Old Glory

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2474518/col_van_t_barfoot_90_wins_battle_against.html

This is a feel good story.  It’s not about cyber crime but the internet undoubtedly helped to spread the word.  The story involves one Col. Van T. Barfoot.  He is a 90 year old retired Army Colonel who served in WWII, Korea and Vietnam.  He is also one of a handful of living Medal of Honor winners from WWII.  His resume speaks for itself. The above video and article provide the beginning and end of the story but I will give you a brief summary here.  Everyday upon retiring from the military he has raised and lowered the American flag.  Now, the homeowners association in the community he is living in told him that he had to have the flagpole removed or face legal action; this was on or around December 3^rd 2009.  They are saying the flagpole takes away from the aesthetic view of the community.  On December 8^th 2009, after receiving support from 2 senators and a whole slew of bloggers and even a Facebook following, the homeowners association realized their error and decided to let the flagpole fly the flag of the country they enjoy so many freedoms under.  Another good thing that might come from this (The following statement is taken from the American Legion): Because of the controversy involving the 90-year-old Medal of Honor recipient, Rep. Howard P. “Buck” Mckeon (R-CA) and Republican Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA) introduced a resolution, H. Res. 952, allowing Congressional Medal of Honor recipients to properly display the United States flag on their property at all times.  This is one of the things that democracy is founded on; the ability and freedom to say that you want to take down a structure that flies the American flag and than having the resulting pressure from the media that reports it change your mind.

We have seen how the internet can be used in so many ways.  From financing the Bali bombings in 2002 to getting the word out about the above story, it can be used for harm and for good.  As we become more technologically advanced more and more reliance will be placed on computers and other similar technologies in an attempt to make life “better” for the human race.  This blog was focused on raising public awareness of the danger of cyber crime and also how they could do their part in combating it.  The public plays a major role in how effective criminal actions on the net can be and any little diligence on their part to combat this growing threat benefits not only the rest of the world but themselves as well.

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