Actually, Randall, We Tried That
And the reason it doesn't work is that just because you're allowed to own something doesn't mean you're allowed to export it. The use, ownership, production, etc. of crypto was never restricted, only its export. In an Intenet-enabled world, export control brings lots of hair with it, which is why it was important to fight export restrictions. I could go on, but I've already ruined an otherwise amusing strip.
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Comments
I think you missed his point... (which I don't like this time)
Posted by: Andy | November 14, 2008 1:00 PM
No, I got it. I also didn't like it, but I did smile.
Posted by: Mordaxus | November 14, 2008 1:49 PM
I took it to mean:
ISPs cannot filter encrypted content.
Unless the USG bans crypto.
Which they can't do, since it is a munition, and munitions are protected by the 2nd amendment.
I think that's a cute argument, but it ends there. If they can censor/monitor the internet despite the 1st, 4th, 5th, and 9th amendments, they aren't going to be stopped by the 2nd.
Posted by: Chris | November 14, 2008 2:12 PM
Yeah, and as we go forward, it gets more tortured and wrong. It's like saying that ISP filter violates freedom of expression.
The US never banned crypto. They considered it a munition for the purposes of export. That's arguably less bizarre than the present designation as a dual-use item (along with enriched uranium, GPS units, and video games). Crypto-as-weapon makes so much sense that it's an indelible meme.
But of course, the more one discusses a joke, the less funny it is.
I did smile at it, I really did.
Posted by: Mordaxus | November 14, 2008 3:32 PM