Cypherpunks as lobbying/propagandizing group

From: "Jim Sewell" <jims@central.keywest.mpgn.com>

>  I agree with Julie that we need some P.R. for this.  I also think we
>  should do it by writing and getting the word out.  
> 
>  However, I think we should form a small informal group of people seriously
>  interested in putting together a well thought out document that is factual
>  and without emotional flair that a member of the press would respect, could
>  understand, and might pass on to the public.
> 
>  I want to propose that this small group develop a document to the best of
>  their abilities, refine it, and when they think it is ready post it to the
>  list for a "final lookover".

[etc., etc.]

>  Let me know what you think,

I think this is a very bad idea and not the purpose of the cypherpunks list.

   --Dave.

Dave Mandl <dmandl@panix.com> writes -

> 
> I think this is a very bad idea and not the purpose of the cypherpunks list.
>

Ditto. Leave the political battles to those with more (desired)
visibilty (ie, EFF, CPSR, SEA).

_______________________________________________________________________________
Paul Ferguson                         
US Sprint 
Enterprise Internet Engineering                    tel: 703.904.2437 
Herndon, Virginia  USA                        internet: paul@hawk.sprintmrn.com

<In mail Paul Ferguson said:>
> Dave Mandl <dmandl@panix.com> writes -
> 
> > 
> > I think this is a very bad idea and not the purpose of the cypherpunks list.
> >
> 
> Ditto. Leave the political battles to those with more (desired)
> visibilty (ie, EFF, CPSR, SEA).

  I replied to Dave via mail but it may warrant a public clarification.

  My intent is not to form a group to go lobby congress or anything of
  that nature.  My idea was to create a list of "credentials" for the
  group as a whole so that when active folks do go to the press or to
  meetings between CPSR & the NSA then they can have in their hands a
  bit of "proof" that we aren't the computer-student-woodstock-wannabes
  the NSA et al. say we are.

  Remember the E.F. Hutton commercials where a guy is asked for investment
  advice and he says "My broker is EF Hutton and EF Hutton says..." and
  everyone in the room gets quiet and leans over to hear the advice?  That
  is what the Cypherpunks name doesn't have... respect.

  Your comments, either for or against, are appreciated and counted.  They
  will be used to help me see if there is sufficient interest in my opinion
  to warrant trying to organize such a thing.  Right now it's slightly in
  favor but there are too few replies to be fair either way.

  Jim
-- 
 Tantalus Inc.          Jim Sewell      Amateur Radio: KD4CKQ
 P.O. Box 2310          Programmer           Internet: jims@mpgn.com
 Key West, FL 33045     C-Unix-PC          Compu$erve: 71061,1027
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>>  However, I think we should form a small informal group of people seriously
>>  interested in putting together a well thought out document that is factual
[etc]

>I think this is a very bad idea and not the purpose of the cypherpunks list.

It's a fine idea, except there's no way such a group can claim to
represent cypherpunks at large.

Or, Hey! get you own name.

Eric