Re: The NSA-Crypto AG Sting

From: Mark Black <7..._at_io.com>
Date: Mon, 31 Dec 2007 13:00:02 -0600 (CST)

"Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary
Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."

"Sell not virtue to purchase wealth, nor Liberty to purchase power."

In the end, what can really be done with that power? If you act preemptively
then you take a huge risk of exposing your tap. If you have the foreknowledge
but do nothing to prevent the oncoming strike then you have to answer for the
sacrifice. No win.

In the Bakhtiar case Sarhadi went free. They sold out justice to protect their
secret. Where's the good in that? And what about those who died over
Lockerbie? Their true killers are still free just so the NSA could protect
their secret. Who are the real monsters here: zealots who blow up innocents or
the power brokers whose only concern is to cover their asses? They're no
difference in my eyes.

My dad gave me a copy of 'The Puzzle Palace' when I was 14. It made me
distrustful of my government. A distrust that time and again has been verified
and renewed as I walked the halls of the various three letter agencies
throughout my career. That's not how it should be. People should not fear or
distrust their government. Rather, a government should be ever mindful that
the people it represents far out numbers those within its ranks. My government
should fear me and protect itself from my wrath by doing good and leading by
example. There is a time and place for dirty tricks. But I fail to find the
value in this one. How has it protected us?

It didn't stop the bombing of the Marine barracks in Beirut. It didn't prevent
9/11. It didn't help our failed cruise missile attack on Bin Laden's compound
in 1998. The list goes on. I can't help but think that all of our failed
actions in the past 40 years are due to the fact that our government's hands
have been getting dirtier and dirtier. You can't clean a floor with a dirty
mop. All it did was to rile up those who we used it against. And it wasn't
even used wisely.

And just so no one misunderstands MY take on it... I would still take up arms
and stand next to you to defend what we have left of our liberty. No matter
who the aggressor is - tyrant or terrorist. But I only see the actions of the
NSA and it's cabal of other intel groups and supporting players in this crypto
hack as pure greed. How do they sleep at night?

It is because of these things there will always be a need for those of us in
the security professions. On one side of the game or the other.


Mk.

PS: I just saw James' latest post with the quote from Eleanor Roosevelt. That
wisdom plays well in relation to this topic.
Received on Sat Mar 02 2024 - 00:57:16 CST