It's finally coming into the open*, that which has been "known" for a long time - the New York State Police have compiled information on political and other prominent persons, and have used it to further both the NYSP's interests and the interests of those whom the NYSP might have reason to favor.  In other words - they've been acting as a species of secret police and political hit squad.

Within hours of the NYP article I linked to above, the new Governor - Patterson - took action to authorize the NYS AG (Andy Cuomo) to go after the NYSP.

So, a few more questions:

Does anyone seriously believe that, given the NYSP example of likely misuse of private or confidential information to b*tch-slap politicos into line, the feds (with, um, say, warrantless wiretaps of all of everyone's electronic emissions) would be similarly inclined to similarly misuse that sort of information to serve their own purposes?

Does anyone seriously believe that the revelations against Spitzer were not a political hit job first, last and always?

Does anyone seriously believe that the adultery questions the new Governor Patterson had to face and discuss within hours of his inauguration started from leaks from the NYSP or its friends, just to keep him in line?