Re: The problem of playing politics with our constitutional rights

[jonathon <grafolog@netcom.com>]

On Fri, 12 Sep 1997, Glenn Hauman wrote:

> Since you asked: about 20% of the US population has used the Internet or an
> online service in the past 30 days, according to Mediamark Research Spring
> 97. Under 40% own a PC at home, about 40% use one at work.
	
	Now how do you convince people that strong encryption is a very
	good thing.

	I'll lay odds that the majority of those people think that all
	encryption should be banned.   

	I know where I work, the idea that encryption should be legal
	is scoffed at.   <<  That includes the drug dealers that work
	there.  So much for the assertion that drug dealers use
	encryption. >>

	Hypothetical question:

	How will law enforcement deal with my 
	Enochian to Linear-B / Egyptian Hieroglyphics / Maya translation
	program, if encryption is banned?  It does provide clear text,
	albeit is a language that they don't understand.