This isn't the first such conference. I went to a "Virtual Diplomacy" conf a few months ago sponsored by a USG-affiliated (or funded) entity, at same the Connecticut Ave hotel where the Presidential Inaugural Ball was held. In attendence were many ambassadors, generals, and assorted Foggy Bottom bureaucrats. (Aside from the campaign trail, I've never before seen so many security men in one place before.) And the topics were the same... -Declan On Sat, 16 Aug 1997, Anonymous wrote:

Bladder Z. Neurotic wrote:

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From: HotWired by Jon Katz A letter arrived last week inviting me to a 2-day conference called "The Information Revolution: Impact on the Foundations of National Power," to be held 24-25 Sept. outside Chicago. ... For those unfamiliar with these names, they include former national-security advisors, secretaries of state, secretaries of defense, US senators, and other cabinet secretaries.

...

That I am on the list of "invitees" is both a shock and a mortification. I won't be there, though.

Jon, I think you should go to the conference. As a matter of fact I have already prepared a package I would like you to take along with you. It should be hand-carried on the plane so that it will not be bumped about during your flight. Details to follow.

TruthBomber