Just to let you folks know, I don't take some of the comments I've been seeing here (and in e-mail) personally. That is, I fully understand that emotions run high around these topics, especially about PGP, the Clipper Chip, and patents on software. This list is for discussion, even heated discussion. We're not here to just complain about things we all despise, like the Clipper chip...for that you can read sci.crypt. I've posted my thoughts and suggestions in this spirit. I'm not in a policy-making position (how many of us are?), so some of the stronger comments about how I'm reorienting the Cypherpunks list seem, well, inappropriate. That others have said much the same thing says this is a legitimate issue to discuss on this list. By the way, I responded at length to Matthew J Miszewski's posting because that's the one I saw first. The equally well-written critiques of my points by Lance Dettweiler and Hal Finney did not arrive at my site until sometime after 2 a.m. this morning, when I last checked...though they were written and posted half a day earlier than Matt's posting. Odd delays we're having. I won't answer their point-by-point critiques, as I think my follow-up to Matt and the various other posts by Eric, Pat Farrell, Stanton M., and others have gotten the issues aired. Just to repeat, I'm not in the thrall of RSA or anyone else. I just think the issues are much larger. I'm not saying we shouldn't use PGP, nor am I suggesting Jim Bidzos should serve arrest warrants at our Cypherpunks meetings (I got a kick out of that really "over the top" charge...I took no offense1). I don't set policy for you folks. Nobody does. I'm just one more voice. Discussion won't hurt this list--if it can, then we're really in trouble. -Tim May -- Timothy C. May | Crypto Anarchy: encryption, digital money, tcmay@netcom.com | anonymous networks, digital pseudonyms, zero 408-688-5409 | knowledge, reputations, information markets, W.A.S.T.E.: Aptos, CA | black markets, smashing of governments. Higher Power: 2^756839 | Public Key: in a state of flux! Waco Massacre + Big Brother Wiretap Chip = A Nazi Regime