He may be dying a slow political death, he may have absolutely no moral credibility left, but apparently Trent Lott still has the power to shaft the survivors of the September 11 attacks.

Please recall that last week The New York Times reported that Lott was blocking the families' choice of Warren Rudman for one of the Republican slots on the 9/11 panel. Lott gets to choose a panel member; his choice is subject to a veto by John McCain and Richard Shelby, who are close to the surviving families. The families want Rudman. As of last week, Lott was saying no.

Apparently he's still saying no. Today's Times reported that Lott's appointee still hasn't been named. The due date is Sunday. In fact, as of this morning, three of the GOP appointees hadn't been named.

And now, of course, that number is up to four.

How is it possible for this morally bankrupt son of a bitch to continue to defy these families?