I know that no overt part of the actual post becomes public. It's the revelation of its existence that gives me pause, and the fact that it reveals that a specific person was discussed, thereby revealing the tiniest bit of something contained in a locked post to someone who didn't have access to it. I've got loud scruples about that sort of thing.

I also do know about the issue of hosting content outside of LJ and linkage to it.

You're probably right about the feasibility (or lack thereof) of trying to selectively block Google Analytics in that way. I was afraid that was the case when I commented, even though I'm not a tech-head. This is one major reason I wish that Dreamwidth would rethink the whole idea.

All that said, though, if it only operates on links, then I'd assume that safe venting could still take place in a post that was text only, unless a more invasive version of it comes along. If this is true, and we're all aware of the presence and pitfalls of Google Analytics, maybe I shouldn't worry quite as much. I'm still not wild about it, though. Too much fodder for the rumor/whisper mill, if it gets used a lot 'intramurally', as it were.

Catherine