Surveillance state reinforced

Here's a link to the Register's editorial on the surveillance law passed by Congress and signed by Bush in the frantic hours before the August recess. It has a few details I wasn't able to get into last night's blog. Needless to say, it reflects a mindset on the part of the administration that whatever surveillance it feels like undertaking shold not only be permitted but applauded, and that the constitution and existing laws are merely unfortunate inconveniences to be circumvented -- preferably in secret, but if necessary by hyping threats and buffaloing timid Democrats.