December 2003 - cypherpunks-legacy

What are the "Soft Targets"?
by Tim May 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

Someone asked me what I meant by "soft targets," and what specifically some of them are. I won't provide a list here, lest I be tarred by the same "guilt by association" brush the Las Vegans are facing in the media. ("The Army found a map of the New York City subway system." Thoughtcrime.) A "soft target" is a target of opportunity that is both: -- almost impossible to defend and -- valuable for publicity purposes if attacked Traditionally, examples have been public squares, train stations, hotel , etc. When U.S.-sponsored terrorists blew up the Balogna, Italy train station, they knew this would generate massive fear and backlashes against the Left (whom the U.S. supported terrorists were pretending to represent...cf. the info on Lucio Gelli, the strategy of tension, the P2 Lodge, Stefano Delle Chiaie, etc.). And when the Jewish terrorists in Palestine wanted to make a point, they bombed the King David Hotel. In the U.S., soft targets abound. These would typically be crowded, downtown areas any of the 30 or 50 largest cities, but also various tourist attractions and government facilities (though government facilities tend to be "harder" targets, and so less likely). With aerosol weapons, subways and indoor locations are more likely to be targets. Use your own judgment, but I choose to avoid any of the various soft targets near me. -Tim May Just Say No to "Big Brother Inside" ---------:---------:---------:---------:---------:---------:---------:---- Timothy C. May | Crypto Anarchy: encryption, digital money, ComSec 3DES: 408-728-0152 | anonymous networks, digital pseudonyms, zero W.A.S.T.E.: Corralitos, CA | knowledge, reputations, information markets, Higher Power: 2^3,021,377 | black markets, collapse of governments.

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TechNet on Feinstein, SF Chron article, and encryption
by Declan McCullagh 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Thu, 19 Feb 1998 12:58:17 -0800 (PST) From: Declan McCullagh <declan(a)well.com> To: politech(a)vorlon.mit.edu Subject: TechNet on Feinstein, SF Chron article, and encryption This in response to these comments in the SF Chron article, sent in a sep. message: >Wade Randlett, a Democratic Leadership Council activist who advises >TechNet, said Feinstein's ``detractors are narrow- minded and hung up on >her stance on encryption. If you look at any broad sweep, she is as big a >champion for Silicon Valley as anyone in the U.S. Senate.'' -Declan ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Thu, 19 Feb 1998 12:43:14 -0800 From: "Garrett, Sean" <sgarrett(a)alexander-pr.com> To: "'declan(a)well.com'" <declan(a)well.com> Subject: Feinstein & Internet Policy Declan: Below is the awaited article about Senator Feinstein and Internet policy. I also want to make sure that TechNet's position on the encryption debate is clear. While encryption regulations are not the only major issue facing the industry, we recognize that they are extremely important to many (including most of TechNet's members). While TechNet as an organization is not playing a role in the debate, we believe the dialogue that we facilitate between tech CEOs and public officials will help further all of our collective goals-including the industry's domestic and export crypto goals. Regarding Senator Feinstein, we hope that future meetings between her and the industry are productive on encryption and other important issues. We do wholeheartedly appreciate the Senator's leadership with education and securities litigation reform-TechNet's two policy goals. Best, Sean Garrett Alexander Communications (representing the Technology Network) Sgarrett(a)alexandercom.com

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Re: Anthrax--The Horsemen are Riding
by Anonymous 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

Yet another wrong call by Tim "Chicken Little" May: >CNN is reporting a news flash, with few details, about two men being >arrested in Las Vegas for making or possessing or planning to make >anthrax. Details should be emerging, but I have a hunch it's a witch >hunt, an invocation of the Four Horsement, to drum up support for >Clinton's Dirty Little War. Nonsense. This has nothing to do with Saddam. These men are from the Aryan Nation, a militia group (and one which Tim secretly supports, being a strong believer in Aryan superiority). No wonder he is upset, when his favorite racists are shown to be just another bunch of terrorists, willing to kill innocents to promote their hate-filled cause. >"Find us some jimbells we can show to the American public as proof that >an undeclared, unsupported war with Iraq is justified." How incoherent can you get? How on earth can terrorism by the militias be related to the war in Iraq? Jeez, what an idiot. >Wanna bet they also bring crypto in this media circus? This would be funny if it weren't so sad. And you guys really _respect_ someone who would write this nonsense? It's a sad story when the one who is supposed to be the brains of the group is this stupid.

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RE: Anthrax--The Horsemen are Riding (fwd)
by Jim Choate 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

Forwarded message: > From: Ernest Hua <Hua(a)teralogic-inc.com> > Subject: RE: Anthrax--The Horsemen are Riding > Date: Thu, 19 Feb 1998 14:51:32 -0800 > The real issue is why NOW? It's just a bit coincidental, don't you > think, that someone so blatantly advertises his intimate relationships > with biological weapons for years is just now suddenly being arrested? > In politics, timing is everything. > > I am not the least bit sorry for this guy if he really possessed > anything, but I'm just a bit skeptical that this is just another routine > domestic terrorism arrest. There is one other potential reason why 'now'. The guy doing the deed figured it was a prime time to strike. ____________________________________________________________________ | | | When a man assumes a public trust, he should | | consider himself public property. | | | | Thomas Jefferson | | | | | | _____ The Armadillo Group | | ,::////;::-. Austin, Tx. USA | | /:'///// ``::>/|/ http://www.ssz.com/ | | .', |||| `/( e\ | | -====~~mm-'`-```-mm --'- Jim Choate | | ravage(a)ssz.com | | 512-451-7087 | |____________________________________________________________________|

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RE: Anthrax--The Horsemen are Riding
by Ernest Hua 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

Relax ... Tim is not condoning this guy's behavior. The real issue is why NOW? It's just a bit coincidental, don't you think, that someone so blatantly advertises his intimate relationships with biological weapons for years is just now suddenly being arrested? In politics, timing is everything. I am not the least bit sorry for this guy if he really possessed anything, but I'm just a bit skeptical that this is just another routine domestic terrorism arrest. Ern -----Original Message----- From: Anonymous [SMTP:nobody@REPLAY.COM] Sent: Thursday, February 19, 1998 1:35 PM To: cypherpunks(a)cyberpass.net Subject: Re: Anthrax--The Horsemen are Riding Yet another wrong call by Tim "Chicken Little" May: >CNN is reporting a news flash, with few details, about two men being >arrested in Las Vegas for making or possessing or planning to make >anthrax. Details should be emerging, but I have a hunch it's a witch >hunt, an invocation of the Four Horsement, to drum up support for >Clinton's Dirty Little War. Nonsense. This has nothing to do with Saddam. These men are from the Aryan Nation, a militia group (and one which Tim secretly supports, being a strong believer in Aryan superiority). No wonder he is upset, when his favorite racists are shown to be just another bunch of terrorists, willing to kill innocents to promote their hate-filled cause. >"Find us some jimbells we can show to the American public as proof that >an undeclared, unsupported war with Iraq is justified." How incoherent can you get? How on earth can terrorism by the militias be related to the war in Iraq? Jeez, what an idiot. >Wanna bet they also bring crypto in this media circus? This would be funny if it weren't so sad. And you guys really _respect_ someone who would write this nonsense? It's a sad story when the one who is supposed to be the brains of the group is this stupid.

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RE: Anthrax--The Horsemen are Riding (fwd)
by Ernest Hua 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

If the guy was after visibility, yes, then I would agree with you (re: "prime time"). Of course, it could also just be monumental stupidity on his timing (to confirm the FBI's "dumb criminal" model). Ern -----Original Message----- From: Jim Choate [SMTP:ravage@ssz.com] Sent: Thursday, February 19, 1998 3:18 PM To: cypherpunks(a)ssz.com Subject: RE: Anthrax--The Horsemen are Riding (fwd) Forwarded message: > From: Ernest Hua <Hua(a)teralogic-inc.com> > Subject: RE: Anthrax--The Horsemen are Riding > Date: Thu, 19 Feb 1998 14:51:32 -0800 > The real issue is why NOW? It's just a bit coincidental, don't you > think, that someone so blatantly advertises his intimate relationships > with biological weapons for years is just now suddenly being arrested? > In politics, timing is everything. > > I am not the least bit sorry for this guy if he really possessed > anything, but I'm just a bit skeptical that this is just another routine > domestic terrorism arrest. There is one other potential reason why 'now'. The guy doing the deed figured it was a prime time to strike. ____________________________________________________________________ | | | When a man assumes a public trust, he should | | consider himself public property. | | | | Thomas Jefferson | | | | | | _____ The Armadillo Group | | ,::////;::-. Austin, Tx. USA | | /:'///// ``::>/|/ http://www.ssz.com/ | | .', |||| `/( e\ | | -====~~mm-'`-```-mm --'- Jim Choate | | ravage(a)ssz.com | | 512-451-7087 | |____________________________________________________________________|

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RE: Anthrax--The Horsemen are Riding (fwd)
by Jim Choate 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

Forwarded message: > From: Ernest Hua <Hua(a)teralogic-inc.com> > Subject: RE: Anthrax--The Horsemen are Riding (fwd) > Date: Thu, 19 Feb 1998 15:26:38 -0800 > If the guy was after visibility, yes, then I would agree with you (re: > "prime time"). > > Of course, it could also just be monumental stupidity on his timing (to > confirm the FBI's "dumb criminal" model). The point I was thinking of was that such a timing would be when the country as a whole was distracted with over-seas events. Since they were Aryan Nation related, as I understand it, the goal was probably to further their white supremacy agenda. An attack on some 'hood would cause a civil uproar between blacks and whites that could have a impact of some importance. The result of that could be quite pervasive. ____________________________________________________________________ | | | When a man assumes a public trust, he should | | consider himself public property. | | | | Thomas Jefferson | | | | | | _____ The Armadillo Group | | ,::////;::-. Austin, Tx. USA | | /:'///// ``::>/|/ http://www.ssz.com/ | | .', |||| `/( e\ | | -====~~mm-'`-```-mm --'- Jim Choate | | ravage(a)ssz.com | | 512-451-7087 | |____________________________________________________________________|

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Vile Vial Files
by Tim May 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

One of the interesting items revealed today was that an FBI file was opened on the Ohio man when he ordered the bubonic plague culture a few years ago. The Maryland company forwarded his name to the Feds, apparently as part of a regular arrangement to do so. The Feds did an investigation, found he had used his company's name "fraudulently" (whatever that might be), and used this to convict him on fraud charges. (Not on the bubonic plague charges, though, as that wasn't a crime. At least not then.) This is part of a larger surveillance state situation, with buyers of all sorts of chemicals reported to the Feds. With buyers of grow lamps reported. (And supposedly the electric utility companies are reporting unusual power usages in the middle of the night to Feds.) While there may be various good reasons not to have botulism or bubonic plague cultures sold to ordinary folks, this whole situation raises serious issues. And the initiation of FBI investigations of purchasers of many kinds of chemicals raises issues. (One can asssume that with more and more such things being added to the "watch lists" each year, that there will be less acceptance of cash, or anonymous digital cash, for such purchases.) ObMinorNote: I recently tried to buy a bag of ammonium nitrate for my yard...the local yard store says it hasn't been available to ordinary customers since OKC. I had to settle for ammonium sulfate instead. We live in a dangerous world, full of potentially dangerous substances and things. Instead of dealing with the danger on a personal basis, we are using the government as our nanny, and also letting it record our purchases, open files on us for "unusual" purchases, and generally track our actions. Which actually won't have much effect on dedicated terrorists and criminals. --Tim May Just Say No to "Big Brother Inside" ---------:---------:---------:---------:---------:---------:---------:---- Timothy C. May | Crypto Anarchy: encryption, digital money, ComSec 3DES: 408-728-0152 | anonymous networks, digital pseudonyms, zero W.A.S.T.E.: Corralitos, CA | knowledge, reputations, information markets, Higher Power: 2^3,021,377 | black markets, collapse of governments.

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Anthrax
by Bj�rn Karger 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

Is it just coincidence that this scenario (crazy Amerikans brewing biowarfare in their homes) was just discussed on Cypherpunks just days before the attack? _________________________________________________________ DO YOU YAHOO!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com

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onward, Clinton soldiers / not so fast, Sen. Lott
by Attila T. Hun 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- let's put the Saddam affair in perspective; I'm sure anyone who is generally enlightened will agree that Bubba needs a nice little war to distract attention from his impending doom from a wandering dickhead which Hillary obviously does not, and has not, serviced adequately. Eric Margolis, whom I have known for many years, is an American, and a Vietnam veteran, on the staff of the Toronto Sun, who went to Canada for editorial freedom. he calls it like he sees it, and the following article on American's failed MidEast foreign policy since WWII should be must reading for the war mongers who have never learned their history and are about to repeat it. _________________________ NOTICE ______________________ In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. _______________________________________________________ NOT SO FAST, SEN. LOTT! by Eric Margolis Toronto Sun Editorial Columnist February 16, 1998 Senate majority leader Trent Lott and other senior Republicans are demanding the US adopt a long-term strategy of covert action and subversion to overthrow Saddam Hussein and other Mideast troublemakers who disturb the Pax Americana. Bombing Iraq is simply not enough, warned war-fevered Republicans. Saddam must be driven from power once and for all. Many pro-Israel Conservatives demand the US Army march on Baghdad. If Senator Lott knew Mideast history better, he might not be so eager for covert action, or hopeful Iraq's government could be overthrown to America's profit. He might even learn the United States is not the solution to the Mideast's chronic instability and tensions, but a major source. A few examples: *1947 Washington is displeased by Syria's government. A CIA-Army `political action team' mounts a coup, employing a `CIA asset,' Gen. Husni Za'im. As senior CIA Mideast agent Miles Copeland delightfully recalls, the Americans kept calling Za'im `our boy,' or `Husni,' and ordering him about. The day after Za'im's coup, Copeland and the American agents went to inform the new dictator whom he would appoint as ambassadors and cabinet ministers. When the Americans called him, `Husni,' Za'im ordered them to `stand at attention,' and address him as `Excellency.' US-Syrian relations have been terrible ever since. Two subsequent, US-backed coups backfired. *1952 The US helps engineer a coup against British puppet ruler of Egypt, King Farouk. CIA backs a young colonel, Gammal Abdel Nasser. But when the US later tries to pressure Nasser into joining Washington's `new order' for the Mideast, the Baghdad Pact, Nasser rebels and becomes America's enemy number one. CIA tries first to overthrow, than assassinate Nasser. All attempts fail. *1953 Iran's popular, elected leader, Mohammed Mossadegh, attempts to assert Iranian control of his nation's oil industry, whose profits go to the US and Britain. A CIA coup overthrows Mossadegh, and puts `our boy' Reza Shah on the throne. Iran's US-trained secret police keep the Shah in power through a reign of terror. Islamic-nationalist revolution sweeps Iran in 1979, ending US domination. *1957/58 US and Britain thwart popular uprisings against King Hussein of Jordan. *1958 Washington installs a client regime in Lebanon, which then dutifully calls for US troops. Beginning of Lebanon's 35 years of instability and civil war. *1958 Britain's Iraqi puppets, King Faisal and Nuri as- Said, overthrown by the bloodthirsty Col. Kassim. US uses Kassim to attack Nasser. Kassim murdered by Col. Aref in CIA-mounted coup. Aref's helicopter blown up. A few more murders later, CIA helps engineer into power a promising, young, Baath Party enforcer, Saddam Hussein, *1960 Anwar Sadat goes on CIA payroll. After Nasser's death, CIA puts Sadat into power in Egypt. Corrupt and hated, Sadat is assassinated to great popular joy.. *1969 The US elbows Britain out of Libya to gain control of its high-grade oil. CIA overthrows British puppet, King Idris, and - - in one of its most brilliant moves - helps into power a young, reformist colonel, Muammar Khadaffi. When Khadaffi subsequently trumpets the Arabs are being robbed of their oil by the west, and raises prices, he goes unto America's hit list. *1976 US, Iran and Israel secretly arm Iraq's Kurds and promote their rebellion to destabilize Iraq. Kurdish revolt plays major role in igniting Iran-Iraq War 1980-1988 in which one million died. US abandons Kurds, gets chummy with Baghdad. *1980 Saddam Hussein becomes America's most important Mideast ally in trying to crush Iran's Islamic revolution. Urged on, armed and financed by the US, Saddam invades Iran in 1980. CIA and Pentagon supply military advice and intelligence on Iran. US and British intelligence help Iraq obtain its chemical and biological warfare capabilities. *1983 US attempts to install a client, Christian/fascist regime in Lebanon, drive out Syrian influence. US Marines sent to Beirut, under cover of `peace-keepers.' They are bombed out of Lebanon by Shia militants: 309 Americans die, including CIA's top Mideast staff. *1985 CIA's revenge backfires. Lebanese CIA agents detonate truck bomb in Beirut in a failed attempt to assassinate Shia leader, Sheik Fadlallah. Eighty-three civilians killed, 240 wounded. *1986 US tries to assassinate Khadaffi by bombing his residence in Tripoli. One baby daughter killed, one injured. He escapes. Downing of Pan Am and French UTA flights may be revenge for this failed hit. Three other attempt to assassinate Khadaffi, using CIA-organized Libyan exiles, fail. *1996 The Bay of Camels - CIA's biggest flop since Cuba. Urged on by President Clinton, CIA mounts an elaborate coup against Saddam Hussein. Iraqi exiles, armed and trained by CIA, to march on Baghdad from US/British ruled Kurdistan. CIA organizes a cabal of generals to assassinate Saddam. Public places in Baghdad are bombed, many civilians killed, in order to `destabilize' Iraq (this while the US is busy denouncing terrorism). But Saddam's spies have infiltrated the plot. The whole operation collapses. CIA's agent network in Iraq is rolled up. Many Kurds back Saddam, turn on pro-US Kurds. CIA agents in Kurdistan run for their lives, abandoning allies and tons of documents. Saddam is strengthened. CIA's inept Director, John Deutch, fired for this Mother of All Fiascos. . Republicans now urge more of the above to keep the Mideast calm. You certainly can't argue with success. copyright eric margolis 1998 -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: 2.6.3i Charset: latin1 Comment: No safety this side of the grave. Never was; never will be iQBVAwUBNOzdC7R8UA6T6u61AQGciwH8DV95VLZFazEpV9YOI7xaItpsq2892hlW LsEgcfoDRAPp4qHworr1kFymnzNpJXToj1KGO6/yyoEam8Xjw/MBig== =8rR0 -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

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