Phillip M. Hallam-Baker writes:

...

No, the real danger in weak crypto is that the poorly-informed will not think about it *at all*. If we had "poor crypto", Newt probably wouldn't have been embarrassed by this sort of casual interception, and the issue wouldn't have been raised in the public mind. But our communications still wouldn't be safe from more determined attackers. Brouhahas like these are good for the pro-(strong-)crypto agenda.

Not the way we've being going on, Zero coverage of the crypto issue, zip, nada.

It was pointed out (in network newscasts, for example) that cellular communications are completely unprotected and available for the taking by anyone with a radio scanner. I count this as good exposure even if the alternatives weren't explicitly discussed. -- Jeff