1. nytimes.com/2020/01/21/wor… A short thread about the prosecution of @ggreenwald. First to stipulate that I object to a lot of Glenn's writing over the last few years - my interpretation being that Glenn would invariably prefer to keep digging a hole than ever admit he was wrong.
2. Second - to say that this and other such opinions are utterly irrelevant to what is happening now. There isn't any doubt that what Glenn is being prosecuted for is legitimate journalism, and _very important_ journalism on the most important recent event in Brazilian politics.
3. Revealing the behavior of the judge - theintercept.com/2019/06/09/bra… - and the prosecutors - theintercept.com/2019/06/09/bra… - in Lula's case was a journalistic coup of the first importance, and a major contribution to the fight for Brazilian democracy.
4. That he is being prosecuted for doing his job as a journalist tells us how badly things are going in the Bolsonaro regime. Saying that, and making that clear is an important duty for people who care about democracy and the rule of law.
5. I think that it would be especially helpful for people who have good reason to detest Glenn to say so. It would be particularly helpful if people like @benjaminwittes and @Susan_Hennessey were to write for @lawfareblog about the case. Again, you don't need to _like_ Glenn
6. To recognize the important issues that are at stake here, regarding the rule of law and the selective use of prosecution as a political weapon against journalists. Nor do you need to take any broader position on Snowden or Assange.
7. The Greenwald case is a cut and dried example of legitimate journalism on trial, whether you like or detest the journalist in question. If it is any consolation, I would imagine that Glenn would likely find this kind of support _highly irritating,_ however practically welcome.
8. I should make it clear that this thread is mine and purely personal - I haven't consulted with anyone in writing it, and it does not reflect any of my official roles. Though, insofar as I am personally a kind of amateur journalist, it does reflect my personal views
9. On (1) the importance of journalism in a free society, and (2) a perceived general obligation on all who really value that free society to protect legitimate journalism, regardless of your feelings about the particular journalist in question. Finis.
