Who's Reading This?

As a blogger I have read to be careful and aware of what you write because someone may be reading it. I've read that if a blogger is blogging to make money online that there are certain rules and requirements for writing opportunities that a blogger should follow; writing content must be unique, a blogger must not copy someone else's content and writers should try and keep a positive tone. And in a whole another ball field and just as interestng and scary, I read this BBC News article yesterday, "Bloggers' search for anonymity", the internet has given the individual unprecedented power to reach out to millions but some governments are cautious, even hostile, to giving their citizens free access to ideas they deem too democratic and dangerous. Big Brother is watching you again. And what if I write the phrase "Down With Big Brother" criticizing the government in this blog entry? Will someone from the government come and arrest me while I am in class taking an exam? Well, according to the BBC News article, that's exactly what happened in Syria. In Cuba, Egypt and Tunisia, they all censor and even lock up journalists and bloggers. And who, what publishers will be exempt from this? Is this thought crime at work in George Orwells 1984 novel? This is why the media rights group, Reporters Without Borders, has published The Handbook for Bloggers and Cyber-Dissidents. It's pretty technical but it also contains some simple tips, so you can say what you think without having to worry the censors or cyber-police too much. Here is a great quote: In Germany they came first for the Communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist. Then they came for the Jews and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me, but, by that time, no one was left to speak up. Martin Niemoeller, Pastor (1892-1984). First it was them, and then it was me. Whose gonna be left when big brother comes? And what does this have to do with a No Police State? I have added a sitemeter visitor counter to this site today at the very bottom of the page because I am not even sure how may people are visiting this page myself. It's Sunday again. Why am I blogging today, it's supposed to be a day of rest. Have a great day.