In regards to the name of the group... I think that we should organize and establish a Public relations group NOT associated directly with the cypherpunks, but with well established people in the industry that can and should put on a professional image to the public and be a spokesperson representing us as a whole. In this sense, the name of "cypherpunks" as our group is totally irrevelant. As far as I'm concerned it's just the name of the mailing list, but I sort of like that name myself, and have on ocassion used it in public interviews etc. It is publically known that I'm involved with the MacPGP effort in the cause to put forth my programming skills to better serve the Cypherpunk community. But I decline to be a spokesperson for several reasons I'll take up privatly with anyone who wants to know. With my bad rap, and somewhat controversial past, I feel that someone else can better serve the cypherpunk community in this PR effort. Just yesterday, I talked with Craig Larson who has offered some PR suggestions, and he says that he might drop by the cypherpunk meeting between 4 and 6 pm. In the meantime, I'll try and elaborate on some of his PR ideas with the group. First off, Craig suggests having 3 or more press briefings seperated by about two weeks, with emphesis on making it very newsworthey, and by professionals attening, such as the cypherpunks spokesperson, perhaps RSA folks, FBI folks, and other people on hand to ask the right questions that should bring out these issues to the public. I've delt with the press before, and all they are interested in is RAW NEWS, and anything else to sell the story. In other words, "money talks and bullshit walks". NEWS!! is the key.... The more controversy we can generate (And important issues) the better we will be able to get the word out to the John Q. Public. There are TV interviews, background stories, and lets not forget recent news of matters not so related to cryptography, such as hacker busts, and other newsworthey things related to the computer industry that CAN be somewhat related and tied to cryptography. The goals of the press meeting would be to get the word out to as many concerned citizens as possible with an emphasis on ANALOGYS such as "Clipper technology is like giving the police the keys to your house" or something like that. JD