i often come to the defense of boston, mah "little big city," especially when it comes up against its bigger, badder cousin, nueva york. but this time, im just embarrassed. boston has arrested and is trying Obey designer and street artist Shepard Fairey (also of the Obama "HOPE" picture fame) on charges disfigurement of public property or whatever ridiculous charge it is that they throw at street artists for doing creative things with otherwise under-utilized and under-appreciated urban space. they caught him wheatpasting in Brighton (mah old stomping ground, for those of you who go way back with me to the Samir era) and ARRESTED HIM. i am so embarrassed and dont really understand why a city that has such a reputation for relatively free thinking intellectualism would otherwise revert to its puritan founder's ideals. either way, its totally cringe-worthy. at least the charges were dismissed. read about it here: http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/04/14/artists_lawyer_says_7_vandalism_charges_dismissed/