From: hoz@univel.telescan.com (rick hoselton)
To: cypherpunks@toad.com
Message Hash: ca0437fcf61792c591e786a05a1d3671574c3b55bbca7f7e359c4aee3d2ccb82
Message ID: <199604281408.HAA09274@toad.com>
Reply To: N/A
UTC Datetime: 1996-04-28 20:55:06 UTC
Raw Date: Mon, 29 Apr 1996 04:55:06 +0800
From: hoz@univel.telescan.com (rick hoselton)
Date: Mon, 29 Apr 1996 04:55:06 +0800
To: cypherpunks@toad.com
Subject: Book: The President's Eyes Only
Message-ID: <199604281408.HAA09274@toad.com>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain
I just finished reading "For the President's Eyes Only",
a book by Christopher Andrew. It describes the uses
that US presidents have made of intelligence and
intelligence organizations, from George Washington to
George Bush.
What caught my eye first was a quotation by David Kahn
that says: "This is the most important book ever
written about American intelligence."
The cypherpunks relevance (Besides the David Kahn quote) is
the frequent mention of NSA decrypts and SIGINT. The frequency
that nations and individuals have used (and apparently continue
to use) breakable encryption is incredible. The intelligence
that has been derived by breaking them is worth a great deal,
in dollars and maybe lives. This book has made me understand a
bit, why a government might try to limit strong cryptography.
I suppose I tended to look upon ITAR restrictions on cryptography
as a sign of a power-hungry, self-agrandizing, government that has
lost track of the fact that its legitimacy depends on protecting
the blessings of liberty for its citizens. That's partly true,
but there's more to it than that.
After reading "For the President's Eyes Only", I can understand that
many in government believe that they are protecting the public by
outlawing cryptography. After careful reconsideration, I still
believe in strong free crypto, but it made me think very hard.
I think that some on this list and in sci.crypt should be ashamed of
their ad hominem attacks in an area where reasonable people disagree.
The crypto-game is being played "for keeps". Someday, all crypto
may be too strong to break, but for right now, many "bad guys"
(and whatever your philosophy, I bet you can find some) use weak
crypto, and this allows the US Govt. to know more about what goes
on in the world. As long as Uncle Sam keeps his finger on a nuclear
trigger, I can see a strong case that knowing what he's doing and
not getting too surprised are (mostly) good things.
There will be a price to pay when everyone uses strong crypto.
There will be great benefits derived, as well. It will be very
expensive, but worth it. If we want to make it happen sooner,
we should understand (and respect) our opponents in this debate.
Rick F. Hoselton (who doesn't claim to present opinions for others)
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