But this:

U.S. Uses Terror Law to Pursue Crimes From Drugs to Swindling
By ERIC LICHTBLAU 1:52 PM ET
The Bush administration has begun using the Patriot Act with increasing frequency in many criminal investigations that have little or no connection to terrorism.

has been obvious for a while. When it reaches front-page NY Times status, though, it's not exactly undeniable but at least it has to be responded to.