  I rarely write about current affairs or political matters, not because I am not interested (the truth is quite the opposite), but rather because others do it much better than me. Sometimes, however, the issues are too important not to stand up and be counted. Here in the west we take our freedoms fore granted. We go about our daily business safe in the knowledge that we live in democratic countries where our rights are safe guarded. We grumble and perhaps even demonstrate when governments intrude too far into our private lives and limit our choices in some way. Object loudly to 'the nanny state'. Here in the UK we endlessly debate the European Union and form political parties to protect our 'sovereignty'. 'We' do not want our freedom to act to be curtailed by 'foreigners'. And while our attention is focused on the continent and the rights of government to intervene in the eating habits of its citizens, our fundamental freedoms are quietly eroded almost without comment. The 'War on Terror' and the blood and guts war in Iraq are also big issues. Ones that most people have a strongly held opinion on.
Many people write, speak, and comment on the injustices that have grown out of our fears. Our attention firmly fixed on the safety of our soldiers, our cities, our citizens abroad; many of us have failed to notice the insidious tightening of a noose around our necks. The USA invents a new category of prisoners of war, 'unlawful combatants', removing the protection of international law in one move. The British government gains an exemption from human rights legislation in order to detain suspected terrorists indefinitely without trial.
Joe public nods his head and says nothing. After all these people have given up their rights through their own inhumanity and besides, those of us with a clear conscience have nothing to fear. Or do we? urlLink Steve Kurtz , Assistant Professor of Art at the Carnegie Mellon University and a well respected artist in his own right is under investigation by the FBI. Last weeks several of his colleagues appeared before a Grand jury in Buffalo and further appearances are expected to follow next month. The story of how Professor Kurtz has found himself in this situation reads like something from 'The Twilight Zone'. On 11th May, Kurtz awoke to find that his wife of many years lay dead beside him. He dialled 911 and a bizarre series of events was set in motion: 'Paramedics, fire-fighters and police responded and found Hope Kurtz dead. Tests would show she suffered heart failure. Foul play was not suspected, and it would have been an open-and-shut matter but for one thing. The emergency responders discovered a home laboratory containing bacteria samples, petri dishes and equipment to analyze DNA. What authorities did next set the stage for an ongoing federal investigation with tentacles stretching to Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh.
Although Kurtz explained that the materials were for an upcoming art installation by his group, the cutting-edge Critical Art Ensemble, as well as research for a book, law enforcement was not taking the State University of New York professor at his word. Suspicions aroused, Buffalo authorities contacted the local Joint Terrorism Task Force, eventually leading to a federal search warrant executed by agents in hazardous materials suits, some of them from the Pittsburgh FBI field office. For 36 hours, they traipsed through Kurtz's house. They confiscated scientific apparatus, computers, research books whose subjects reportedly included bioterrorism and biowarfare, and correspondence.
' (Source urlLink Pittsburgh Post Gazette ) Despite explanations that the materials found were for an upcoming art exhibition by critical Art Ensemble of which Professor Kurtz is a member with an international reputation, the investigation continues, although no one seems to know which laws he has apparently broken of what charges the FBI are considering. The case has far reaching implications for both the artistic and scientific communities and is being closely monitored by both.
It has sparked a global network of support for urlLink Steve Kurtz and fuelled the debate about the extension of government powers post September 11th. It seems that governments have very long arms indeed and for those of you who believe, as I did, that they are entitled to voice their opinions freely in cyber space, I suggest that you think again. 'Someone' may be reading your blog and if they don't like your views... Last month I reviewed urlLink Someone Else's Life as my contribution to the Aortal Open Portal Project. One of my long time favourite blogs, the author, Blackrat, writes with a sharp eyed humour and intelligence that often sparks long running debates in his comments. As a free lance journalist he spent some time in Iraq earlier this year and wrote some fascinating posts on the subject from a personal perspective.
A short while after his return home the blog fell silent. His many readers, including me, had become increasingly puzzled and concerned by his uncharacteristic silence. Then last Friday Blackrat posted for the first time since the 14th of May: 'Where have I been? Nowhere unusual (although it hasn't been entirely dull either, although more of that later. ) It appears that my coverage of a certain conflict and my reports from within did not meet with widespread approval and some, er, 'influential' people across the Pond discovered my blog and took issue with some of its content.
Governments may try, indeed, they may believe it desirous for them to keep a handle on what 'news' emanates from within a combat zone, but the internet and contemporary technology are proving more worthy adversaries in their attempts to do this than perhaps had been envisaged. Journalists and governments are always going to be diametrically opposed in these matters with incompatible objectives and compromise is a difficult thing to reach. I haven't exactly been 'gagged' but...hey, go figure. You do the math. ' I had to read the entry several times before I could actually believe what I was reading. So much for the freedom of speech and freedom of expression. It seems that we are not only to be protected from terrorism but from artists and journalists too. Doesn't that make you feel so much safer when you go to bed at night? 
