We've got a real problem in
NYC, where the police force is being transformed into an instrument of political intimidation, under the guise of protecting the populace from "terrorists." People warn that the abuse of power starts on a slippery slope. But I think recent history has demonstrated that it's more like cliff diving. As soon as political leaders carve out extraordinary powers in the name of fighting terrorism, they use them to investigate and infiltrate legitimate opposition organizations. This is happening at all levels now: the obvious constitutional crisis over Bushco's patently illegal wiretapping, Delay's outrageous use of Homeland Security apparatus to track the Texas legislators a while back and now, the NYPD being used to suppress a wide range of political and social dissent.
The Times has fallen down a lot lately, in its handling of Judy Miller and its coverage of Bush's illegal wiretapping. But I am glad The Times is at least covering this story. The examples cited are glaring cases of abuse, no matter what justification Bloomberg or Chief Ray Kelly attempts to mount. According to the article:
"Undercover New York City police officers have conducted covert surveillance in the last 16 months of people protesting the Iraq war, bicycle riders taking part in mass rallies and even mourners at a street vigil for a cyclist killed in an accident, a series of videotapes show."
Despicable.