Final Word from Friday, May 26, 2006
Remember what libertarians said after 9/11, when human freedoms were curtailed to fight the abstract enemy called "terror"? They said if the restrictions went too far, it would be a victory for the terrorists. Based on what the spies at NSA, BND, FSB and other agencies are doing, the terrorists seem to be winning. And so it is too with the cyber-terrorists who bombard our IN boxes with spam. We've beefed up security so much that we're cutting out desirable email. How many meetings are missed or feelings hurt because the email never arrives? And it's often insensitive ITers in Brno or Bangalore who set the impenetrable filter parameters. Talking with them is like confronting an airport security guard as he takes your nail clippers. In today's world, if the message truly must be delivered, the best way to avoid the filter monsters and all the prying eyes and ears is to meet for a beer in a loud pub. [Czech Republic terrorism information technology India September 11 Sept. National Security Agency]