Cypher-Censored By Declan McCullagh (declan@well.com)

The cypherpunks mailing list, so legend goes, coalesced around two principles: the dissemination of strong encryption and an absolute commitment to free speech.

Incorrect, Cryptography and the promotion of privacy by use of same. Not "Free Speech."

Thus began a debate over what the concept of censorship means in a forum devoted to opposing it.

<sigh> see above.

Did Gilmore have the right to show Vulis the virtual door?

Yes

But what if your private club's express purpose is to cherish free speech?

Again see above, this is not a stated purpose of this list.

What does Vulis's ouster mean to the community that sprang up around this mailing list, of which he had been a member for nearly three years?

Dimitri's been here three years?

Will Rodger from Inter@ctive Week and Lewis Koch from Upside Magazine are writing about this.)

I can hardly wait (insert dripping sarcasm). It still seems people are confusing a benevolent dictatorship with some sort of democracy. Cypherpunks is just a list, a tiny, tiny portion of a small corner of the Internet. John started it (with Tim, Eric and others) and John owns it, no big deal. Dimitri was kicked out of John's "Virtual Living Room" after daring him to do so. We can all still hear his screeching from out on the virtual sidewalk. To those who call this censorship I say "To a man who only has a hammer, every problem resembles a nail." I do admire Declan's efforts however, please keep up the good work. Brian "When catapults are outlawed only outlaws will have catapults."