Thanks to Mukasey, Kaplan, King, those overseeing the treatment of Manning, and others, the embrace of cruel standards when it comes to alleged enemies of the state is gaining traction. These officials and former officials seem to be part of a process, remarkably uncommented upon, that is turning previously unthinkable rhetoric into normal discourse and intolerance into a rationale for challenging the rights of anyone accused of violating the country's security. Â
...At an increasingly rapid pace, the boundaries of acceptable civil discourse are being crossed, and rights in America are being tossed away -- at least when it comes to national security issues.