Re Luca's point about network-manager v WICD, I can confirm exactly the
same behaviour using the rt73USB module (I'm still running Gutsy).

I've switched to WICD for 2 reasons.
1.. easier WPA password management.
2. doesn't clutter the logs with stuff at startup.

However, my logs are now cluttered with messages like.

Apr 16 13:22:16 neil-12inch kernel: [17398.124000] wlan0: authenticated
Apr 16 13:22:16 neil-12inch kernel: [17398.124000] wlan0: associate with
AP 00:16:b6:ca:b2:cb
Apr 16 13:22:16 neil-12inch kernel: [17398.164000] wlan0: RX ReassocResp
from 00:16:b6:ca:b2:cb (capab=0x471 status=0 aid=2)
Apr 16 13:22:16 neil-12inch kernel: [17398.164000] wlan0: associated
Apr 16 13:22:20 neil-12inch kernel: [17402.160000] wlan0: RX
deauthentication from 00:16:b6:ca:b2:cb (reason=1)
Apr 16 13:22:20 neil-12inch kernel: [17402.160000] wlan0: deauthenticated
Apr 16 13:22:21 neil-12inch kernel: [17403.160000] wlan0: authenticate
with AP 00:16:b6:ca:b2:cb
Apr 16 13:22:21 neil-12inch kernel: [17403.164000] wlan0: RX
authentication from 00:16:b6:ca:b2:cb (alg=0 transaction=2 status=0)
Apr 16 13:22:21 neil-12inch kernel: [17403.164000] wlan0: authenticated

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