As usual, Glenn is right:

The right to be free of arbitrary executive imprisonment is -- and, since the founding of America, always has been -- a defining and distinguishing attribute of our country (notwithstanding shameful instances in our past where that right has been denied). All citizens -- including, actually especially, those sent to represent the people in Congress -- have an obligation to protect that right from government officials who seek to abolish it.

Having disgracefully abdicated that responsibility back in September because they wanted to win the midterm elections, Democrats -- now that they have won -- can cleanse their historic sin only by committing themselves, not symbolically but in actuality, to the restoration of habeas corpus. Whether they are willing to do so will speak volumes about their true character and about whether their November victory will result in anything other than some televised hearings. If Democrats are too afraid even to take a stand against the Bush administration in defense of this centuries-old core American liberty, it is impossible to imagine any even minimally risky stands they are willing to take.

Bingo. If the Dems don't restore habeas, that would mean that they have no plans to restore Constitutional government.

I don't want a kindler, gentler application of Fuhrerprinzip, or "better leadership," I want the Constitution back.

The House Armed Services committee may consider this matter today and tomorrow. Here are the numbers to call:

The most important members to contact are Ike Skelton, antiwar freshmen, and members of the Armed Services Committee.  Pelosi and Hoyer would be good too.  Each link below goes to that member's email form, and their phone numbers are to the right.  I've only included Democratic members of the committee since the decision on whether to make a vote will be made within the party - the full list of Armed Service members is here.

Call and ask them to restore habeas corpus and put it in the Defense Department Authorization bill.  This is an especially important message to deliver to freshmen members who have the moral credibility of having been in elected in 2006 in the teeth of Republican fear-mongering.

Leadership

Speaker Nancy Pelosi, (202) 225-4965

Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, (202) 225-4131

Armed Services Committee Democrats

Ike Skelton, Missouri, Chairman, 202-225-2876

John Spratt, South Carolina, 202-225-5501

Solomon P. Ortiz, Texas, (202) 225-7742

Gene Taylor, Mississippi, 202 225-5772

Neil Abercrombie, Hawaii, (202) 225-2726

Marty Meehan, Massachusetts, (202) 225-3411

Silvestre Reyes, Texas, (202) 225-4831

Vic Snyder, Arkansas, 202-225-2506

Adam Smith, Washington, (202) 225-8901

Loretta Sanchez, California, 202-225-5859

Mike McIntyre, North Carolina,  (202) 225-2731

Ellen O. Tauscher, California,  (202) 225-1880

Robert A. Brady, Pennsylvania, (202) 225-4731

Robert Andrews, New Jersey, 202-225-6501

Susan A. Davis, California, (202) 225-2040

Rick Larsen, Washington, (202) 225-2605

Jim Cooper, Tennessee, 202-225-4311

Jim Marshall, Georgia, 202-225-4311

Madeleine Z. Bordallo, Guam, (202) 225-1188

Mark Udall, Colorado, (202) 225-2161

Dan Boren, Oklahoma, (202) 225-2701

Brad Ellsworth, Indiana, (202) 225-4636

Nancy Boyda, Kansas, (202) 225-6601

Patrick Murphy, Pennsylvania, (202) 225-4276

Hank Johnson, Georgia, (202) 225-1605

Carol Shea-Porter, New Hampshire,(202) 225-5456

Joe Courtney, Connecticut, (202) 225-2076

David Loebsack, Iowa, 202.225.6576

Kirsten Gillibrand, New York, (202) 225-5614

Joe Sestak, Pennsylvania, (202) 225-2011

Gabrielle Giffords, Arizona, (202) 225-2542

Elijah Cummings, Maryland, (202) 225-4741

Kendrick Meek, Florida, 202-225-4506

Kathy Castor, Florida, (202)225-3376

Please rip this list off and spread it far and wide.

(Via the excellent MyDD).