December 2003 - cypherpunks-legacy

SPAM -> FW: Increase Your Paycheck Next Week
by Cory R. King 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

Without a doubt, this is the first spam that has made me seriously question taking the low ground in the spam wars, and just totally fucking with this guy.. I've got quite a stack of "bill-me-later" magazine subscriptions that I would be more then happy to sign this asshole up to.... TO AOL.COM: This puppy came from you.... all lines above - Received: from 152.202.71.131 (202-71-131.ipt.aol.com [152.202.71.131]).... - are part of the mailing list that this asshole sent to... also take a look at the last sentence of this guys spam.... oooooooooooo... I'm gonna mail him some "abusive" shit in a second!!!!!!! LART this luser GOOD!!!! TO USA.NET: To drop boxes to investigate: 2001files(a)usa.net, business_ideas(a)usa.net TO CYPHERPUNKS: If any of you guys are the "psychotic" kind... please be so kind as to kill this asshole... How DARE he threaten us (see last line of spam!).... fucker..... TO BUSINESS_IDEAS(a)USA.NET: HEY!!! ASSHOLE!!!! HOW ABOUT YOU FORWARD THIS "ABUSIVE" LANGUAGE TO YOUR FUCKING FBI AND "INTERPOL" YOU FUCKING SHITHEAD!!!!! IF I EVER SEE YOU ON THE STREET, MARK MY WORDS, YOU ARE A DEAD MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ----------------- Cory R. King "As soon as men decide that all means are permitted to fight an evil, then their good becomes indistinguishable from the evil that they set out to destroy." - Christopher Dawson -----Original Message----- Received: from www.video-collage.com ([206.15.171.132]) by dogbone.azalea.com with SMTP (Microsoft Exchange Internet Mail Service Version 5.5.1960.3) id T5JVBF6T; Wed, 30 Sep 1998 09:56:22 -0700 Received: (from ichudov@localhost) by www.video-collage.com (8.8.5/8.8.5) id MAA01379 for cypherpunks-outgoing; Wed, 30 Sep 1998 12:03:54 -0400 (EDT) Received: from sirius.infonex.com (sirius.infonex.com [209.75.197.2]) by www.video-collage.com (8.8.5/8.8.5) with ESMTP id MAA01367 for <cypherpunks(a)algebra.com>; Wed, 30 Sep 1998 12:03:48 -0400 (EDT) Received: (from cpunks@localhost) by sirius.infonex.com (8.8.8/8.8.8) id JAA20785; Wed, 30 Sep 1998 09:07:02 -0700 (PDT) Received: from cyberpass.net (cyberpass.net [209.75.197.3]) by sirius.infonex.com (8.8.8/8.8.8) with ESMTP id JAA20767 for <cpunks(a)sirius.infonex.com>; Wed, 30 Sep 1998 09:06:56 -0700 (PDT) Received: from 152.202.71.131 (202-71-131.ipt.aol.com [152.202.71.131]) by cyberpass.net (8.8.8/8.7.3) with SMTP id JAA07148 for <cypherpunks(a)cyberpass.net>; Wed, 30 Sep 1998 09:08:07 -0700 (PDT) Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1998 09:08:07 -0700 (PDT) From: 2001files(a)usa.net Message-Id: <199809301608.JAA07148(a)cyberpass.net> To: cypherpunks(a)cyberpass.net Reply-To: business_ideas(a)usa.net Subject: Increase Your Paycheck Next Week Sender: owner-cypherpunks(a)Algebra.COM Precedence: bulk X-Mailing-List: cypherpunks(a)algebra.com X-List-Admin: ichudov(a)algebra.com X-Loop: cypherpunks(a)algebra.com Would you like to get a pay raise next week without asking your boss? Then this very special report, "Money Power," is for you! [spam snip] World Net Press Dept. EN-930 P.O. Box 96594 Las Vegas, NV 89193-6594 [spam snip] Please be advised we collect the e-mail addresses of all flamers, hackers, and users of abusive and vulgar language. We submit these addresses to the FBI and Interpol on a monthly basis.

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U.K. Hosts Bomb-Proof Computer Room
by Robert Hettinga 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

--- begin forwarded text Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1998 10:55:45 -0700 (PDT) From: William Knowles <erehwon(a)kizmiaz.dis.org> To: DC-Stuff <dc-stuff(a)dis.org>, Access All Areas <aaa-list(a)access.org.uk> cc: Digital Commerce Society of Boston <dcsb(a)ai.mit.edu> Subject: U.K. Hosts Bomb-Proof Computer Room Organization: Home for retired social engineers & unrepented cryptophreaks MIME-Version: 1.0 Sender: bounce-dcsb(a)ai.mit.edu Precedence: bulk Reply-To: William Knowles <erehwon(a)kizmiaz.dis.org> (Network Week) [9.30.98] Anyone worried about the security of e-commerce might find a nuclear bomb-proof server room lightly excessive, but that is exactly what British company AL Digital, the company behind the Apache-SSL secure Web server, is offering. AL Digital, based in London, is offering host servers at The Bunker, an ex-military base that was formerly a key British Ministry of Defense communications center. The company said the facility had secure chambers buried deep underground and communications capacity available on tap. "We feel physical security is often overlooked," said AL Digital director Adam Laurie. "Hacking and cracking are not the major risks anymore because of strong encryption; where you're vulnerable is at the physical point at which you decrypt the data." Laurie said the servers based at The Bunker would be protected against electronic eavesdropping, physical intrusion, and electromagnetic damage, as well as a nuclear strike. "We could have built our own secure facility, but we heard this was on the market," he added. He said it's as physically robust as Telehouse, a high-security server-hosting facility in Staten Island, N.Y., if not more so. == I regret to say that we of the FBI are powerless to act in cases of oral-genital intimacy, unless it has in some way obstructed interstate commerce. -- J. Edgar Hoover == http://www.dis.org/erehwon/ For help on using this list (especially unsubscribing), send a message to "dcsb-request(a)ai.mit.edu" with one line of text: "help". --- end forwarded text ----------------- Robert A. Hettinga <mailto: rah(a)philodox.com> Philodox Financial Technology Evangelism <http://www.philodox.com/> 44 Farquhar Street, Boston, MA 02131 USA "... however it may deserve respect for its usefulness and antiquity, [predicting the end of the world] has not been found agreeable to experience." -- Edward Gibbon, 'Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire'

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Announcement: A Self-Study Course in Block Cipher Cryptanalysis
by Bruce Schneier 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

Ever since writing Applied Cryptography, I have been asked to recommend a book on cryptanalysis. My unfortunate answer is that while there are several good books on cryptography, there are no books, good or bad, on cryptanalysis. The only way to learn cryptanalysis is through practice. A student simply has to break algorithm after algorithm, inventing new techniques and modifying existing ones. Reading others' cryptanalysis results helps, but there is no substitute for experience. To help in getting this experience, I designed a self-study course in block-cipher cryptanalysis. With it, a student can follow an ordered path through the academic literature and emerge out the other side fully capable of breaking new algorithms and publishing new cryptanalytic results. What I have done is to list published algorithms and published cryptanalyses in a coherent order: by type of cryptanalysis and difficulty. A student's task is to read papers describing algorithms, and then attempt to reproduce published cryptanalytic results. (It is definitely more difficult to learn cryptanalysis from academic papers than from a distilled textbook, but the sooner a student gets used to reading academic papers the better off he will be.) The results, in other published papers, serve as an "answer key." The paper is available in both postscript and pdf formats at: http://www.counterpane.com/self-study.html Comments are always appreciated. Bruce ********************************************************************** Bruce Schneier, President, Counterpane Systems Phone: 612-823-1098 101 E Minnehaha Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55419 Fax: 612-823-1590 Free crypto newsletter. See: http://www.counterpane.com

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Re: propose: `cypherpunks license' (Re: Wanted: Twofish source code) (fwd)
by Jim Choate 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

Forwarded message: > Subject: Re: propose: `cypherpunks license' (Re: Wanted: Twofish source code) > From: Derek Atkins <warlord(a)MIT.EDU> > Date: 30 Sep 1998 16:02:23 -0400 > The big issue I see with GPL and Crypto software is that with the GPL > you cannot add any redistribution restrictions. The problem is that > due to the United States export rules, I cannot export Crypto > software, which means I must legally put a restriction on any Crypto > code I write. But, this is a "further restriction" as far as the > GPL is concerned. This, in turn, means I cannot use the GPL for > Crypto software. A legal prohibition isn't a licensing restriction, it's a distribution restriction. A license restriction defines who can use a product and under what terms they may do so legaly, it doesn't address where they may use it legaly. If you tried to put a license restriction that said "can only be used in the US" *then* you would be correct. It isn't the copyright holders choice and therefore they're not responsible for it per se. Not to mention that it would be very hard to support legaly. A good example is I have a military book that says that you can only possess the book in the US and Canada...try to enforce that one. Were that the case Phil Z. would be sittin in a hoosgow right now. Personaly, I like the idea of printing your source out and sending it to HackTick for typing in and reposting. That wouldn't effect your initial licensing restrictions and bypasses the restrictions handily. ____________________________________________________________________ The seeker is a finder. Ancient Persian Proverb The Armadillo Group ,::////;::-. James Choate Austin, Tx /:'///// ``::>/|/ ravage(a)ssz.com www.ssz.com .', |||| `/( e\ 512-451-7087 -====~~mm-'`-```-mm --'- --------------------------------------------------------------------

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Is the .to (Tonga) domain completely rogue and should be removed?
by Robert Hettinga 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

:-). Cheers, Bob Hettinga --- begin forwarded text Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1998 15:24:09 -0400 Reply-To: bzs(a)world.std.com Originator: com-priv(a)lists.psi.com Sender: com-priv(a)lists.psi.com Precedence: bulk From: Barry Shein <bzs(a)world.std.com> To: Multiple recipients of list <com-priv(a)lists.psi.com> Subject: Is the .to (Tonga) domain completely rogue and should be removed? X-Comment: Commercialization and Privatization of the Internet We've been having increasing problems with one or more porn sites in the .to domain promoting itself by massive spamming of AOL customers using one of our domains in their From: header thus causing both complaints to us and thousands of bounces from AOL due to bad AOL addresses in their spam lists. Looking at the .to domain I can't help but notice it's heavily laden with what appear to be porn sites (sexonline.to, come.to, xxxhardcore.to, etc.) 1. Performing traceroutes and other analyses seems to indicate that this domain is NOT being used for communication with entities legitimately located (legally, not only geographically) within the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Tonga, as intended. 2. Clearly criminal and malicious activites are arising from sites to which Tonga has provided comfort and sanctuary. 3. Therefore, I call for a process whereby it can be determined as to whether or not it is appropriate to decommission the Tongan domain due to negligence, mismanagement, and having allowed it to become an attractive resource for criminal activities. I do not believe the Tongan domain serves any legitimate purpose as an internet resource. In support of this assertion I want to show you an SMTP conversation with what claims to be the Consulate of the Government of Tonga in San Francisco (This San Francisco office is listed as an official Tongan contact point for visas etc by the US State Dept): world% telnet sfconsulate.gov.to 25 Trying 209.24.51.169... Connected to sfconsulate.gov.to. Escape character is '^]'. 220 colo.to SMTP ready, Who are you gonna pretend to be today? VRFY postmaster 500 Bloody Amateur! Proper forging of mail requires recognizable SMTP commands! -------------------- Viewing the web page for the Tongan Consulate in the US (http://sfconsulate.gov.to) reveals nothing but an ad for a software company, this page ends with: Need a domain name? Contact the Kingdom of Tonga Internet domain name registry. -------------------- Consequently, I assert there is no reason for this domain to exist and it should be removed from the root name servers. -- -Barry Shein Software Tool & Die | bzs(a)world.std.com | http://www.world.com Purveyors to the Trade | Voice: 617-739-0202 | Login: 617-739-WRLD The World | Public Access Internet | Since 1989 *oo* --- end forwarded text ----------------- Robert A. Hettinga <mailto: rah(a)philodox.com> Philodox Financial Technology Evangelism <http://www.philodox.com/> 44 Farquhar Street, Boston, MA 02131 USA "... however it may deserve respect for its usefulness and antiquity, [predicting the end of the world] has not been found agreeable to experience." -- Edward Gibbon, 'Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire'

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IP: Innovative Approach to Biometric ID Authentication
by Vladimir Z. Nuri 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

From: believer(a)telepath.com Subject: IP: Innovative Approach to Biometric ID Authentication Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1998 11:16:35 -0500 To: believer(a)telepath.com Source: PR Newswire http://www.prnewswire.com/ DEL-ID... AN UNUSUAL AND INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO ID AUTHENTICATION MONTREAL, Sept. 28 /CNW-PRN/ - The market for ID authentication products that use biometric technologies is experiencing strong growth. The dominant technology at the moment uses finger prints (or, to be exact, finger print details, such as bifurcations or ridge endings). The reason is simple. It has long been accepted that finger prints are unique to each individual; this assumption is backed by probability analyses confirming that the theoretical probability of finding similar finger-print detail configurations in two different individuals is about 10(-20) (that is, about one chance in a billion billion). In practice, however, measuring errors can occur when processing finger-print images, increasing the probability of error to about one in a thousand for top-quality commercial systems. There are weaknesses in the existing approach, however. For example, privacy cannot be guaranteed when a digital finger print is used for ID authentication and large pieces of equipment are required. For these reasons, other options must be considered. The del-ID solution proposed by delSecur is an original and attractive approach. The delSecur system processes finger-print image data analogically, not digitally, creating an abstract image of the characteristics of the human finger. The video signal from the reader that captures the finger image is analogically processed. To register with the del-ID authentication system, you place your finger over the reader (without touching it, so you don't leave finger prints on it) and an abstract image of your finger print is stored. This becomes your personal electronic signature. When someone claiming to be you places his finger over the reader, a new abstract image is generated and authenticated by comparison with the stored image; a comparison matrix developed by delSecur is used to determine the similarity of the two images. The matrix, patented by delSecur, comes from the field of photography and may be combined with other metric matrices developed by CRIM or borrowed from other existing technologies. The delSecur concept is original. It is different from conventional approaches and its architecture is unusually simple. What distinguishes the delSecur concept is the representation of the finger image and the technology that allows this representation to be used for authentication. delSecur uses a patented process to create an abstract image that contains data unique to an individual. delSecur not only built a device to demonstrate the potential of the concept but also developed a preliminary architecture for the registration and authentication prototype, making it possible to analyze the concept--the maximum rotation angle for feasibility and authentication, for example. Given the encouraging results of the scientific evaluation of the basic concept of the del-ID system, delSecur, in partnership with CRIM and other firms, is planning to begin a case study and pilot projects with large Canadian and international firms to clarify and test technical details. The ultimate goal is implementation of a wide variety of applications on a very large scale. The del-ID system is marketed by delSecur, a Canadian company wholly owned by Grandeur Inc., a firm listed on the New York stock exchange. NASDAQ: GDER ©1998 PR Newswire. ----------------------- NOTE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml ----------------------- ********************************************** To subscribe or unsubscribe, email: majordomo(a)majordomo.pobox.com with the message: (un)subscribe ignition-point email@address ********************************************** www.telepath.com/believer **********************************************

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IP: Army goes offline in reaction to Pentagon order
by Vladimir Z. Nuri 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

From: believer(a)telepath.com Subject: IP: Army goes offline in reaction to Pentagon order Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1998 10:24:30 -0500 To: believer(a)telepath.com Source: Federal Computer Week http://www.fcw.com/pubs/fcw/1998/0928/web-army-9-28-98.html ---------- SEPTEMBER 28, 1998 . . . 11:50 EDT ---------- Army goes offline in reaction to Pentagon order BY BOB BREWIN (antenna(a)fcw.com) The Army slammed shut its door to the wired world last week, closing down all its World Wide Web sites in reaction to a new Pentagon Web security policy. Only the Army had such a drastic response to a Defense Department memo issued last week that spelled out what information DOD Web sites should and should not post. The Air Force, the Navy and the Marine Corps still offer the public access to popular and highly visible Web pages. The Army's move is in reaction to Deputy Secretary of Defense John Hamre's policy memo released Sept. 17, which directed all military organizations that maintain Web sites to review and then remove sensitive information that could aid potential enemies of the United States. Hamre said some Web sites in the past have provided "too much detail on DOD capabilities, infrastructure and operational capabilities.'' Hamre said this new policy will help DOD to "strike a balance between openness and sound security.'' The Army, according to an internal message furnished to FCW, responded by directing all commanders to ensure that "all of their publicly accessible Web sites are immediately disconnected from the Internet.'' Lt. Gen. William Campbell, the Army's director of information systems for command, control, communications and computers, sent the message at 5 p.m. Friday. He added that the shutdown could be accomplished by physically disconnecting Web servers from the public network, moving all Web site files from public to nonpublic servers or instituting control mechanisms that prohibit public access. The internal Army message also suggested that commands deal with frustrated users trying to access Army Web sites by posting a new "cover page'' (in use on many Army Web pages, including the main site at www.army.mil) that reads: "This Army Web site is not currently available. This Web site will be available again after maintenance is completed.'' The Web shutdown caught the public affairs staff at the Department of the Army's headquarters in the Pentagon by surprise. An Army spokesman was unable to offer any explanation for the move or any indication of when the sites would be operating again. ----------------------- NOTE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml ----------------------- ********************************************** To subscribe or unsubscribe, email: majordomo(a)majordomo.pobox.com with the message: (un)subscribe ignition-point email@address ********************************************** www.telepath.com/believer **********************************************

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IP: Secret Courts Approve More Wiretapping
by Vladimir Z. Nuri 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

From: believer(a)telepath.com Subject: IP: Secret Courts Approve More Wiretapping Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1998 10:50:51 -0500 To: believer(a)telepath.com Source: Excerpted from: ---------------------------------- From: "John C. Goodman- National Center for Policy Analysis" <ncpa(a)onramp.net> National Center for Policy Analysis DAILY POLICY DIGEST Wednesday, September 30, 1998 <snip> SECRET COURTS APPROVE MORE WIRETAPPING Judges in secret federal courts are authorizing unprecedented numbers of wiretaps and clandestine searches, according to U.S. Department of Justice records. The courts were authorized by the 1978 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). o During the last three years, an annual average of 760 wiretaps and searches were carried out -- a 38 percent increase from the 550 a year average for 1990 to 1994. o Since 1995, FISA courts also have authorized searches of the homes, cars, computers and other property of suspected spies. o In all, the courts have approved 11,950 applications and turned down one request. Proponents argue the surveillance reflects a stepped-up federal response to increased terrorist activity on American soil. But opponents contend that the process endangers the very liberties it seeks to protect. "There's a growing addiction to the use of secret courts as an alternative to more conventional investigative means," points out Jonathan Turley, a law professor at George Washington University. The law requires the Justice Department -- and usually the FBI or the National Security Agency -- to show the judge that the target is a foreign government or agent engaging in "clandestine intelligence gathering activities" or terrorism. Source: Richard Willing, "With Secret Courts' OK, Wiretapping on the Rise," and "Secrecy Might Be Weak Link in Taps of Suspected Spies," both USA Today, September 30, 1998. For more on Terrorism http://www.ncpa.org/pi/congress/cong9.html **************************************************************************** NATIONAL CENTER FOR POLICY ANALYSIS DALLAS, TEXAS "Making Ideas Change the World" Internet Address: http://www.ncpa.org **************************************************************************** ----------------------- NOTE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml ----------------------- ********************************************** To subscribe or unsubscribe, email: majordomo(a)majordomo.pobox.com with the message: (un)subscribe ignition-point email@address ********************************************** www.telepath.com/believer **********************************************

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IP: Chinese Govt Bans Controversial Clinton Book
by Vladimir Z. Nuri 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

From: believer(a)telepath.com Subject: IP: Chinese Govt Bans Controversial Clinton Book Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1998 09:16:35 -0500 To: believer(a)telepath.com Source: US Newswire http://www.usnewswire.com/topnews/Current_Releases/0929-126.txt PRIMA: Chinese Government Bans Controversial Clinton Book U.S. Newswire 29 Sep 15:06 PRIMA Publishing: Chinese Government Bans Controversial Clinton Book To: National Desk Contact: Diana Banister of Craig Shirley & Associates, 800-536-5920, pager: 703-816-9368 WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The following was released today by Prima Publishing: Chinese authorities have refused to allow three publishing houses to translate a new book -- "The Clinton Syndrome, The President and the Self-Destructive Nature of Sexual Addiction" by California-based Prima Publishing. The book takes a clinical look at the life and behavior of Bill Clinton and explains why the president would risk his presidency for a sexual relationship with an intern. "We have been told that the Chinese government does not want to make a book of this kind available in China because they consider it unfavorable to President Clinton," says Robin Taylor, rights associate at Prima Publishing. "The Chinese authorities apparently don't understand why Americans treat their president just like any other person and allow citizens to write about their government leaders." In "The Clinton Syndrome," Jerome D. Levin, Ph.D., a psychotherapist, addictions specialist and professor, assesses the character of a man so driven by a sexual addiction that he would risk his presidency to fulfill a desperate need for reassurance and validation of his worth. Prima does not consider the Clinton Syndrome an "anti-Clinton" book. In fact, Dr. Levin voted for President Clinton twice and agrees with his policies. But he still believes the president is in serious need of help for a classic case of sexual addiction. "We work with foreign publishers around the world on numerous books," says Taylor. "Never have we had the subject matter of a book impede its publication in a foreign country. But I guess it's understandable when you consider the relationship between the Clinton administration and the current Chinese government." "The Clinton Syndrome," published by Prima Publishing of Rocklin, Calif., is available in bookstores nationwide. For more information or to schedule an interview with Dr. Jerome D. Levin or a Prima spokesman, please call Ciana Banister at 800-536-5920. -0- /U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/ 09/29 15:06 Copyright 1998, U.S. Newswire ----------------------- NOTE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml ----------------------- ********************************************** To subscribe or unsubscribe, email: majordomo(a)majordomo.pobox.com with the message: (un)subscribe ignition-point email@address ********************************************** www.telepath.com/believer **********************************************

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IP: Courts OK record number of wiretaps
by Vladimir Z. Nuri 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

From: believer(a)telepath.com Subject: IP: Courts OK record number of wiretaps Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1998 10:55:30 -0500 To: believer(a)telepath.com Source: USA Today http://www.usatoday.com/news/washdc/ncs2.htm 09/30/98- Updated 12:06 AM ET The Nation's Homepage Courts OK record number of wiretaps WASHINGTON - Federal judges operating in secret courts are authorizing unprecedented numbers of wiretaps and clandestine searches aimed at spies and terrorists operating in the USA, Justice Department records show. During the last three years, an average of 760 wiretaps and searches a year were carried out, a 38% increase from the 550 a year from 1990 to 1994. Federal judges have authorized a yearly average of 463 ordinary wiretaps since 1990 in drug, organized crime and other criminal cases. Part of the growth in surveillance is attributed to an increase in espionage and terrorist activities in the USA. "There's a greater quantity of the folks who are potentially problematic out there," says Jamie Gorelick, who as deputy attorney general from 1994 to 1997 helped review wiretap applications. Proponents say the surveillance reflects a stepped-up federal response to increased terrorist activity on American soil. Opponents argue that the process endangers the very liberties it seeks to protect. "This issue is where the rubber hits the road," says William Webster, who headed the FBI in 1978 when the law allowing the secret wiretaps was passed. "It's where we try to balance the concept of our liberty against what has to be done to protect it." The wiretaps, which are applied for by the Justice Department under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) and carried out by the FBI and National Security Agency, have received their greatest use yet under President Clinton and Attorney General Janet Reno. Since 1995, FISA courts also have authorized searches of the homes, cars, computers and other property of suspected spies. In its two decades, FISA courts have approved 11,950 applications and turned down one request. Generally, defense lawyers can challenge the basis for authorizing a wiretap. But supporting information for wiretaps authorized by the FISA court are sealed for national security reasons. "It legitimizes what would appear to be contrary to constitutional protections," says Steven Aftergood, privacy specialist at the Federation of American Scientists. "It's a challenge to the foundation of American liberties." Opponents also say the government is using the wiretaps to replace conventional criminal searches which must meet a higher legal standard. "There's a growing addiction to the use of the secret court as an alternative to more conventional investigative means," says Jonathan Turley, law professor at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. The wiretaps are meant to develop intelligence, not to help make criminal cases. But the wiretap information was used to secure guilty pleas from CIA turncoats Aldrich Ames in 1994 and Harold Nicolson in 1997. By Richard Willing, USA TODAY ©COPYRIGHT 1998 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc. ----------------------- NOTE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml ----------------------- ********************************************** To subscribe or unsubscribe, email: majordomo(a)majordomo.pobox.com with the message: (un)subscribe ignition-point email@address ********************************************** www.telepath.com/believer **********************************************

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