Why is this in "From the Web?" Because it is literally from the web. Except for the subpoena and gag order. Those were quite IRL.
So what the heck happened? The full story is available at Reason.com and Popehat. Now, despite my not being a Libertarian by any means, I still read Reason.com sometimes. I disagree with them sometimes and sometimes I like what they say. Just depends. But, I really disagree with what happened. To sum it all up:
`Reason.com posts a blog post about the life sentence given to Silk Road creator Ross Ulbricht by judge Katherine Forrest. (Holy shit a life sentence is a bit much, imo).
`Commentors on Reason.com did their commenting thing and make comments about the judge. Some of the comments stated that the judge should "burn in hell," "be taken out back and shot," etc.
`The U.S. attorney for the Southern New York district court thought the comments represented a real threat and subpoened Reason.com for any and all identifying information they had on said commenters- I.P. info, etc.
`Reason was suggested to not tell anyone about the subpoena. They did warn the commenters that were being subpoenaed.
`Reason was then given a gag order
Eventually they did get the subpoena and gag order dismissed but this seems a little heavy handed.