Senate likely to pass START treaty today, despite personal issues in GOP

Yesterday, the U.S. Senate voted to advance the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START). Today, they are expected to vote in favor of ratification.

This is good, because the treaty will reduce U.S. and Russian weapons stockpiles and provide protocols for ongoing verification of compliance. After all, why do we need to have enough nuclear missiles to destroy every civilization on Earth several times over? Why the hell would we want to?

But yesterday 28 Republicans voted against the treaty. I wonder why.

Are they just being contrary -- again?

Do they miss the dangerous excitement of the Cold War?

Or is it something much more personal? After all, nuclear missiles are the ultimate phallic symbol.