We are not at war. Maybe after Bush's speech tonight we will be, if Congress so votes. Not sure who we would declare war on but we'll see.

As I understand it, under State of Emergency declarations, the President has far more powers to temporally suspend things (already in Law). If War is declared by Congress, they have to start authorizing things like keeping the press out (deja vu: Desert Storm), suspending habeas corpus and so on.

BTW, the conspiracy sights are having a field day as their scenario for the powers that be getting rid of the Constitution, suspending elections and so on has always been for a permanant state of emergency to be declared.

But we should be troubled by the press thing. Censoring after the fact (as was done in WWII) is one thing. This is another and is a little ominous.

Regards

John