You're correct, those aren't my beliefs. Merely an observation.

> one of the means employed by tyrannical states

On the other hand, we're starting to see the opposite happen. People in positions of power who abuse their authority (e.g., police) are starting to be targeted by regular people whose lives they interfere with.

Have a Facebook/Twitter/Tumblr/MySpace/whatever account? Your personal information, friends, family, work history, etc. are available to the people you bully. Your actions have social consequences whether they're totally legal or not.

"I'm just doing my job" doesn't cut it when your job affects other people in a negative way.