Got this in the mail. Pardon me if it turns out to be spam, but it's relevant. Pardons to unnamed folx who prefer only crypto stuff. ------- Forwarded Message Follows ------- telstar@wired.com (--Todd Lappin-->) wrote: While I warms my heart to know that the American Family Association thinks the Communications Decency act is a dud, the following message demonstrates that the organization does not intend to let the issue rest. Specifically, they're now seeking to expand the scope of Internet Service Provider (ISP) liability for "indecent" content. That makes about as much sense as asking AT&T to censor your telephone conversations, but regardless... the bottom line is that the American Family Association is *very* determined to impose its social agenda on cyberspace through government legislation. Moreover, at this point it's hardly clear to what extent ISP's are or are not liable for online content under the CURRENT provisions of the Communcations Decency Act. Given this ambiguity, a more stringent clamp-down would only expand the "chilling effect" on free speech. Spread the word! --Todd Lappin--> Section Editor WIRED Magazine ========================================= COMPUTER PORNOGRAPHY LAW NOT WORKING, SAYS AFA WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- American Family Association issued the following: "Less than one week after the Communications Decency Act was signed into law by President Clinton, it is obvious that the law, designed to curb computer pornography, is not working and never will work," said Patrick Trueman, director of American Family Association governmental affairs. This fact was made clear by the action this week of CompuServe, a major access provider to the Internet, to restore access to pornographic Internet sites it had recently blocked under pressure from German prosecutors. Access providers to the Internet have a financial incentive to provide access to pornography and they will not block such sites until they are under a legalobligation to do so, Trueman said. The Communications Decency Act included specific provisions protecting access providers from criminal liability and until those provisions are repealed, CDA will be nearly useless, he added. Trueman wrote to leaders of pro-family groups today urging them to unite behind a tough anti-pornography measure like that sponsored by Congressman Henry Hyde. The Hyde measure, which would have made anyone liable who knowingly and intentionally provides pornography to children or obscene pornography to anyone, was defeated in committee by supporters of CDA. "The reality is CDA does not work and it will never work. For its enforcement it relies on a massive number of prosecutions by the Justice Department of individuals who put illegal pornography on the Internet while the major distributors and money makers from the distribution of pornography -- the access providers -- are given a free ride," Trueman said in his letter to pro-family leaders. Trueman urged pro-family leaders to act now to change the law. "There is no point in waiting months or years. CompuServe has made that clear in its recent actions which demonstrate that the law has little, if any, deterrent effect," Trueman said in his letter. CONTACT: Patrick A. Trueman of the American Family Association: 202-544-0061 ### Rob. --- Send a blank message with the subject "send pgp-key" (not in quotes) to <WlkngOwl@unix.asb.com> for a copy of my PGP key.