[9768] in Commercialization & Privatization of the Internet
Clipper X 1,000,000? "Power" Senator Tied to Spook's Plan?
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (David Rothman)
Fri Jan 21 00:56:13 1994
In-Reply-To: <199401202313.PAA03197@well.sf.ca.us>
Date: Thu, 20 Jan 94 21:05:38 -0400
To: "Robert David Steele" <steeler@well.sf.ca.us>,
From: "David Rothman" <rothman@netcom.com>
Reply-To: rothman@netcom.com
For people who tuned in late, Robert David Steele, an intelligence
consultant, wants to help shape national information policy. In his
dream world, it will especially serve folks like private investigators
and the CIA--not just schoolchildren, educators, librarians, grubby
business people and media types, or mere citizens. The new buzzphrase
is "virtual intelligence."
Via e-mail today, Robert told me he was asked to draft legislation by a
"senior staffer" with "a VERY senior Senator with enormous power."
*Which* Senator and which staffer, please? I'll also welcome replies to
*all* of the other simple questions I asked Robert today about the
funding and membership of his "OSS" group (the OSS means "Open Source
Solutions"). If nothing else, I'd like to hear if the Senator himself
knows everything about what's going on here. When Robert responds, I
hope that he'll reproduce all my questions along with his answers so
readers can make sure his information includes enough virtual
intelligence. About Open Solutions let's be open.
In his note, Robert said he found my questions "mildly offensive." So be
it. Nothing against him personally. Quite the contrary. I hear he has
many good qualities; I look forward to his literature; and if I met him
in person I'd smile and shake hands (somewhere public and *very* cheap,
please, Robert--I'm Free Enterprise around here and lack any foundation
funding).
Still, as long as he's put out a public call for "comment" to a zillion
and one lists, he needs to get his facts online now about OSS, asap,
without a nanosecond's delay. Let the 'Net community decide for itself.
No need for me to wait to receive his literature via snail.
I'm making public my reply to Robert and trust that he'll do the same
with his replies to me.
I'd hope that the EFF would pay a little attention here. Folks, as I
recall, the intelligence community did snoop on civilians and circulate
a few falsehoods in its time; it was the object of slightly skeptical
congressional scrutiny. What's going on now? Last I knew--the facts are
a little confused at this point--EFF at the very least had concerns
about the "Clipper" encryption plan that could pave the way for massive
violations of citizens' privacy.
This just might be Clipper X 1,000,000. We have a leading consultant to
the world's intelligence community (won't charge you for the plug,
Robert :-;) saying he wants to play a major role in shaping our
information system. Here I thought that librarians, educators, business
people and media types were to do the job without major help from the
spooks. Obviously I'm behind the times.
If I hadn't seen a section on Robert today in Chapter 17 of War and
Anti-War (with the Alvin and Heidi Toffler a little drowsy at the
switch), I'd still think his original post was a brilliant parody.
I urge EFF to do its job here. Librarians, educators and media people
fight for openness. Spies--even extraordinary ones--are hardly the
world's best crusaders for the First Amendment.
-David Rothman
AN OPEN LETTER TO OPEN SOURCES
Dear Robert:
First, let me say I've heard you've been nice to some young hackers, and
it's obvious you're miles ahead of the normal bureaucratic dinosaurs. I
don't confuse people with their ideas. In person, I'd shake hands and
congratulate you for speaking your mind and not hiding your background.
Still, you might want to rethink your goals. Openness and knowledge are
good goals in themselves. No need to involve the intelligence community
in any grand plan.
As I would emphasize, I myself approve of CIA folks being on the net and
benefitting from *public* information there. Too, I believe that CIA
people, Marine intelligence pros, and anyone else should get helpful
and courteous treatment from librarians--virtually or in person.
But, please, don't poison our country's information system by having
intelligence people or hangers-on involved in the planning.
If you want to do some good, then fight for K-12 networks, a universally
affordable national library online for all, and the development of
*affordable*, book-friendly computers. Such causes aren't as glamorous
as the spy biz, but would be a lot more productive.
And the Internet? Promote it domestically. And press, press, press for
further expansion in the Third World.
Years ago, in the Washington Post, the San Jose Mercury, the Detroit
Free Press, the Miami Herald, International Health News and elsewhere, I
myself proposed an Electronic Peace Corps to exchange information with
Third World elites. I also suggested that the EPC could work for better
telcom in LDCs.
Wire up the Third World and you will promote openness and, in the
process, serve the intelligence community along with everyone else. But
again, please let's not mix intelligence needs with a national or
international information system. It would be bad for all. What's more,
it would be especially bad for the Internet. Nowadays this is a *global*
system for everyone, not just people in the U.S.
Often when I mention my TeleRead proposal online, more than a few
responses come from abroad--some from people exceedingly eager to buy
U.S. products via modem.
We should watch out for national interest, but let's not alienate our
friends and customers.
If you want America to be more competitive--as I do!--then fight for
better schools, and for affordable computers for *all* of our students to
take home and use on nets.
Simply put, let's not confuse narrow-minded intelligence goals with
knowledge for all.
Best of luck to you personally, Robert. Worst of luck to your plan.
--David
**************************************************************************
David H. Rothman "So we beat on, boats against
rothman@netcom.com the current...."
805 N. Howard St., #240
Alexandria, Va. 22304
703-370-6540(o)(h)
I *encourage* online reproduction of my public postings.
Permission hereby granted--implicit, explicit, whatever. Down
with unnecessary restrictions on the flow of knowledge!
**************************************************************************
