Giving up any pretense?

That is, having been caught evesdropping on whomever they want, are the Bushistas now no longer even trying to pretend they aren't headed for a totalitarian state? At least, next up is a standing federal police force to back up that unlimited executive's desires.

"A permanent police force, to be known as the 'United States Secret Service Uniformed Division,'" empowered to "make arrests without warrant for any offense against the United States committed in their presence" ... "or for any felony cognizable under the laws of the United States if they have reasonable grounds to believe that the person to be arrested has committed or is committing such felony.

Doesn't that just boost your confidence? Can you hear the jack boots in the distance?

(via Medley)