++> From: koontzd@lrcs.loral.com (David Koontz ) + >Cypherpunks are providing the basis for long-range, (relatively) secure + >communication between those activists and thinkers who may have the + >power to bring down the State and restore the individual autonomy this + >nation was originally devised to foster. ++> As I understand it the Libertarian Party qualifies membership to ++> exclude any endorsement of violent overthrow of government. 1] I didn't see that the writer said anything about Libertarians. 2] I didn't get the impression that the writer was specifically calling for the violent overthrow of the government, only that he/she believed that actual violence _might_ eventually come. ++> While some ++> portion of those affected by this policy may well have gone ++> underground... Of course, I cannot personally say with any accuracy, but I feel strongly that a private ("underground," if you prefer) network of those discussing radical options must exist as a direct result of more secure communication. I have no evidence of this, but it seems like such an obvious and irresistable consequence that I can't picture it NOT happening, especially considering the numbers of pissed-off people using computer networks these days. ++> I don't believe that cypherpunks as a committee of the ++> whole are willing or ready to do so. 1] I didn't get the impression that the writer was saying that Cypherpunks were part of any such conspiracy, if it even exists, but only that Cypherpunks tech aided their communications. 2] I have also never been clear on how formal an organization Cypherpunks actually are - if they actually have a platform or a membership roster or secret handshakes or have turned the word "Cypherpunks" into a registered trademark with marketing licensed for logoed adjustable size baseball caps and childrens' lunchbox sets. Is there sufficient officialness for the result of a nut with "CYPHERPUNKS!" on his chest in Magic Marker biting off Hillary Roddam's left thumb at a press conference to be the forfeiture of Tim May's personal fortune under RICO? I wonder. ++> Then again as someone pointed out yesterday, cypherpunks aren't just ++> libertarians... Whatever gave you the idea that they were? ++> Some ++> portion, however large of those receiving this mailing list, may not ++> agree with this political leaning and may not consider it germaine to ++> their participation. Certainly true enough, but who claims to "speak" for cypherpunks anyway? ++> Avoiding the appearance of endorsing the violent overthrow of ++> government is prudent policy for any organization. Hell, yes. If I were signing my name to stuff, I'd be as benightedly pro-Statist in my posts as David Sternlight himself.