Next week the Republicans will occupy lower midtown Manhattan with a security force--they used to be called armies--around 20,000 strong that includes 10,000 New York City police and a host of federal agents and tactical units under the supervision of the Secret Service. National Guard units will be placed on alert for call-up. Advisers from the Pentagon will doubtless be on hand as well, though in a more sub rosa capacity since the Rumsfeld DoD's wish to participate in domestic police actions has not yet received official blessing. Malice and plausible deniability are in the air: The NYPD's 35-page manual "Legal Guidelines for the Republican National Convention" takes ominous care to warn that protesters may impersonate officers and beat down their comrades to create the false impression of... More >>>