Yes and this is also psychologically desensitizing on a grand scale. The analogy that comes to mind is the frog in the pot of water.We no longer have the right of habeas corpus, speedy trial, a jury of our peers, or any of the rest of it--but ALMOST EVERYONE will still get those things. Only when the government decides to call you an "enemy combatant" and strip those rights do you suffer personally.
Doesn't the 'War on terror' qualify? And what constitutes an American citizen as opposed to a terrorist? Is someone that refuses to be biochipped still a citizen? How about the the 'extremist kooks' that 'rant' about the consitution?I may be wrong, but I believe RP said, in a state of emergency, meaning the specific imminent attack on american citizens, it would be up to the commander-in-chief whether to use torture or not because the constitution is silent on this. Implying that it wouldn't be a routine or continuing issue.