Pissing off the man

Most of us would expect "terrorism" to involve, roughly, a violent act against innocents, usually with some political motivation at end. But, really, it can mean any act that makes powerful people uncomfortable. Particularly when speech or press is involved.

 British Accuse David Miranda, Glenn Greenwald's Partner, Of 'Terrorism'

WASHINGTON, Nov 1 (Reuters) - British authorities claimed the domestic partner of reporter Glenn Greenwald was involved in "terrorism" when he tried to carry documents from former U.S. intelligence contractor Edward Snowden through a London airport in August, according to police and intelligence documents.

Greenwald's partner, David Miranda, was detained and questioned for nine hours by British authorities at Heathrow on Aug. 18, when he landed there from Berlin to change planes for a flight to Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.

See also:   Alabama Politics Blogger Jailed For Writings On Ex-Governor's Son

On Oct. 4, Riley asked a Shelby County court to hold the Shulers in contempt of court for violating a restraining order -- the court papers served by Lt. DeHart -- that directed them to "cease and desist immediately from publishing ... any defamatory statement about Petitioners, including, but not limited to, any statement that Petitioners had an extramarital affair." (Shuler appears to have represented himself in the case.) By Oct. 22, Shuler anticipated that he might wind up in jail, in a post accusing Riley of having a hand in the court orders issued in the case.

"Jay Murrill, an attorney at Riley's law firm who is representing his boss in the case, appears to have written an order to grant a preliminary injunction and seal the public file, plus an order to hold us in contempt," Shuler wrote. "If granted, the contempt order could subject us to incarceration."

And, of course: Orleans Parish Prison whistleblower who helped expose problems fears for his job

It was that apathy and lack of follow-up that prompted Collins to send NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune the photos of the bloody cell. He was on duty on June 6 when Edward Dean stabbed Brian Ellis. Dean was an inmate tier representative, a position that allowed him to enter Ellis' cell to serve food.


Collins described a weak investigation that didn't go anywhere until after Ellis' mother called. About a week later, Dean was rebooked into the jail on a charge of aggravated battery.


Gusman issued a statement at the time, saying Ellis' wounds were "superficial" and that he was transported to a local hospital "out of an abundance of caution."

On Thursday, Gusman stood behind those characterizations, saying the office "made full disclosure to the news media, the district attorney and all other interested parties" about the incident.


But despite that characterization, the district attorney's office charged Dean with a more serious felony, attempted murder, to which he pleaded guilty earlier this month.


Collins chafed at what he saw as another instance of the sheriff downplaying horrendous violence in the jail. So he sent NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune the photos.


The day after the photos were published, Collins said there was a roll call in which two high-ranking supervisors gave a chilling speech to the deputies. Collins' account was corroborated by another deputy who was present.


"The man is pissed," the supervisors reportedly told the guards. "We have a rat. Somebody is going to pay. You're going to learn that what happens here, stays here. When we catch this person, he will be arrested for malfeasance and go to jail. You're going to be left out on an island by yourself and no one's going to defend you. You will never get another job in law enforcement."

Not exactly sure what the litmus test is for labeling something terrorism, but asking whether or not "the man is pissed" is a pretty good place to start.