The Internet is David's 21st Century Sling

Know the story of David and Goliath?

It's an Old Testament story about a man named David (who later become Kind David) who faces and defeats Goliath, an enemy many times more deadly than David due to superior size, strength and armament. David defeated Goliath with a sling and a well-aimed stone. David's victory averted a war that threatened his nation.

The term "Goliath" refers to anything we consider to be gigantic, a behemoth, especially one that's in some way menacing. The story of David and Goliath has become a well-worn metaphor for the struggle between the common man and any number of large, menacing institutions, including corporations and the government.

Now, in the 21st century, the Internet has become David's sling.

Witness the Maine Web Report a blog from which David, in the guise of Lance Dutson, is hurling stones at the Maine Office of Tourism (at http://www.maine.gov/portal/visiting/ and http://www.visitmaine.com), and scoring resounding hits.

Sadly, rather than facing this David on a level field of battle (the Internet), this Goliath is allowing contractors to wage a campaign of intimidation against Lance and his family. Lance has received intimidating email, snail mail and phone calls. His wife and his wife's employer have been contacted in an effort to discredit him. Even some of his own clients have received phone calls bemoaning his blog as defamatory.

Rather than facing this David in open discussion on the Internet, this Goliath is sneaking behind enemy lines to wage a war of disinformation and terrorism against non-combatants -- namely Lance's family and his clientele.

And if you think I'm sensationalizing this, I dare you to read his blog.

It makes for fascinating, and frightening, reading. Frightening in that a government agency will allow a citizen's First Amendment rights, and the security of his family, to be so threatened over what is essentially a difference of opinion.

Highly recommended.