Re: LYNX-DEV Lynx and on-line banking (Vote Libertarian)

[Tom Zerucha]

On Wed, 16 Oct 1996, David Combs wrote:

> I don't think I'd worry too much about the illegality
> of a mere stub or links to runtime-loadable (and specifiable)
> library.  It's right on the "edge" of the (legal) paper.

It is not on the edge of the paper, our legal system is on the edge
between Natural Law (Endowed by our creator (or as rational human
beings for the atheists in the audience) with inalienable rights) and
Positive Law (rights are what the legislature and courts say they are at
the moment).

> Besides, if you can say you are doing it for the BLIND, so
> that THE BLIND can do banking, etc, from their HOME, without
> having to go OUTSIDE for a DANGEROUS TRIP (being BLIND, they
> might get RUN OVER by someone) to the downtown bank in person...
> 
> I mean, whoever these jackbooted people are, their political
> bosses aren't about to let them do something so STUPID as
> go after something that is for the benefit of THE BLIND.

At least not until after the election.  Bob Dole says he wants to drop
export controls, and he was point on the Americans with Disabilities Act. 
But he is not a civil libertarian, and the Republicans have only talked
about fixing this.  One reason I am supporting the development of Lynx is
the blind.  I benefit indirectly. 

> Especially since you are not really exporting ANY (illegal)
> crypt-code.
> 
> I think we're worrying too much about this one thing, when
> our REAL worry is Mr. Bill (not clinton!).

Actually I worry more about Ms Janet [Reno].  There were more tanks in
Waco than in Somalia.  And ask Billy Dale [Fired from the White house
travel office, then had the FBI and IRS turned on him - found innocent
after hundreds of thousands in legal bills].

> Besides, within a year or maybe much less, there will be
> so many other people raising a rukus about these restrictions
> that they will get weakened.  At least for stub or links
> to user-owned runtime-libraries.

<CAMPAIGN AD>
One can hope, but [Shameless plug follows], Government doesn't work.  Buy
Harry Brown's book (or contribute to the Libertarian party a sufficent
amount to get one as a premium).  Read the chapter on "Innocence is no
defense".
</CAMPAIGN AD>

<SOAPBOX> 
The fact that anyone with a few years of computer science outside of the
US can take the code in Lynx, merge it with SSLeay (or simply use the
version of Mosaic in an adjacent directory on the main SSLeay site) and
have the best strong crypto is no reason for the government not to want to
have a gun to hold to the head of US companies.  How else are they going
to force companies to implement key escrow?

The next fun thing will be whether it will be illegal to publish
information or software that will take the messages with escrow sections
and replace those sections with gibberish.  Someone managed to do this
with the clipper chip (alter the LEAF - law enforcement access field).
</SOAPBOX>

If you care about your civil liberties, wealth, and the next generation,
vote Libertarian.

http://www.harrybrowne96.org
http://www.lp.org
1-800-682-1776

I apologize for the online campaigning, but if you want to help fix the
situation, this is one small contribution you can make.  Please continue
any of the political discussion off-line

address@hidden
finger address@hidden for PGP key

;
; To UNSUBSCRIBE:  Send a mail message to address@hidden
;                  with "unsubscribe lynx-dev" (without the
;                  quotation marks) on a line by itself.
;