Ok, for the unenlightened. Imgur uses a "referrer block". Every request to imgur in HTTP sends a piece of metadata called the http_referrer, which is the (usually) the page with either the embedded image (as an img tag) or via a clickable link (via an href). Imgur parses that info and if the referrer is on their blacklist, as we are, the image isn't returned. If you copy the link, go to CNN.com and then paste the link in the address bar, it will work. Why? Because you forced CNN.com to be the referrer and it isn't blacklisted.