In the great dystopia novel, 1984, George Orwell describes a police state regime which uses friends, neighbors, and even children to spy and report to "Big Brother" about their neighbor's movements and 'suspicious' activities.

It seems that lately the governments of the west have taken a cue from George Orwell and are beginning to encourage more active citizen spying.

In Britain

the police have encouraged citizens to report any suspicious behavior using their "instinct" as a guide.

we are not that far behind. President Bush gave us the Patriot Act and President Obama has personally outlined a plan for a civilian police force.

"We cannot continue to rely on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives that we've set. We've got to have a civilian national security force that's just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded."