Were SWAT teams carefully observing the spirit of the announcement requirement by giving a vigorous knock, a full-throated announcement, and appropriate time for an occupant to answer, they'd be defeating the purpose of using paramilitary tactics to serve search warrants in the first place.

This article provides a good background on the erosion of the "knock and announce" rule and the problems (and deaths) it causes. There is a good case to be made that congressional action to limit no knock warrants might be a reasonable political response to the recent supreme court ruling (as are state efforts to limit land takings). OK, Democrats, heres your chance to do something I'd really get behind. Democrats? Hello?