Chertoff - U.S. Needs More Authoritah!

Department of Homeland Security chief Michael Chertoff made the following statement on Sunday -

There is no evidence that terrorists were working within the United States as part of a plot to detonate explosives on airliners, but U.S. officials remain on guard after last week's arrests in Britain and Pakistan.

He continues -

"As we speak right now, we have not found any indication of active planning in the U.S. or plans to conduct operations within the U.S.,"

But Chertoff reasons, arrests in Britain demonstrate the need for more "security". According to the AP -

The nation's chief of homeland security said Sunday that the U.S. should consider reviewing its laws to allow for more electronic surveillance and detention of possible terror suspects, citing last week's foiled plot.

Michael Chertoff, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, stopped short of calling for immediate changes, noting there might be constitutional barriers to the type of wide police powers the British had in apprehending suspects in the plot to blow up airliners headed to the U.S.

So basically Chertoff is saying there is NO evidence that ANYTHING is being planned that they are aware of, yet we need MORE surveillance and security. Darn those constitutional barriers!
The Real Effect
On Friday I stated the following -

Watch for the story to die down, yet the call to "vigilance" and "protection" grows while pushing the conclusion of the story aside.

So what does Chertoff say?

"the U.S. is remaining vigilant for other attacks"

So, let's sum up. No threat to the U.S., no new threats to the U.S. but more power and authority needed to stop future non-threats.

Sheer brilliance.