[10100] in Commercialization & Privatization of the Internet
Re: Congress Wades In
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Dave Hughes)
Mon Feb 7 16:19:19 1994
From: dave@oldcolo.com (Dave Hughes)
To: brock@well.sf.ca.us (Brock N. Meeks)
Date: Mon, 7 Feb 1994 14:16:07 -0700 (MST)
Cc: com-priv@psi.com (compriv)
In-Reply-To: <199402071841.KAA01650@well.sf.ca.us> from "Brock N. Meeks" at Feb 7, 94 10:41:44 am
Brock Meeks sez:
>
> Despite Leahy's misgivings, the Administration and law
> enforcement agencies continue to bank on the success of Clipper
> because most criminals are "just dumb," the FBI has stated
> repeatedly.
>
> Edwards said the new policy "won't stop terrorists and drug
> traffickers from acquiring encryption technology," adding he
> hoped President Clinton would "look at this policy again."
>
> Leahy's office said he *wants* to hear from the
> public on the matter of holding hearings. Any and all comments
> on the viability of the program, any concerns the public has,
> should be sent to Leahy immediately, a staffer said. Leahy can
> be reached at: Committee on the Judiciary, Washington, DC 20510;
> his phone number is 202-224-3406.
>
>
Well, I called that number, immediatley got a staffer and said loud
and clear that:
(1)I think Leahy should hold hearings on Clipper
(2)That if the FBI thinks high tech criminals are 'just dumb'
they are going to be in for a shock.
(3)While the use of Clipper is supposed to be 'voluntary' it is
clear as a bell to me, since every system is being connected to
every system in the world, that defacto, those who don;t have
Clipper are going to be forced to get it to permit encrypted
messaging.
(4)That being the case, small businesses etc are going to be forced
to make new hardware investments jsut to communicate.
(5)that with all the Administration hype about K-99 Internet
educational connections, and with Dept of Ed, NASA, Dept of Energy,
and allteh OTHER Federal agencies whom presumably will be
compelled to get Clipper, that means that all, or most of the
'educational institutions' that communicate with the Agencies
are going to be forced likewise.
So that I thought Clipper sucks as a solution, for the only
entitites who will have to really get into it are the law
abiding, while the lawless will go on their merry way.
The Leahy staffer said he sure would pass on my remarks and
call for a hearing.
I also said that, of all the senior leadership in Washington,
Sen Pat Leahy is ONE whom I would trust making good judgements
on telecom issues - having followed his efforts in the past.
Dave Hughes
