Security certainly was stepped up at the federal courthouse in Boise this week, as preparations began for the terrorism trial of Sami Omar Al-Hussayen. In the courthouse parking lot on Monday, under brilliant spring sunshine, there seemed to be an officer about every 15 feet.

When a local TV cameraman showed up to film some video of the outside of the courthouse, a guard stopped him, saying that where he usually works, in L.A., no photographing of the courthouse is allowed.

Fortunately, other guards quickly set the record straight – Boise’s not L.A. And though no cameras are allowed in the courthouse, let alone in the courtroom, it’s still OK to film outside.

In fact, court officials have graciously set aside prime parking for TV satellite trucks, and found a way to allow interviews in a spot that’s outside a 50-foot security zone, but still on the courthouse steps. So all systems are go.

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