Shel outlines four recent incidents in top level blogs that illustrate the coming of age of blogging.  At first its all idealistic, and deservedly so.  But then with maturity comes complacence, and worse, a sense of divine right. 

In three of these new cases, my perception is that bloggers were trying to use their voice to intimidate other parties. In the fourth case, a potential employer was afraid that not hiring the blogger would give her cause to further embarrass the company by future postings. I’m sad to say their is legitimacy in the concern.

Source: Global Neighbourhoods: Blogging Blackmailers & Death wishers

As Shel sums up, blogs are personal, and survive based on the bloggers personal credibility.  The instances Shel notes above all contravene normal social standards, therefore hurt the bloggers’ credibility.  This is as it should be.