At 9:14 AM -0800 5/19/97, Chris DiBona wrote:
<RANT>
I couldn't disagree with you more Tim.
If the FBI wants to come raid a Cypherpunk meeting and arrest me, they should be ready for a law suit that will make thier heads spin. I mean can you think of anything more protected by the first amendment than a bunch of hobbiest getting together to discuss math, for christs sakes? I know a couple of lawyers who would drool at the chance to defend someone who is lily white and is arrested for meeting and discussing prime numbers.
To suggest the cessation of meetings (no matter how worthless Dimitri) really seems to me to be counter to everything this group is about.
Fine that you disagree. I think a lot of Feds would view a meeting of 40-50 people discussing assassination politics, violating U.S. export laws, modifications of semi-automatic rifles to make them more effective in counter-gov't-terrorism, etc, to be a "ripe target." Good for publicity on the evening news. (At the 20-30 meetings I have been at over the last almost 5 years, very few of them have revolved around "discussing prime numbers.") Whether it stands up in court depends on the charges. As for you being willing to file a lawsuit that will make their heads spin, good for you. But to win a lawsuit, one has to have a case. And the laws are written broadly these days, and I doubt such a case would be won. (Did anything ever come of the police actions at the "2600" meetings in D.C. a few years back? I don't recall all of the details, but I gather the cops either moved in and made arrests, or maybe just watched and took down license plate numbers.) By all means, have meetings. I just intend to be in places where I can have defensive weapons at the ready (which has been at some Cypherpunks physical meetings, of course). --Tim May There's something wrong when I'm a felon under an increasing number of laws. Only one response to the key grabbers is warranted: "Death to Tyrants!" ---------:---------:---------:---------:---------:---------:---------:---- Timothy C. May | Crypto Anarchy: encryption, digital money, tcmay@got.net 408-728-0152 | anonymous networks, digital pseudonyms, zero W.A.S.T.E.: Corralitos, CA | knowledge, reputations, information markets, Higher Power: 2^1398269 | black markets, collapse of governments. "National borders aren't even speed bumps on the information superhighway."