More on the torture "deal" - sand in the vaseline

reading about the machinations behind the torture bill "deal," i can't even find it in my heart to be outraged... all i want to do is sit down and cry...

Legislators of conscience should filibuster the Torture Bill, but there's just about zero chance of that happening -- there will be enough Dems who need to be "tough on" … whatever they're supposed to be tough on this week to get cloture just a month before a big election. The Nelsons will bite, as will Lieberman, and probably Martinez in that tough race in Jersey, maybe Cantwell -- just to name a few obvious ones. But even if they could muster the votes (and the cojon), the Repubs would be all over the airwaves whining about how they're coddling terrorists and hate babies and puppies.

This measure was right out of Rove's playbook for holding onto the House and Senate, and it was executed perfectly. Meanwhile, the Dems didn't even get in the game, apparently believing -- for reasons that are truly unfathomable -- that McCain and the other "mavericks" would, just this once, stick to their guns and do what's right.

Last week, the AP quoted Harry Reid (D-NE) saying the Dems were sitting on the sidelines "watching the catfights" among Republicans and quipping that the GOP was debating border security "because they have nothing else to do." Well, Harry, they found something to do. And you're the sucker this time.

As Chris Bowers pointed out last week, if the Dems don't turn out their base in big numbers this November, all the happy prognostications of a big win are going to dissipate like a puff of smoke in the wind. The fact that millions of progressives have to sit by and watch this debacle unfold with nary a peep from those supposedly on their side isn't going to help

Digby notes that as well, before summing the whole thing up quite neatly, if depressingly:

Here's how the optics look to me:

McCain, the Republican rebel maverick, showed that Republicans are moral and look out for their troops.

Bush, the Republican statesman and leader, showed that he is committed to protecting Americans but that he is willing to listen and compromise when people of good faith express reservations about tactics.

The Democrats showed they are ciphers who don't have the stones to even say a word when the most important moral issue confronting the government is being debated.

That about covers it. I need a drink.

i've lost my country...

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