silence the artists

This would be shocking, if we lived in a civilized country. But we don't, so it is merely outrageous.

Short version: A professor's wife died suddenly. He called 911. Police noted his history of political protest, noticed unusual art supplies (harmless bacteria; his specialty is the intersection of art and science) and some Arabic writing on an invitation to an art exhibit. He was arrested by the FBI and faced various outrageously made-up charges for 4 years, first for bioterrorism and when that was too ridiculous, mail fraud, which was also ridiculous, as the judge finally acknowledged.

This is your America, motherfuckers. Enjoy it.