From: dlv@bwalk.dm.com (Dr.Dimitri Vulis KOTM)
Date: Fri, 4 Apr 1997 16:28:02 -0800 (PST)
To: cypherpunks@toad.com
Subject: Re: Feds reading this list, Jim Bell, and threats
In-Reply-To: <860166103.1027983.0@fatmans.demon.co.uk>
Message-ID: <msqN5D1w165w@bwalk.dm.com>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain


paul@fatmans.demon.co.uk writes:

> 
> > Jim is hardly the ideal poster boy for a free speech cause, but we should
> > not distance ourselves from him when he runs into problems directly
> > related to his advocacy of anonymous markets.  That cuts too closely
> > for comfort.  We should defend Jim's right to discuss AP and any other
> > institutions which may arise as a natural consequence of the capabilities
> > engendered by cryptography.  That is one of the main things this list is
> > for.  If they can silence Jim, it's going to be just a matter of time befor
> > they go after someone else.
> 
> I really cannot understand the posts I have been reading to the 
> effect that Jim Bell is a "loon" or a "terrorist" etc...
> If we do not protect the freedom of expression of the loons, fuckups, 
> terrorists and Bells of this world it will be our freedom that is 
> threatened next. As far as I know, anyway, Jim`s AP essay (the 
> original plan overview) was perfectly sane and discussed the problems 
> of people using it to commit crime by killing an innocent person as 
> well as the advantagest of the plan. 
> I will allow that some of his subsequent posts have been a little 
> "loon" like but I have never considered him to be a foaming at the 
> mouth madman as some do.

Someone said: "popular speech does not need protection".

---

Dr.Dimitri Vulis KOTM
Brighton Beach Boardwalk BBS, Forest Hills, N.Y.: +1-718-261-2013, 14.4Kbps