BellaOnline Forums News and Politics Independent Parties Blogger arrests on the rise...

If you have read Orwell's 1984, then this article will remind you of the thought police and thought crimes.

Read: Governments step up blogger arrests

Yes, it was required reading in high school days. The book really stuck with me. I read the article and it definitely makes me think twice about voicing my political views on Bella or any other blog sites. Bloggers Beware - You're being watched!

Hi Deb,

Yeah, I just got done reading 1984. I didn't get a chance to read it in high school. I read Animal Farm, but I can't remember how the story went, it's been over 10 years for me. I might have to reread it.

I am concerned myself, since I am a political writer and an Independent. My mom is concerned for me, I wrote a letter to the editor and it got published in the paper recently--I was critical of the president and the government. Why do we have to be afraid of freedom of speech in this country? I find that it is a sad thing for us as Americans to be afraid of voicing our opinions.

Also, my husband is in the military but, he is so supportive of me and he was the one who inspired me to the truth.

I already have some conflicts with friends and family because of my views, so I tend to avoid politics when I am with them. It's kind of lonely to have such controversial views, but I do have some like-minded friends.

Cynthia -
Actually, I would say that Bella is one of the more liberal places to voice your opinions openly and honestly without suppression and ridicule. Being an editor on Bella gives you a great amount of editorial freedom to flex your views anyway you see fit without a senior editor stepping in and saying, "You can't say that." As long as you are following rules set forth by Bella (you know them) you are in the clear to research and use your own voice in your articles, which is very empowering as a writer and a woman. Don't be concerned and tell your mother not to worry about you on the Bella site. And you have a huge backing of fellow editors as well.

If your friends are uncomfortable with political conversation, then I would leave the shop talk alone and come to this forum for that kind of interaction. At the same time, you can always invite them to read your articles on your site. They might surprise you and sneak peeks to see what you have to say.

P.S. Don't feel lonely, your never alone here.

Hope this helps.

Thank you Deb for the word of encouragement! I don't feel lonely here at Bella, at all---it's awesome here! It's just some of my friends and families, the people I care about most that concerns me sometimes. But, I guess that's what you get when you're a writer--especially editorials. Bella is my voice that I get to express to a wider audience and I am so thankful to be accepted as the Editor for the Independent Parties site.