Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, is holding up the United States Senate from passing a defense authorization bill to fund the troops in Iraq and a measure to provide further relief for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, simply to add a measure allowing big oil to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska.

This not only violates Senate rules, it is an abomination to thinking Americans everywhere and should be stopped.

Turn to C-SPAN 2 now to watch the debate live.

Read the AP story: Senate Vote on Alaska Oil Drilling Too Close to Call

Then call your Senators and object. Also call your local television news stations and find out why they are not covering this crucial time in the history of democracy. Even the cable TV news shows are ignoring this.