NetNews Usenet Archive 1992 #27/NN_1992_27.iso/spool/sci/crypt/4826

Text File | 1992-11-15 | 3.9 KB | 78 lines

Newsgroups: sci.crypt
Path: sparky!uunet!pmafire!mica.inel.gov!ux1!news.byu.edu!eff!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!cs.utexas.edu!convex!convex!gardner
From: [e-mail] (Steve Gardner)
Subject: Re: the Right of Privacy
Sender: [e-mail] (news access account)
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Date: Sun, 15 Nov 1992 14:58:38 GMT
References: <[e-mail]> <[e-mail]> <[e-mail]>
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Organization: Engineering, CONVEX Computer Corp., Richardson, Tx., USA
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In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Terry Ritter) writes:
> Not now.  But future legislation could restrict the right to use
> cryptography to those who are willing to accept the possible audit
> of their ciphered information under due process.
    I think it has been shown that the toothpaste is out of the
    tube.  This is totally unenforceable.

> I guess the thing I find most irritating about this post is the
> attitude that somehow *you* get to decide what rules you will obey,
> or what you will *allow* government to do.  This seems strangely
> unlike the "rule of law" under which I must operate.
    What I have found most irritating about your posts in this
    string is your implicit assumption that we must bend our
    will to the government, no matter how ridiculous the demands.
    The simple fact is that our founding fathers would have done
    no such thing and they would be ashamed of the level of
    complacency and passivity on the part of modern americans.
    Every year around this time of year (veterans day) people
    wax eloquent about the sacrifices made to keep us free.
    Does anyone really listen??  I hope that when the time comes
    to force this corrupt and bureaucratic government-by-security
    agency to give up the intrusive powers it has acquired all of
    us will be up to the task.  The enemies aren't foreign anymore
    folks.  They live here and they have an enormous security
    apparatus with almost nothing to do (now that the USSR is
    history).  Where do you think these folks (who, after all want
    to keep their well paid jobs) will turn their attention?

> I'm really too old to be impressed by a swaggering attitude about
> what you will or will not permit government to do.  If such a law
> passes, you will comply or go to jail.  You can have a good swagger
> there.
    You sound like you approve of tyranny.  You actually seem to
    sympathize with the government don't you?

> The original reason for this thread was to prepare for a
> legislative contest by finding the best arguments against the
> unhindered use of cryptography, and then trying to defeat them.
    Poor soul.  You still believe in Santa Claus.

> Apparently, we must first teach the rule of law and the concept
> that legislation can prevent one from doing things which one
> wants to do.  It sounds a little like teaching maturity.
    Right.  Rule of law.  Worry about the rule of law when our
    government begins to obey it.  Look at the BNL scandal.  Good
    grief, why is the law just for citizens and not for the
    government?  You pretent to teach maturity!  If *you* would
    look around you, you would see that the last followers of
    the almighty rule of law are OUTSIDE of government.
    Slavish worship of the rule of law when it is only obeyed by
    the "serfs" is what you are advocating.  What would you have
    done at the Boston Tea Party?  "Oh, boys, you're violating the
    law.  You're going to get all that nice tea wet.  Our King isn't
    going to like that.  He might put you in jail.  You won't be
    getting any tea in jail. Do stop.  I beseech you to stop."
    ;-) ;-)

    Rule of law?  Nice concept wish it worked at the highest levels.


                        smg