I'm not sure whether the collective temper-tantrum over Alito is over or not, but I did want to explain what MY next move is going to be, as a person who believes in the future of this country. I was asked by a nice poster, who is the mom of a toddler, "How do I create change?" And here are some things that each and every one of us should try. I promise that they will be much more personally satisfying that sending a brazillion email faxes or even calling the Capitol switchboard.
First, you need to find out who your local political movers and shakers are. In my area, the main guy to contact is the chair of the county's Democratic party. You can call up that person and say, "Hey, what are we doing to get organized for 2006? How can I help?" Something that we've never tried before is to have precinct captains walk precincts when we are not actually trying to promote a candidate, and to find out what the people are thinking and worrying about. This would enable us to frame the issues in such a way as to meet those needs and concerns.
You can also get involved with your local group of activists and find out how you can collectively participate in the next election cycle. Where I live, there is a group called the Progressive Voter Alliance, which meets monthly, and plans "action days." Last week a big group took a bus up to Santa Fe to lobby for an increase in the minimum wage.
If there is a college campus near you, why not lend a hand to helping the local Young Democrats, or encouraging students to form a chapter? I saw someone in front of the student center on my campus last week registering voters. Sponsoring film series and debates is also a worthy activity in the "off season."
Be a public intellectual. Write letters to the editor. Write guest columns. If they are logical and well-reasoned, they will have an impact on people who would ordinarily never agree with you enough to come looking for Daily Kos. In the words of Joe Hill, "Don't mourn--organize!"