The disease appears more advanced in Britain

The Independent reports that it is now accepted that a state may spy on its citizens:

MPs should be treated in the same way as other citizens and will be given the same safeguards against wrongful tapping, the Prime Minister will say....Mr Blair was last night put on notice that any attempt to tap MPs' phones would be bitterly opposed in the Commons. Andrew Mackinlay, Labour MP for Thurrock, said it was a "hallmark of a civilised country" that its state did not spy on elected representatives.

But I gather it's perfectly OK to spy on citizens.

Via Samizdata.