🚀 go-pugleaf

> STOP THE GOVERNMENT FROM BUILDING BIG BROTHER INTO THE INTERNET
> 
> In 1948, George Orwell described a future world in which Big Brother
> peeked over the shoulder of every citizen -- watching every move and
> listening to every word.
> 
> Now, in 1997, the FBI is pushing the United States Congress to pass
> legislation which would make George Orwell's frightening vision a
> reality.
> 
> Next week the House Commerce Committee will meet to consider a
> proposal that would require all Americans to provide the government
> guaranteed access to their private online communications and
> business transactions.  Taking a page out of Orwell's 1984, the
> FBI-spawned proposal would require that every part of the Internet
> -- from the software on your computer to the network provider that
> carries your messages around the net -- be jury-rigged to divulge
> your private conversations immediately on request by the FBI (see
> below).
> 
> Unfortunately, this is not a work of fiction.
> 
> The amendment, to be offered by Representatives Mike Oxley (R-OH)
> and Thomas Manton (D-NY), is a serious threat to your privacy and
> represents the first and final step in the construction of a
> National Surveillance Infrastructure.
> 
> A vote is expected on September 25.  The future of privacy and
> security in the information age is in the hands of the Commerce
> Committee, and they need to know that folks are watching and care
> about the outcome.
> 
> On Monday September 22, please join thousands of Internet users all
> across the country as we call on Congress to stop Big Brother.  With
> your help and support,  we can ensure that George Orwell's 1984 does
> not become a reality.
> 
> All the information you need is attached below.
> 
> _________________________________________________________________
> WHAT YOU CAN DO
> 
> 1. ON MONDAY SEPTEMBER 22, pick up the phone and call as many of the
> four
>    leading members of the Commerce committee as you can:
> 
>      Chairman Thomas Bliley (R-VA)         (202) 225-2815
>      Ranking member John Dingell (D-MI)    (202) 225-4071
>      Rep. Tauzin (R-LA)                    (202) 225-4031
>      Rep. Markey (D-MA)                    (202) 225-2836
> 
> 2. Ask for the staffer that handles the encryption issue.
> 
> 3. Say that you're calling to urge the Congressman to pass SAFE
> (HR695)
>    without amendments.
> 
>    Specifically, say that you "OPPOSE THE OXLEY/MANTON BIG BROTHER
>    AMENDMENT. Americans should not be required to give the
>    government keys to the front door of their house, and they
>    shouldn't be required to give the government the keys to unlock
>    their private online communications."
> 
> Other amendments may be proposed.  Please urge the Congressman to
> pass SAFE "as is" and oppose any amendments. Feel free to use your
> own words though here are some points you might want to stress:
> 
> - Oxley/Manton is a dramatic expansion of law enforcement power.  It
> would
>    give law enforcement "immediate" access to private online
>    communications and business transactions without any notice or
>    knowledge to the user.
> 
> - Oxley/Manton is NOT A BALANCE BETWEEN PRIVACY INTERESTS AND LAW
>    ENFORCEMENT CONCERNS, as some supporters have argued.  It gives
>    the FBI broad new power while stripping Americans of their Fourth
>    Amendment right to be secure from unreasonable searches and
>    seizures.
> 
> - Oxley/Manton would give the Attorney General authority to dictate
> the
>    design of Internet services and software to suit the needs of law
>    enforcement.
> 
> - Oxley/Manton would not stop crime. Strong encryption without
> "immediate
>    access" features is available today at home and abroad.
> 
> - Oxley/Manton would increase opportunities for cybercrime as
> criminal hackers
>    attack vulnerabilities in the key recovery access system.
> 
> 4. Let us know how it went!  Go to one of the following web pages,
> depending
>    on who you called, and tell us about the conversation.
> 
>    Rep. Bliley     http://www.crypto.com/member/meet.cgi?membid=va07
>    Rep. Dingell    http://www.crypto.com/member/meet.cgi?membid=mi16
>    Rep. Tauzin     http://www.crypto.com/member/meet.cgi?membid=la03
>    Rep. Markey     http://www.crypto.com/member/meet.cgi?membid=ma07
> 
> 5. Forward this ALERT to your friends and colleagues.
> 
> 6. Feel good about yourself!  Know that you've stood up for privacy,
> and
>    contacting Congress is more than most people take the time to do!
> 
> _________________________________________________________________
> BACKGROUND
> 
> The House Commerce Committee is considering a bill known as the
> "Security and Freedom through Encryption Act" (HR 695, a.k.a. SAFE).
>  SAFE would encourage the widespread availability of strong,
> easy-to-use encryption technologies in order to protect privacy and
> promote electronic commerce on the Internet.  SAFE enjoys broad
> support from Internet users, civil liberties advocates, and over 250
> members of Congress.
> 
> Last week, the Commerce Committee delayed its vote on the SAFE bill
> in order to give the Committee more time to study the implications
> of the Oxley/Manton amendment, which would change SAFE to ban
> encryption which does not contain features that provide law
> enforcement with "immediate access" to the plain text of encrypted
> information, including private communications and business
> transactions (visit http://www.crypto.com
> 
> 

- Melissa   ( remove the big X and Y from my spam proofed address to email me )

High Priestess, The Universal Planetary Pantheist Temple ;
http://www.amnix.com/~melissa/pantheis.htm
Discourage the hateful expression of  religion! Buy Disney; boycott Southern Baptists!
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