pass without a fight. We owe our forefathers and every dead soldier at least a fight. We may not prevail, but we will not be cowards in the face of terrorists. We will stand up and be counted. We will evince the courage of our convictions in our way of government, and posterity will judge us patriots, and those who would trade freedom for security, traitors and cowards."

I have a friend who's a former stripper, and she'd make a good therapist.