Return-Path: Received: (majordomo@vger.kernel.org) by vger.kernel.org via listexpand id ; Mon, 4 Mar 2002 12:03:45 -0500 Received: (majordomo@vger.kernel.org) by vger.kernel.org id ; Mon, 4 Mar 2002 12:03:36 -0500 Received: from mtao1.east.cox.net ([68.1.17.244]:4247 "EHLO lakemtao01.cox.net") by vger.kernel.org with ESMTP id ; Mon, 4 Mar 2002 12:03:32 -0500 Message-ID: <3C83A8BC.B1CC16B2@randomlogic.com> Date: Mon, 04 Mar 2002 09:02:52 -0800 From: "Paul G. Allen" Organization: Random Logic X-Mailer: Mozilla 4.77 [en] (X11; U; Linux 2.4.17 i686) X-Accept-Language: en MIME-Version: 1.0 To: "Linux kernel developer's mailing list" CC: "kplug-list@kernel-panic.org" , "kplug-lpsg@kernel-panic.org" , newbie Subject: Re: SSSCA: We're in trouble now In-Reply-To: <1015028463.2276.231.camel@thanatos> <87bse7nz8g.fsf@CERT.Uni-Stuttgart.DE> <20020304083055.GB21138@hh.idb.hist.no> <003d01c1c360$96194600$0201a8c0@homer> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Sender: linux-kernel-owner@vger.kernel.org X-Mailing-List: linux-kernel@vger.kernel.org [Cross posted for informational importance] Martin Eriksson wrote: > > > My stepfather just recently figured out that you can actually DRAG a window > around the desktop. I don't think he will be using a rootkit in some time, > and I am pretty sure he don't know anyting about SSSCA, nor will he, nor > will he be able to understand if I told him. > You've touched on one of the main problems that spurs these kinds of laws along through the system: People don't know about them or understand them. Those of us that do know and understand them, and their implications, need to speak up and explain them to those that do not. Not doing so just gives those trying to push them through (and succeeding) more power to do so. Those that draft, support, lobby, and push for these kinds of laws often count on the fact that the public in general is naive and are not paying enough attention to know what is good and what is not good for them, or to even have a clue as to what is going on on Capital Hill (or in Parliament, or wherever). They also rely upon the Fear Factor. The resent Anti Terrorism bills passed here in the U.S. were just waiting for something to allow them to pass easily. Many of the policies in these laws were drafted long before 9/11, and attempts were made to make them law long before 9/11. Those attempts failed because either people were aware of them each for what they were, or the law drafters were not comfortable that they would pass. Along comes 9/11, and suddenly people are more afraid of what would happen to them without a new law (the Fear Factor), than what might happen with a new law. They also did not pay much attention to the actual contents of the law (herein lies the "not understanding, naive, not paying attention" part) and allowed many concessions to to their freedom be made on the premise of the government protecting them against terrorism. There are already plenty of laws that would mandate a terrorist be prosecuted (or a non-terrorist committing many of the crimes that were thrown into the recent anti-terrorism laws), but it seems the powers that be just wanted more control. The bottom line is, to many too often sit and do nothing until they come to realize it's too late to do anything other than the drastic. Is this to be the trend when it comes to Open Source, including Linux? Maybe the SSSCA or other laws will have no effect, but then maybe they will. I for one do not wish to sit on my rear and wait to find out it (or they) have. PGA -- Paul G. Allen Owner, Sr. Engineer, Security Specialist Random Logic/Dream Park www.randomlogic.com - To unsubscribe from this list: send the line "unsubscribe linux-kernel" in the body of a message to majordomo@vger.kernel.org More majordomo info at http://vger.kernel.org/majordomo-info.html Please read the FAQ at http://www.tux.org/lkml/