🚀 go-pugleaf

In <CnDwG0.K17@reptiles.org> jim@reptiles.org (Jim Mercer) writes:

>lets say a bunch of zealots decide the US decision is totally bogus, and
>start ftping banned stuff into US ftp sites.

three cheers for the zealots

>this results in the management of such sites shutting them down
>out of fear of an NSA/FBI/CIA audit of their archives.
>don't think this will happen?  guess again.

I *do* think this will happen. I live here, and I am involved in
writing public commentary on our governments shocking policies on
cryptography.

>how are you going to feel when your favourite archive is closed down for a few
>days while they clean it?

Hopeful that the minute it is up, someone will restore the banned material.

>what if the zealots are so clever, that they automate the whole thing.

I like these guys more and more every day.

>management cannot set up an automatic process for cleaning, so their
only
>option is to monitor all incoming files.  this proves to be too big a job,
>so they shut it down.

...and the public outcry about lost productivity and competitiveness
forces a change in cryptography policy.

I am betting that as much as americans like to 'get tough on crime',
deep down we're all just greedy money-grubbing bastards, and given a
choice between allowing the NSA to dicatate info policy and a healthy
profit margin, we'll throw our lot in with the almighty dollar every time.

>this is no longer fighting for freedom, it is terrorism.

I disagree.
-- 
Clay Shirky