Copyrighted Image? DMCA | 12 years ago, when the Patriot Act was past, there were already wise voices who told us, "terrorism" was just a way to get a foot in the door, that in a few short years, its draconian, unconstitutional provisions, including torture and detention without charge, would be aimed at dissidents, organizers and political opposition. Today, it's even worse: journalists are being imprisoned for doing their job, for shining a public light on criminal activities of government officials and corporate fat cats. Webb was shot. Al Jazeera journalists are targeted with drones. Assange is a refugee in asylum. Swartz was hounded to death. Manning has endured 3 years of torture. The present article is about Barrett Brown, a journalist who served as conduit to that loose web of hactivists that remain Anonymous. He publicized a link to documents others had leaked. Now he is in prison awaiting trial. |