--
On 31 Jul 2001, at 11:53, Black Unicorn wrote:
> I wanted to make sure to correct the common misconception among
> cypherpunks that you can just thumb your nose at a court with
> impunity.
And I would like to correct the common misconception spread by lawyers that there are
magic legal formulas that will stop the state from using its power as it damn well
pleases.
The basic formula for avoiding inconvenient legislation is "ignore, do not confront"
Cryptography will do what no legal incantation can ever do: Stop the state from
getting what it wants.
The basic problem with any legal incantation is that at some point you must explain to
the authorities: "My actions were legal for this reason and that reason", explaining
in inconveniently great detail what you are doing, and their response your complicated
and highly informative explanation
will almost certainly be to hit a few times, and then lock you up. With
cryptography they have a mysterious block of unexplained and useless bits.
--digsig
James A. Donald
6YeGpsZR+nOTh/cGwvITnSR3TdzclVpR0+pr3YYQdkG
JANNmX0j07QW30P9Cc27QiqF8q5cpCo3I8liMPSB
49dFf40+yHv+hoo3KF4nAfKebsirpjIxk0HHs2agx
