- cypherpunks-legacy - lists.cpunks.org

Sniper rifle implants tracking chip
by Poindexter＠SAFe-mail.net 17 Apr '04

17 Apr '04

I wonder if this site was put up for April 1st. http://www.backfire.dk/EMPIRENORTH/newsite/products_en001.htm also see their homeland security alert product http://www.backfire.dk/EMPIRENORTH/newsite/products_en002.htm

1 0

Anonymity vs reputation question
by Thomas Shaddack 17 Apr '04

17 Apr '04

Thinking about something, I found an interesting problem. It is possible to set up a reputation-based system with nyms, where every nym is an identity with attached reputation. The problem is, a nym that exists for a long time can get its anonymity partially or fully compromised. Abandonment of the nym and using a blank one leads to loss of the reputation and related credibility. Is it possible to have a system where nyms can share reputation without divulging the links between them? That would allow the possibility of eg. publishing as a "new" identity while still having the "weight" of an already established seasoned professional. I suppose this problem is already known and maybe even solved. Am I correct?

2 1

Vote Market
by Tim Benham 16 Apr '04

16 Apr '04

> Date: Fri, 16 Apr 2004 11:43:57 -0700 > From: Ed Gerck <egerck(a)nma.com> > Subject: Re: voting > > David Jablon wrote: > > I think Ed's criticism is off-target. Where is the "privacy problem" > > with Chaum receipts when Ed and others still have the freedom to refuse > > theirs or throw them away? > > The privacy, coercion, intimidation, vote selling and election integrity > problems begin with giving away a receipt that is linkable to a ballot. > > It is not relevant to the security problem whether a voter may destroy > his receipt, so that some receipts may disappear. What is relevant is > that voters may HAVE to keep their receipt or... suffer retaliation... > not get paid... lose their jobs... not get a promotion... etc. Also > relevant is that voters may WANT to keep their receipts, for the same > reasons. I think all this concern about voter coercion is rather overblown. Maybe we should ban bank statements because people might be coerced into showing them to someone and punished for hiding their money. Receipts might open up opportunities for voter coercion but there are mechanisms for combatting coercion other than coercive anonymity. What is missing in this discussion is mention of the benefits which would flow from making voter anonymity optional. Non-anonymous voting is a necessary precondition for a vote market. As I'm sure everyone on this list appreciates, markets work better than elections, and indeed, under a vote market system the negative externalities imposed on other markets by the electoral process would be mitigated. This is because unlike under the current system, under the vote market system the outcome would often be certain well in advance, greatly reducing the impact of political risk on markets. The vote market system would also offer a means for mitigating political risk via transparent market processes rather than the through the current rather slezy practises. There would be social dividends too. The people most likely to sell their vote would be poor people who would benefit from a new and regular source of income. The existence of a vote market would encourage these people, who often feel disenfranchised, to participate in the electoral system, albeit in a venal way. It would also help increase the average intelligence of the vote, because rich people and corporations are generally smarter than poor people. I commend the vote market to the list. cheers, Tim

2 1

Re: Hierarchy, Force Monopoly, and Geodesic Societies
by Major Variola (ret) 16 Apr '04

16 Apr '04

At 01:56 PM 4/8/04 -0400, R. A. Hettinga wrote: >[Nanotechology at least holds out the possibility of making Von >Neumann machines, that is, switches which make copies of themselves, You mean Johnny's *replicators*, a vN machine is just one with a changable program store. But you mentioned Jared Diamond (and used the phrase "proto-cat") so you are forgiven. When a bunch of >these networks are hooked together, you get a ubiquitous geodesic >internetwork, the internet, Geodesic means shortest path, and you'll note if you play with tracert that the shortest path (as seen on Earth's surface) is rarely taken. What you really mean is "highly & cheaply connected", although your investment in the word "geodesic" is probably too far gone for you to change.

6 17

RE: voting
by Trei, Peter 16 Apr '04

16 Apr '04

> Ed Gerck[SMTP:egerck@nma.com] > > John Kelsey wrote: > > > > At 11:05 AM 4/9/04 -0400, Trei, Peter wrote: > > .... > > >1. The use of receipts which a voter takes from the voting place to > 'verify' > > >that their vote was correctly included in the total opens the way for > voter > > >coercion. > > > > I think the VoteHere scheme and David Chaum's scheme both claim to solve > > this problem. The voting machine gives you a receipt that convinces you > > (based on other information you get) that your vote was counted as cast, > > but which doesn't leak any information at all about who you voted for to > > anyone else. Anyone can take that receipt, and prove to themselves that > > your vote was counted (if it was) or was not counted (if it wasn't). > > The flaw in *both* cases is that it reduces the level of privacy > protection > currently provided by paper ballots. > > Currently, voter privacy is absolute in the US and does not depend > even on the will of the courts. For example, there is no way for a > judge to assure that a voter under oath is telling the truth about how > they voted, or not. This effectively protects the secrecy of the ballot > and prevents coercion and intimidation in all cases. > > I'd pretty much dropped this topic after it became clear that Mr. Leichter's only response to the problems that people pointed out in VoteHere's scheme (in particular, its vulnerability to vote coercion, and lack of recountability) was to attempt to redefine them as non-problems. However, since the topic has arisen again..... Ed's got a very good point. I always prefer security which relies for its integrity on the laws of nature, rather than on people behaving with integrity. Peter Trei

2 1

RE: US Brings Freedom of Expression to Iraq
by Major Variola (ret) 16 Apr '04

16 Apr '04

At 03:33 PM 4/15/04 -0400, Tyler Durden wrote: >Ah shit I hate hearing this. Is it possible to retroactively re-cast a >"terrorist" attack (eg, World Trade Center) into regular old, 'valid' >warfare? Bush policies seem to be doing this. We are freedom fighters. They are terrorists. Any questions? >Meanwhile, it seems Al Qaeda has offered some kind of bizarre 'treaty" to >the Europeans while hardening their stance on the US. SOunds like there >getting smarter... What is bizarre about offering a contract? "Get your filthy hands off my desert xor suffer for not doing same" The US said the same (with a more temperate piece of real estate) to the UK, once. Apparently some need to be reminded that gentlemen don't occupy other countries. There are comments in the oral contract which remind the populace that they suffer for the behavior of their "leaders". Its all very obvious. Osama, bless his naif little heart, even credits the populace with being rational, and with controlling the leaders. Obviously he's not paid close enough attention, but reception is poor in the hills. Maybe he thinks Spain's sensitivity is typical. Maybe the weeks leading up to the next US Election will be extra fun. Good luck getting any reasonable discussion about the truce in this country. There's also a PR value to other Moslems in offering a truce. And the morality of warning before acting. Maybe some stego value too, but that would be paranoid.

2 1

VIA Pulls PadLockSL (fwd from brian-slashdotnews@hyperreal.org)
by Eugen Leitl 16 Apr '04

16 Apr '04

----- Forwarded message from brian-slashdotnews(a)hyperreal.org -----

1 0

DIMACS Workshop on Electronic Voting -- Theory and Practice
by R. A. Hettinga 15 Apr '04

15 Apr '04

--- begin forwarded text

1 0

RE: US Brings Freedom of Expression to Iraq
by Tyler Durden 15 Apr '04

15 Apr '04

"I don't suppose there'll be any civilians in AmeriKKKa either, and therefore, it will be impossible to label any destructive act committed against the US, either at home or abroad, as "terrorist."" Ah shit I hate hearing this. Is it possible to retroactively re-cast a "terrorist" attack (eg, World Trade Center) into regular old, 'valid' warfare? Bush policies seem to be doing this. Meanwhile, it seems Al Qaeda has offered some kind of bizarre 'treaty" to the Europeans while hardening their stance on the US. SOunds like there getting smarter... -TD >From: Eric Cordian <emc(a)artifact.psychedelic.net> >To: cypherpunks(a)minder.net >Subject: US Brings Freedom of Expression to Iraq >Date: Thu, 15 Apr 2004 11:02:53 -0700 (PDT) > >For extra credit, try to find even one mainstream newspaper in AmeriKKKa's >Rah Rah "free" press in which this international wireservice story is >printed. > >See the Neocons argue that because the story only appears in the Arab >press, it can't be true. Hey, it worked with Accused Jewish War Criminal >Ariel Sharon's "The Jewish people control AmeriKKKa" remarks. > >Somehow, I don't think beating people and bulldozing their houses and >businesses every time some writing or image the US chooses to characterize >as "anti-Coalition" is spotted, does much to further the US message that >we are bringing "democracy" to Iraq, and that those opposed to our >behavior "hate our freedoms." > >It's too bad an alien power can't just lift all 157,000 US troops and >associated military hardware from Iraq, compact it into a cube, and drop >it on the White House lawn for Shrub to explain to the AmeriKKKan people. > >I once said "there are no civilians in Israel, not even the babies" after >the Jewish people re-elected Accused War Criminal and Egregious Human >Rights Violator Ariel Sharon in an overwhelming landslide, >enthusiastically supporting his defiance of International Law, and >deliberate oppression of the Palestinian people. > >If the AmeriKKKan people re-elect George W. Bush, who has made a mockery >of the UNited Nations, started a war of conquest based on deliberate lies, >in violation of International Law, with complete contempt for the wishes >of the world community, I don't suppose there'll be any civilians in >AmeriKKKa either, and therefore, it will be impossible to label any >destructive act committed against the US, either at home or abroad, as >"terrorist." > >----- > >KUT, Iraq (AFP) - An Iraqi has died of his wounds after US troops beat >him with truncheons because he refused to remove a picture of wanted >Shiite Muslim leader Moqtada al-Sadr from his car, police said >Wednesday. > >The motorist was stopped late Tuesday by US troops conducting search >operations on a street in the central city of Kut, Lieutenant Mohamad >Abdel Abbas told AFP. > >After the man refused to remove al-Sadr's picture from his car, the >soldiers forced him out of the vehicle and started beating him with >truncheons, he said. > >US troops also detained from the same area five men wearing black >pants and shirts, the usual attire of al-Sadr's Mehdi Army militiamen >and followers. > >Qassem Hassan, the director of Kut general hospital, identified the >man as Salem Hassan, a resident of a Kut suburb. > >He said the man had died of wounds sustained in the beating. > >-- >Eric Michael Cordian 0+ >O:.T:.O:. Mathematical Munitions Division >"Do What Thou Wilt Shall Be The Whole Of The Law" > _________________________________________________________________ MSN Toolbar provides one-click access to Hotmail from any Web page FREE download! http://toolbar.msn.com/go/onm00200413ave/direct/01/

1 0

OHP's Col. Paul McClellan Makes Misleading Statements about MATRIX Database?
by Freematt357＠aol.com 15 Apr '04

15 Apr '04

Note from Matt Gaylor: Ohio Highway Patrol Superintendent, Colonel McClellan says in the below article that the availability of the Matrix database could have brought more law-enforcement attention sooner to the recent Columbus-area car shootings that included the killing Nov. 25 of Gail Knisley on I-270. Additionally, Colonel McClellan commented that he can get better Intel from the public library than he can at his office. Col. McClellan's statements are somewhat strange given the fact that Ohio had already been enrolled in the MATRIX database surveillance system during the sniper shootings. This raises the question of the usefulness of the MATRIX system in general or the Patrol's ability to use the system. Col. McClellan gives the impression that Ohio does not have access to the MATRIX system, when in fact Ohio does. --- Article published Friday, April 9, 2004 Database search system debated Police agencies, civil libertarians divided over online records access By DAVID PATCH BLADE STAFF WRITER http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040409/NEWS03/40409… 85/-1/NEWS Information in a controversial database searching system already is publicly available but not coordinated so law-enforcement officials can easily use it to investigate crimes or thwart terrorism, the head of the Ohio Highway Patrol told a local trucking group yesterday."Right now, the public library has better information than we do," Col. Paul McClellan, the patrol's superintendent, told the Toledo Trucking Association at the Toledo Club. "When I go home at night, I can find out more about people by surfing the Internet on my home computer than I can in my office." The MATRIX search system, which combs public records like driver's licenses, vehicle registrations, court records, and land transaction information, is available only to law-enforcement personnel with a specific investigative purpose, the colonel said. The system, whose name stands for Multi-State Anti-Terrorism Information Exchange, is managed by a Florida firm under contract to five states that are piloting it, including Ohio and Michigan. So far, however, Ohio is not fully participating by contributing photos or Social Security numbers from its licensing records, the colonel said. Civil libertarians argue that the system is an open invitation for police to track the behavior of ordinary citizens, regardless of their involvement in criminal or terrorist activities. MATRIX effectively is "an advanced surveillance system" designed not only to "build dossiers on all of our lives," but also to allow rapid mathematical searches for supposed irregular patterns that might identify troublemakers, according to the American Civil Liberties Union. "Judgments about reasonable suspicion of criminal activity are fundamentally human judgments that cannot now be made accurately by computers," the ACLU said in a recent position paper on the subject. "They make it sound like such an ominous project, but it's not. It's very open," responded Sal Hernandez, vice president of Seisint, Inc., a Boca Raton, Fla.-based information services firm that pioneered the system and manages it for its multistate clients. MATRIX data represent "things the cops already have, but it's putting it all in one place and letting the police access it faster." Dean Kaplan, the trucking association's president who, with his wife, operates a local trucking firm specializing in hazardous materials transport, said his main concern about the system would be if its capability "gets into the wrong hands." Seisint asserts that the system is protected by the most advanced online security available. Colonel McClellan, meanwhile, said that availability of such a system could have brought more law-enforcement attention sooner to the recent spate of Columbus-area car shootings that included the killing Nov. 25 of Gail Knisley on I-270. Only after Mrs. Knisley's death did area police start comparing notes and realize that each had received similar reports of gunshots hitting vehicles on I-270 and other nearby roads, he said. A system like MATRIX would have allowed various agencies to enter what they knew about the case and start narrowing the field of suspects sooner, he said. Charles C. McCoy, Jr., 28, who was arrested March 17 in Las Vegas, pleaded not guilty Monday to charges accusing him of 12 of 24 shootings dating to May, 2003. Contact David Patch at: dpatch(a)theblade.com or 419-724-6094. ### Distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. ---

1 0