Is the Bush administration creating the new Department of Homeland Security in its own image? It sure seems that way. This article in today's Washington Times if anything doesn't ring out the full measure of irony in the story's topic.

According to the article, the administration's proposed legislation specifically exempts the department from the federal whistleblower law and the Freedom of Information Act.

Didn't we find out about the problems that prompted the creation of the Homeland Security Department because of whistleblowers and releases of embarrassing information?

Perhaps it shouldn't come as such a surprise since the announcement of the plans for the department were timed to overshadow the very damning testimony of FBI whistleblower Coleen Rowley. But still, it's little short of astounding.

Why isn't more being made of this?