I'm Being Paranoid, Right?
I just spent the last 3 hours (damn I love free time) writing a post arguing for President Bush's impeachment. Now I'm afraid to post it.
My fear stems from the following facts: (1) I'll be working for the federal government. (2) My blog is near the top when you Google my name. (3) I am calling for the removal of THE top federal government official. (4) Meredith recently lost a job opportunity when she criticized a potential employer. I don't know whether this is related to the recent disappearance of her blog.
Am I being cowardly or paranoid? Or am I being sensible? Should I post the blog entry?
My fear stems from the following facts: (1) I'll be working for the federal government. (2) My blog is near the top when you Google my name. (3) I am calling for the removal of THE top federal government official. (4) Meredith recently lost a job opportunity when she criticized a potential employer. I don't know whether this is related to the recent disappearance of her blog.
Am I being cowardly or paranoid? Or am I being sensible? Should I post the blog entry?
posted by Ben at
3:21 PM
7 Comments:
Mer said she removed her blog temporarily while applying for positions. In theory it will return eventually.
I'd need to read the post (which you can feel free to email me, although they probably scan emails too), but given that you have already pointed out that you are in favor of impeaching Dubya, I don't see how a specific argument supporting that opinion could do anything but help your cause.
You're not the only one who has chosen not to post an entry due to fear of government scrutiny. I too have posts lingering that I am fearful to post. In the best of times, we could feel safe that dissent is recognized as a necessary element of a democratic government. These, I fear, are not the best of times.
By
Mike, at 5/19/2006 3:35 PM
You could post it somewhere anonymously, or under a pseudonym.
I'd be glad to post it someplace for you, if you like. If it were under your name, but on a page unrelated to you, people searching for your name might not find it.
But yeah, since you've already written that you want Bush impeached, you might as well go the whole way and post it.
By
Anonymous, at 5/19/2006 4:16 PM
I think the only good reason for not posting it would be if you honestly think it might cost you your job. And maybe you should just check in with your employer regarding how they feel about blogs discussing the federal government (generally, I wouldn't offer up any specifics). If you get the ok, then you're ok. If you don't, then you know, and if you choose not to post you aren't being paranoid - you're being smart.
By
Matthew B. Novak, at 5/19/2006 5:18 PM
I'd really like to read it. Email it to Mike and I'll get it from him
By
Anonymous, at 5/19/2006 5:46 PM
Honestly, Mike, it's less that I fear government surveillance than that I fear employer disapproval that could have consequences for me....whether that employer is public or private. And yeah, Meredith's experience plays into this a lot for me.
HMIB, who are you?
By
Ben, at 5/19/2006 6:11 PM
My name is J. Bishop, if that's what you mean.
I found your site when searching for posts about "United 93", and then found this post.
By
Anonymous, at 5/19/2006 9:30 PM
Hi Ben -
My blog is back up. I wanted to wait until my new employers came to love and adore me (sort of) before the reappearance.
(meredith)
By
mkg, at 5/25/2006 9:44 AM
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