It has been interesting, these past few weeks, having Barrett work at D Magazine. Seems like I get a Google alert every couple of days or so about something he’s involved with. Interviews with other media. Efforts to overthrow the government. It’s all fine with me so long as he gets his work done. Just today I shouted, “Brown! I need you at the City Council meeting tomorrow to see if Tiffinni Young is really going to get this Sean Johnson elevated to vice chair of the Parks Board!” Barrett sits about 8 feet from me, but I shout for two reasons: 1) it makes me feel powerful, and 2) Barrett is deaf in his left ear. Or he’s deaf in his right ear. I forget which.

In any case, just a bit ago I got another Google alert, and I think this one is worth calling your attention to. From the Washington Times: “The Justice Department was sued in federal court Tuesday on behalf of hundreds of donors whose otherwise anonymous political contributions were secretly monitored by the FBI. Attorneys filed the class-action complaint in San Francisco federal court this week on behalf of individuals who previously contributed to a now-defunct legal fund established for Barrett Brown …”

When I read the story, I shouted, “Brown! I need an official statement from you concerning this lawsuit!” And here it is: