First, thank you for your service to your country. I’ve said it before — I never stepped up and served. You did. It might have just been a job to you, so thank you.

Second, I found out this morning about Google and that was when I seriously reconsidered my own comment about this being Social Media’s 9-11. I still don’t think it is, but I do agree with you that yesterday’s hack attack could be looked upon as a precursor to a Social Media 9-11. Maybe yesterday could be the equivalent of the 1993 World Trade Center Attack. Reading and re-reading your comment here, I do not find your comment harsh, cold, or ugly. It’s the truth.

A few seasons back on 24, there was a sub-plot that never really went anywhere of terrorists attempting to take down the Internet with a virus that could, essentially, shut it down. All of it. Far-fetched? The way the Internet is designed, it would take a lot to do something like that. I’m sure some people could contest “Tee, that’s impossible…” but let’s face it — did we think it was possible that terrorists would be able to bypass security, hijack four planes, and take down two iconic structures of New York City and a section of the U.S. Military’s central command? (And what would have happened had the fourth flight reached their target?) I know that 24 is the best “SpyFi” out there, but I would also argue that the show is right in one respect: Information will be the next target. Imagine the utter chaos if suddenly people couldn’t tweet, couldn’t send messages via LinkedIn or Facebook, or couldn’t access blogs. Think about that. Consider the world J.C. Hutchins speculated in his 7th Son trilogy and in the Obsidian anthology. Terrorist want chaos and disorganization. Take down our access — or dare I say, dependency — on Information, and watch the mayhem commence.

Yes, I agree — the Administration and the Military should become involved. But I see your cold reality and raise you: With the exception of the White House, the rest of Washington D.C. has a LOT of catching up to do. I work as a freelance consultant in this area, and I have clients that include the U.S. government. There are standards and policies in place that are there to “protect” servers, but these policies are now keeping our government back in the Stone Age. (No kidding — there are offices on Capitol Hill running on DOS.) To best understand technology, you have to use it. The problem with Government 2.0 is the White House is way ahead of the curve, and now higher-up’s and IT “Support” jocks are scratching their heads at Social Media, not wanting to invest time to learning but feeling the pressure from the Commander-in-Chief to get on board. This is the reality of it.

Yesterday was the wake-up call. Let’s hope we do so.

-(yes, I have been in combat during my life in an unpopular war, and I have fought against a relentless enemy that never played by the “rules” that the US has considered as “fair”–there is no such criteria when dealing with these types of enemies)

And I meant after the Iranian election.

P.S. Tee, like the day/month/year format but at first I thought you were psychic.