December 2003 - cypherpunks-legacy

Re: AIDs testing and privacy
by blancw＠pylon.com 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

Responding to msg by Mike Markley: What about being denied a job because you have been treated for some disease? How about being denied a loan because your medical history has a profile that indicates that your life expectancy is shorter than the duration of the loan? It seems that the potential for abuse is so great that we should not allow such cross referencing. ................................................................. ..... Hey, Mike, just remember in the real world no one is required to be kind. If some hospital or company makes a decision to deny service for whatever reason they justify to themselves, it's their call as long as they are not owned by the State. They would likely make the same decisions upon receiving any information which represented a potential loss of revenue, whether that information came from special history files or from a client's personal admission. Even though having information about oneself passed around among agencies is odious to contemplate, what a private company decides to do as a consequence of their information is not really 'abuse'. (How they get that information in the first place, however, could be.) Blanc

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Re: NYT Fears Cypherpunks
by blancw＠pylon.com 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

Responding to msg byJohn E. Kreznar: More useful than the rulers-ruled division is the division into those who gratuitously accept the benefits of government (usually without even realizing that this is why government gets so big), and those who scrupulously avoid gratuitous involvement with government. The latter are an infinitesimal fraction who are being overwhelmed by the former. ................................................................. .......... The latter must find a way to live their way in spite of the rest of them. It's the individual against the mindless State, you know. (or the Mindless Condition) Blanc

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Introduction: Telephone traffic analysis
by shamrock＠netcom.com 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

I stumbled upon this great explanation of telephone traffic analysis and thought I'd share it with the list: Remember also, as far as security goes, that individuals always have the ability to add their own encryption to a system. But I would argue that encryption is also of minimal protection against a knowledgable telephone company or government with message traffic flow tracking capability. This is a capability that every phone company has since they use it to generate your bill every month. Consider the following: Some undesirable activity (to the govt or phoneco) is happening. The govt/phoneco (govco) is able to identify one or more persons involved. (now known as targets.) Targets: *1* *2* *3* They track and compare the frequency of calling patterns made by the targets. Now they know the "calling circle" of the targets. They expand the tracking pattern and start looking for cross overs. Targets: *1* *2* *3* / | \ / | \ | Level 1: A B C D E A F When they start to find a commonality (by Phone # or account holder(s)) they can begin to build the list of those persons most often called within the identified target group. In the above 'A' is common to targets *1* and *2*, thereby implying that the "group" is composed of *1*, *2*, and 'A'. Those most often called are the "key communicators", regardless of any formal or informal organization or public presence. By iterating this process recursively the entire organization and any supporting sympathizers can eventually be located. Both by members of the target group and by others outside the group who may not have any knowledge of other members of the group or even of themselves being in a group. Further, since all phone numbers are tied in the planning databases to physical locations and to billing addresses, enough data can be gathered to completely locate and identify (for further evidence research and cross referencing) members and supporters. Notice that this works even in those cases where no formal organization exists. Notice that this works regardless of whether the communications in question are encrypted or not. Applying this means that a movement, or any organized or coordinated activity could be disrupted by proper targeting of those who are the true key communicators. Actions as simple and subtle as cutting off phone service, placing bad credit reports, starting a tax audit, getting the person a better paying job in a different area, etc., etc. could all be just as effective as outright arrest and harassment. If they don't work, then things would escalate. So consider this as well and don't rely just on encryption to keep yourself secure. -- Lucky Green <shamrock(a)netcom.com> PGP public key by finger

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Karl Hess Club-L.A. area
by j.hastings6＠genie.geis.com 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- "Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice, and let me remind you, moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue." -- Karl Hess Libertarian, anti- and pro-Party, joint meeting: VAN NUYS (the Valley) CALIFORNIA U-S-A- ------------------------------------------------ The following text was written by SEK3: --- T H E K A R L H E S S C L U B --- invites you to our fourth meeting on Monday, September 19, 1994 Joseph Miranda asks us, COUP D'ETAT, U.S.A.? Soon? And...So What? Seven Days in May. Now, The Enemy Within. Is a military takeover of these United States still a possibility? Can it happen here? And...who would care? Would a dictatorship be worse than democratic oppression? Would State trains...or buses...run on time? Could more be privatized? Come and find out. Feel free to join in the...interrogation! MC for 4: Mike Everling TIMES: 7pm dinner. 8 pm Libertarian Party presentation. 8:15 announcements 8:30 pm Joseph Miranda speaks! PLACE: Van Nuys Dugout, 14032 Oxnard Street 1 block from Hazeltine, in the Valley, at last. (p.15, E6, Old Thomas Brothers, says Mike). Or call Dugout at (818) 780-9458. DINNER: $12 each, includes soup or salad, garlic bread, coffee or iced tea, and a potato (baked or fried) (except with first entree choice) and one of four entrees: Spaghetti with meatballs, Fried Chicken, Fried Filet of Sole, or Acapulco Special (ground beef, cheese, onions & ortega pepper). Dessert extra. Full bar at hand. No charge for presentations only, of course. BUSES: The 420 is the most frequent, all-night bus in the Valley, running all the way downtown. NEXT MONTH: Oktoberfest -- and Elections! Kent - j.hastings6(a)genie.geis.com Ham radio AX25: WA6ZFY @ WB6YMH.#SOCA.CA.USA.NA -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: 2.3 iQCVAgUBLm6XFzQYUX1dU7vxAQGutQQAvoNqZ214bQM3r+ECEF4TaoRJusOB9eLk UiC4PWVyaSuL4Yd4gp45pzRGGxW5sp9oNMXtEkQottGoBdNRGkwXYEyKUfVB9MvZ Tymc9yaGAvDr24vP4XIRXEf33tITS0KkYDf/qO7Ozv/fT2j2zS+7SOgDH4jp5brc y2VLs5uFX3Y= =xueN -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

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Al Gore's home page
by shamrock＠netcom.com 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

After reading the official announcement in "What's new with NSCA Mosaic" I just checked out Vice President Al Gore's home page at http://www.financenet.gov/vpgore.html Interersting that except for the "This is the Vice President's Mosaic Home Page" header, it is all empty. This from the man who wants to bring us the Information superhighway. Why can't politicians stay away from stuff they don't understand? Because that would mean that they have to stay away from everything. Just another anarchist, -- Lucky Green <shamrock(a)netcom.com> PGP public key by finger

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Fwd: FBI RAIDS SMALL MICHIGAN RPG COMPANY
by L. Todd Masco 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

Interesting tidbit, forwarded to me by a friend. ------- Start of forwarded message ------- From: tucholka(a)aol.com (Tucholka) Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.announce Subject: FBI RAIDS SMALL MICHIGAN RPG COMPANY Date: 7 Sep 1994 13:09:02 -0400 Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364) OK, there have been some wild rumors about the FBI raid on Tri Tac Games just after GENCON. Lets set them straight. FBI RAIDS SMALL GAME COMPANY PRESS RELEASE At 10am Tuesday morning, August 23rd, a special tactical team from the FBI gained swift and overwhelming entry into the corporate offices of Tri Tac Games in Pontiac Michigan to the great surprise of the entire staff who were still sipping coffee. Richard Tucholka, owner and president of Tri Tac, was duly informed of his rights as the squad of federal agents neatly and politely searched the offices of Tri Tac claiming to be looking for 'phony FBI Identification Badges' and 'Illicit government operation manuals.' It is to be noted that Tri Tac Games publishes an award-winning Role-Playing Game called Bureau 13, detailing the adventures of a secret division of the FBI which uses magic and Harrier Jump Jets to defend America from supernatural criminals and monsters. After painstakingly searching everything from the yet-to-be released CD ROM computer game version of Bureau 13, through the paperback copies of the Cult -hit novels from Ace Books in New York, absolutely nothing incriminating or illegal was discovered-- an incident close to the precedent setting invasion of Steve Jackson Games a few years ago by the US secret service which resulted in a major lawsuit rightfully won by the innocent game company. In preparation for another government visit, Mr. Tucholka has informed his lawyer, alerted the media, and set an extra pot of coffee to brew for the agents if they return. **************** Yes, it happened. No kidding. Apparently some fool at GENCON thought a $1 double sized Plastic ID badge on flaming orange and pink paper was a threat to national security. These badges were given to players of Bureau 13 as promotional material. **************** The agents were professional and Tri Tac cooperated with them. Computers were not touched (It is a federal law that a writers 'Works in Progress' may not be taken.) They removed plastic Bureau 13/FBI ID badges from a display shelf and versions of a Department of Justice ID badge produced by Databank Press. On Thursday the 25th Richard Tucholka was informed that the Federal Prosecutor would not be pressing charges for the badges because there was no malice or intent in their production. There would be a file established at the FBI with these badge examples for future reference. He was instructed to send in all production copies and masters as well as destroy the ID Badge Computer Graphics file in question. Richard Tucholka shook his head and said "Only an idiot could think these badges were real. Wonderful to see my tax dollars at work." And that's the story. 8)

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internet pricing paper
by Vladimir Z. Nuri 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

Hope that this is new to everyone here-- === \\ Paper: ewp-comp/9401001 From: Hal Varian <hal(a)alfred.econ.lsa.umich.edu> Date: Tue, 18 Jan 94 14:58:07 -0500 Title:Some Economics of the Internet Author:Jeffrey K.~MacKie-Mason Hal R. Varian Institution: University of Michigan, Dept of Economics WPA References: None Comments: Postscript file submitted via ftp in compressed format. \\ This is a preliminary version of a paper prepared for the Tenth Michigan Public Utility Conference at Western Michigan University March 25--27, 1992. We describe the history, technology and cost structure of the Internet. We also describe a possible smart-market mechanism for pricing traffic on the Internet. \\ \\ Paper: ewp-comp/9401002 From: Hal Varian <hal(a)alfred.econ.lsa.umich.edu> Date: Tue, 18 Jan 94 15:00:22 -0500 Title:Pricing the Internet Author:Jeffrey K.~MacKie-Mason Hal R. Varian Institution: University of Michigan, Dept of Economics WPA References: None Comments: Postscript file submitted via ftp in compressed format. \\ This paper was prepared for the conference ``Public Access to the Internet,'' JFK School of Government, May 26--27 , 1993. We describe some of the technology and costs relevant to pricing access to and usage of the Internet, and discuss the components of an efficient pricing structure. We suggest a possible smart-market mechanism for pricing traffic on the Internet. \\ The easiest way to locate these papers is to do a Veronica search on the string "Economics of the Internet". If you can only handle ftp, the documents are archived on the anonymous ftp server in the Department of Economics at Washington University. ftp:econwpa.wustl.edu:/econ-wp/comp/papers/9401 The two papers whose abstract appears above are in compressed postscript form as, 9401001.ps.Z and 9401002.ps.Z

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PGP mail netiquette
by Raph Levien 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

I've been thinking about the netiquette of sending PGP mail messages to people, especially "people you've never met." There are some people who publicize the existence of their PGP public key in their .sig or .plan or whatever, but do not like to actually receive PGP encrypted mail because it is such a hassle to decode. Others, like myself, have PGP integrated in their mail, so it's no problem. I would be quite pleased if every single piece of email I received was PGP-encrypted. How to tell us apart? I've placed the line "PGP encrypted mail is very welcome!" into my .plan. Others who have automated mail decryption, or who just like typing PGP command lines, might find it useful to do something similar. Just my $2E-2. Raph -- Raph Levien raph(a)cs.berkeley.edu PGP encrypted mail is very welcome! -----BEGIN PGP PUBLIC KEY BLOCK----- Version: 2.3a mQA9Aitm+zMAAAEBfiyEycCjO+sar1wmxy2RkCBjyr5+4JH/u5DLOvfLHsguqKB5 TwdxjrRkbio+Q+cdiQAFEbQoUmFwaGFlbCBMLiBMZXZpZW4gPHJhcGhAY3MuQmVy a2VsZXkuRURVPg== =jc6E -----END PGP PUBLIC KEY BLOCK-----

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Re: AIDS testing and privacy
by doug＠OpenMind.com 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

Tim May writes on the subject of racist hiring practices: >(It's also part of Libertarianism 101 that such a company would not >likely do well in this day and age. Before you cite America's racist >past, read up on who it was that enforced segregation. Hint: not the >corporations. Ditto for South Africa (the "other" RSA), where the >Apartheid Laws came into being because companies were looking to hire >blacks and coloreds to fill job position, and the whites didn't like >that much.) I'm not sure I buy this argument... who is it that "enforces" discrimination based on sexual orientation, today? If sexual orientation is a matter of status, rather than choice, then this form of discrimination is analogous to racism. Would you suggest that employers that refuse to hire homosexuals are simply bowing to the pressures of society at large? Unlike Apartheid, there are no laws that *enforce* discrimination based on sexual orientation (at least in the USA). In a fundamental situation of conflict between two entities, I agree that "anything goes", in the spirit of voluntary interactions between two entities. In the case of a conflict between a small number of large, powerful entities (corporate employers) and a vast number of small, powerless entities (the employment pool), I don't see how you can argue that this vast horde should not team up and utilize whatever means to achieve an advantage over the few in power. Today and in the future, "power" may reside increasingly in economic positioning. Thus, the power of the many individuals vs. the power of the few corporate entities may derive largely from their collective voice in the social conventions of society at large, which ultimately derives power from the tax base of the society at large. As long as these social conventions (and the tax base that empowers them) is in place, I see nothing wrong with the "voluntary interaction between individuals" which consists of banding together to pass, and enforce, laws in favor of the goals of these individuals. This is the basis of democracy. Along a similar vein, Blanc Weber writes: >... just remember in the real world no one is required >to be kind. If some hospital or company makes a decision to >deny service for whatever reason they justify to themselves, >it's their call as long as they are not owned by the State. In the real world, the voting public is not required to be kind to the hospital or the company, either. If a large political block can put into place structures (laws and enforcement) which effectively provide coercion against such denials of service, this is fair play as well. Doug ___________________________________________________________________ Doug Cutrell General Partner doug(a)OpenMind.com Open Mind, Santa Cruz ===================================================================

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timestamps
by broadley＠turing.ucdavis.edu 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

I heard that timestamp(a)lorax.MV.COM was down and/or notworking. My recent ping worked, I received a PGP signed copy of my message back after about 24 hours. -- Bill Broadley Broadley(a)math.ucdavis.edu UCD Math Sys-Admin Linux is great. http://ucdmath.ucdavis.edu/~broadley PGP-ok

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