Re: Clipper (Re: Dorothy Denning)

[m5@vail.tivoli.com (Mike McNally)]

Robert Cain writes:
 > > 2) Some kinds of technology greatly enhance our [the
 > >    government's] power if we control them.
 > 
 > 	2) Some kinds of technology greatly enhance the power of those
 >         that are ruthless and dangerous.

Gee, these statements seem kinda similar...

 > > 3) Crypto Technology is a major threat to our power unless we
 > >    control it. 
 > 
 > 	2) Crypto technology could well be a major threat to the
 >           world's safety unless we control it.

I don't understand why I can't participate in making that decision.
Why should I trust the government to do so in a way that's even close
to representing my values?  Isn't this supposed to be a representative
democracy?  How did such decisions get moved out of the realm of
public debate?

 > > 4) Maybe we can stop it if we act quickly, at a cost to society
 > >	   that's low enough that we won't cause a major revolt
 > 
 > 	4) Maybe we can stop it if we act quickly while still providing
 > 		 society the benefits it wishes.

Uhh...  I'd rather not pay my government to "provide" me with
"benefits" like privacy; I'll take care of that myself, thanks.

 > > 5) If we pull that off, the success will help consolidate our power.
 > 
 > 	5) If we pull that off, the success will help protect society
 >           from being disrupted, damaged or held hostage by those
 >           wishing power. 

Says who?  Why should I believe it?

 > > 6) The public believes almost anything we tell them, at least for
 > >       a while, as long as we sound sincere.
 > 
 > 	6) The public feels we are interested in their private lives
 >            and we must change that perception toward our actual
 >            concerns. 

Yea right.  Pull the other one.

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