From: craig@passport.ca (Craig Hubley) Date: Thu, 12 Jan 1995 01:20:00 -0500 (EST) Cc: efc-talk@insight.dcss.mcmaster.ca Seems to me I have seen something like this cybersmut hype before... wasn't it called 'Reefer Madness'? The threat is no doubt overblown, but it's not all foolishness. My NY State Senator is proposing to make a felony out of initiating contact with a minor for sexual purposes. It's illegal now, but it's only a misdemeanor. I spoke to Bob Penna, the legislative aide who researched and wrote up the bill for Bill Sears. He realizes that the Internet cannot reasonably be censored, and that the solution is to be able to punish people who do it (hence the felony) and to educate parents and teachers to supervise children's online dealings (hence the travelling road show to do just that). No mention of "watch out if your child starts using encryption programs" as a sign of online abuse. Bob Penna admitted to having no online access, so I'm sure he knows nothing about encryption. -- -russ <nelson@crynwr.com> http://www.crynwr.com/crynwr/nelson.html Crynwr Software | Crynwr Software sells packet driver support | ask4 PGP key 11 Grant St. | +1 315 268 1925 (9201 FAX) | What is thee doing about it? Potsdam, NY 13676 | What part of "Congress shall make no law" eludes Congress?