It may still be too early to be certain, but there are definite signs that Democratic leaders in Congress may have found themselves a spine.

First, the House passes a bill to continue funding the occupation of Iraq -- but only for a short while, and only under the condition that we end the occupation of Iraq sooner rather than later. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has promised to follow suit.

Then, the Senate Judiciary Committee votes along party lines to report out a FISA bill that doesn't contain retroactive immunity for phone companies that violated our privacy. (The bill passed by the House doesn't have immunity either.)

Meanwhile, Congress is sending appropriations bills to the White House that are destined to be vetoed.

Is it possible that Democrats have finally realized that they can win? Do they finally get the fact that if the Republicans, from Bush to his congressional minions, block these bills, Americans will blame them for defying the will of the people? Do they get that if Bush and the Republicans go so far as to shut down the federal government and deprive the military of what it needs to keep troops in Iraq they will be blamed for hurting America?

Personally, I'm still nervous. I believe that we all need to keep the heat on -- send praise for the work recently done (because they actually deserve praise), but let them know that they cannot back down now. The tide may be beginning to turn, but it's going to take a tremendous effort to keep things moving in the right -- make that the "correct" -- direction.

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