The old saying "Never put anything in writing that you're not prepared to see on the front page of the newspaper" is more true today than ever.  Now they tell us "The Internet is written in ink".  Once released into cyberspace, things never go away.

If you don't believe it, just ask any of the diplomats whose confidential cables are getting published this week around the world on WikiLeaks.  Just ask anyone whose private conversations are played in court.  Just ask any executive whose business musings ended up getting used against him or her.  Believe it.  You know it's true.

The answer is to write and say things you are prepared to see in the newspaper.

If you speak your truth consistently, you should not have a problem with who sees it.  We've been told this for years:

"Never say anything behind someone's back that you would not say to their face."

"Never tell a lie."

Only now, the odds are that sooner or later people will hear what you say about them and the lies will out.  You can still choose your truths, just know that almost everything is for public consumption eventually.