More Patriot Act Shenanigans

As if we needed more proof that the Patriot Act isn't good for much more than trampling over the Constitution and citizens' rights. From Common Dreams:

http://www.commondreams.org/news2004/0603-13.htm

Three artists have been served subpoenas to appear before a federal grand jury that will consider bioterrorism charges against a university professor whose art involves the use of simple biology equipment.

The effect of this and all the other spurious uses of the Patriot Act -- even if the cases are eventually dropped -- is to completely chill free speech. The artists in question have to figure out a way to pay their legal fees regardless of when/if the government wises up and realizes this is ridiculous.

Add this to all the other instances that we know of -- the Art Car Museum, Raise the Fist website, others questioned for reading materials or anti-Bush posters in their homes -- and the fascism just keeps creeping.

If you've got some extra change (and I wish I did), you might throw some the way of the Critical Art Ensemble Defense Fund.