Woody Cavenaugh

Bloging History repeats itself. I have spent a great deal of time watching and thinking about this. We've Been Here Before. I heard it all in history, and english class. With the invention of the printing press ordinary citizens could have a greater voice. They created flyers and pamplets, they spoke out for what they believed in and against what they dispised. They attacked the government, society, politicians, the church, and personal enemies, nothing was spared from the newfound ability to get their message out. We remember their names Martin Luthor, Thomas Payne, and Jonathan Swift. The establishment hated and feared them. The establishment went after them. The establishment tried to stop them. Ultimately these print bloggers (ploggers?) changed the world. If you don't think so, then why do we still read their work in school?

So here we are again 2005. Apple sues bloggers over leaked information...BBC: "Bloggers. Truth-tellers or vigilantes? Trophy-hunters or watchdogs?"...Iranian blogger jailed for using his blog ot criticise the arrest of other online journalist..."...blogs do provide a potential end run around the traditional "gatekeeper" role of professional journalists"

Sued, jailed, attacked by the establishment, the cycle continues. Times were scary back in the day, might made right and freedom was just another word for "nothing left to lose" (sorry). Times are scary now, "freedom" is being taken from us replaced with something we are being told is "security". Secure from who?

But there too many of us to stop, though they will try anyway. And people and groups have banded together to aid the oppressed blogger like The Bloggers' Rights Blog, and the Committee to Protect Bloggers. These guys are keeping a running list of bloggers being attacked for speaking out for what they believe in and against what they dispise.

You might say I am being paranoid and alarmist, you might even be right, but I feel that things are going to get worse before they get better. What is now simply a blog nailed to the internet wall is one day going to be a revolution of some kind. It is my hope that I see you all on the other side of all of this free and safe.