From: "Perry E. Metzger" <pmetzger@lehman.com>
Why all this silly speculation? We will all know the complete answers soon enough. There is no need for us to reach out and "investigate".
ah yes, just like everyone 'soon enough' knew the 'complete answers' behind the Steve Jackson Games investigation. All we have to do is sit around and wait for it to be handed to us by everyone involved, including The Enemy. Look at that E911 investigation -- this was an example of *community* involvement. Laywers on *both* sides were unaware of the fact that E911 documents were publicly available, that they could even be *ordered* from Mountain Bell with no restriction, until someone 'out there' made the link and pointed it out -- and this was a *very* significant aspect of the defense case.
"We" need no information. We are not the attorneys. EFF and the rest are involved and have fine lawyers and investigators. Anything "We" uncover will be useful only for personal amusement.
the situation *directly affects* us *now*. what is the scope of the grand jury investigation? could it potentially be *expanded* beyond this initial inquiry? what about sites that are currently distributing PGP outside the U.S.? what about the fact that cypherpunks have *always* been closely involved with PGP and its international distribution?
"We" don't even have our facts right -- the "NSA" has not been directly harassing ANYONE.
say *what*?! Grady Ward has been posting for over a week on a bazillion Usenet groups that Agent X from the NSA has contacted him, with a phone number, fax, and identification standard for NSA employees (I forwarded one of his early messages here). A representative from Austin Code Works informed a Cypherpunk (who wasn't afraid to do a little poking around himself) they have been prodded by the NSA months prior over DES export. And "the NSA has not been directly harassing ANYONE." well, yes, I guess they haven't stuck anybody on the rack, if that's what you mean.
I'd calm down, Mr. Detweiler. Write some code -- its a productive persuit.
ah yes, I'm 'persuing' the sequels to PGP and Moby Crypt right now <g> you seem to be fundamentally averse to excitement. this is the Cryptographic Case of a decade, and we're all to just wait patiently for the bleached official reports prior to a proper, dainty discussion? not I. but in deference to you, Mr. Metzger, and others, I will not post any more speculation ... without some new juicy articles to speculate on :)