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How do we know the proposed legislation wasn't just a smoke screen? Isn't it possible that the Feds have already compromised Intel or MicroSoft? Is there some way to be sure that the new 486 chip running your computer isn't recording each PGP or RSA private key you generate?

S a n d y ssandfort@attmail.com

Sheesh. I guess you just have to stand back and admire this level of paranoia. Can we establish a 'Cypherpunks Paranoia Achievement Award' for this? Shortly thereafter Sandy sez: "Hey, wait a minnit... just _why are you voting for ME?" Technically, Kelly G.'s suggestion notwithstanding, I think this is definitely a computationally-impossible task. However: in a very specific circumstance, such as some foreign spook who's already under surveillance by the feds, I suppose it's possible to create a one-time special chip that might record keystrokes (or transmit them to a van, etc.) and then be replaced *physically* with a replacement. The intelligence necessary to coordinate an operation such as this, however, is pretty involved. Personally, since I have NO interest in offing the President, I doubt they're gonna bother with me. Not only that, but also this: imho, it's more than _probable_ that the Feds have compromised both Intel & Microsoft, but, as the old Polish saying goes: "You can put your shoes in the oven, but that don't make 'em biscuits." d-d-dave