To Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN):

As a native Minnesotan and former constituent of yours, I would like some explanations from you regarding your decision to join with 53 other GOP Senators in blocking a bipartisan commission that would investigate the tragedy surrounding Hurricane Katrina.

The Democrats aren't afraid to face the judgment of an impartial, independent commission, voting unanimously in favor, yet for some reason the GOP voted unanimously against this measure. Are you so sure that the finger of blame will point squarely at yourselves? What do you fear from an honest evaluation of what may have gone wrong, considering that such an evaluation may save lives in the future by helping us to avoid repeating these mistakes? Why do you want to leave America open to future terrorist attacks by refusing to examine and improve our emergency response measures? It appears that Republicans put their party loyalty ahead of the lives and safety of American citizens...if this is untrue, then how else can you explain your disgraceful vote?

You, and your 53 cowardly compatriots, have let down the American people and ignored the voices of the people who put you in office. You, personally, have betrayed the state of Minnesota and the people you are supposed to serve. Shame on you.

(Letter sent 10pm EST)

If you are unfortunate enough to be represented by one of the 54 GOP Senators who voted to quash the independent, bipartisan Katrina commission, I strongly urge you to write them and demand some answers. However, I think we've got most of the answers we need from their votes; the Democrats vote 100% support for a fair appraisal of what happened during the Katrina disaster, while the GOP unite in their cowardly shrinking from responsibility...because they know exactly where most of the blame rests. Americans, across party lines, are asking for this independent commission, but it appears that only the members of one party are prepared to behave as representatives of the people. It's a rare day when I can find something nice to say about the Democratic party, but today they earned it: good work, Dems, you've earned my support in '06.

UPDATE 9/15: Americablog is spearheading another "Senate phone-in" over this issue. The last one, over the lynching issue, was pretty successful, and I think this effort has even more potential. Visit Americablog here for a handy-dandy list of emails and phone numbers for the Shameful 54, and remind these jackarses that it's their job to listen to the people.

Oh and FYI, those of you who know the number of GOP Senators were probably asking (as Aleks did in the comments), "So who abstained from this vote?" Believe it or not, it was the Senator from Louisiana. Yeah. So. I'm just saying.