Boston bombing reveals a new American maturity toward insecurity

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17. States of seige or exception (suspension of constitutional rights) can go on for years. As in Chile

or Argentina. In real police states, as under Pinochet's Junta, corner stores stay open because they are ordered to do so. It becomes burdensome to have policemen delivering milk, even if it makes for great public relations. Most people go to work in the morning in police states, if their work is considered necessary to the state and society, and they have passed the required loyalty tests and aren't picked up after an informant drops a dime or surveillance identifies them with the "wrong people" saying the "wrong things."

After a while, it all seems very "normal." The tanks roll away out of sight, and most of the troops go back to barracks. Coworkers and neighbors who are no longer around aren't spoken about, except in hushed voices. I know the difference, Nadin. We aren't all the way there, yet, but are learning to get accustomed to some of the trappings here at the center of the Empire.