Bloggers beware.  The Government is coming for you.  They might be reading this article and getting ready to knock on my door as you read this.  Bloggers need to become aware of the consequences they face when updating twitter or Facebook pages, writing a blog post, or messing around online.

The governments around the world have been cracking down on malicious posts, harassing twitterers, and Facebook Users with status’ that are negatively aimed at a congressman, government official, celebrities, or even a random person victim to cyber-crime.

The ‘blogging’ crimes have already taken place in many countries around the world.  In 2009, a 25 year old Iranian blogger, Omid Mir Sayafi, lashed out at Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and was jailed soon after because of it.

The words that spelled his doom:

“Mr Khamenei, can you love me as much as you love Sheikh Nasrallah’s son?”

In March of 2009, a month after his arrival, Sayafi allegedly committed suicide.  Another inmate had warned of Sayafi’s severe depression beforehand, but it was reportedly ignored.

Three years ago, a Chinese blogger was sentenced to 10 years in prison, and in Egypt a blogger was jailed for insulting Islam.

Is the world collectively losing the right to speak it’s mind?

And don’t think that the U.S. doesn’t apply to the growing trend.  Americans are just as subject to the crackdown as any other country.  The rules may not be as harsh, but they are there.

Twitter and Facebook users are steadily realizing that harassment online will be penalized the same as harassing someone in person.

Mike Lavender, a former public address announcer of San Antonio Spurs games, was arrested after he harassed a local TV reporter.  Lavender created a fake Twitter account for the sole purpose of harassing the woman and repeating over and over again that she was a home-wrecker, evil skank, and a bad role model.

Under Texas’ new law, it is a criminal offense to harass someone online.

Something like this incident is not alarming and does deserve reprimanding, but should a Facebook Status become a warrant for arrest?

Victims falling under this ‘crime’ are being sent to jail and held accountable for venting on a Facebook status!  Where does it end?  What has happened to freedom of speech in America?

The trend will eventually silence the minds of people who may have a radical idea, but are now afraid to voice it for fear of being prosecuted.  There needs to be a point where we draw the line, so the government doesn’t become too powerful and the citizens too weak.

Bloggers beware.  The internet will never be the same.