Path: utzoo!utgpu!watmath!clyde!att!cbnews!lvc
From: lvc@cbnews.ATT.COM (Lawrence V. Cipriani)
Newsgroups: comp.misc
Subject: Re: I'm pro Russian
Summary: Soviets are Soviets are Soviets
Keywords: Soviet, UUCP network
Message-ID: <2338@cbnews.ATT.COM>
Date: 27 Nov 88 17:25:05 GMT
References: <192@s1.sys.uea.ac.uk> <2326@cbnews.ATT.COM> <7961@dasys1.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Columbus
Lines: 67

Before I give anyone else the impression that I'm a knee jerk Anti-Soviet
I'm not.  I can see the value in corrupting the Soviet system with a USENET
feed, and yes it would be interesting to have the technical exchange with
our counterparts in the Soviet Union.  However, I remain unconviced that
help to someone I don't know in the Soviet Union is in my long term self
interest or national interest.

I really do like helping people with technical problems.  But how can
I be certain that the help I give will not be used against me someday?
In general one can't, and when it involves a nation that has missiles
pointed at me I'll not get involved thank you.  I'd like to make friends
of people in the Soviet Union, but how do I know who I can trust?  The
university student I help just may end up in the GRU or KGB someday.  No
thanks.

I once heard that the best Iron Curtain hackers were dissidents.  Now I
really would like to help them out!  This may be enough of a reason for
me to get involved in an exchange.

In article <7961@dasys1.UUCP>, tneff@dasys1.UUCP (Tom Neff) writes:
> Who do you think reads USENET in the US - Dennis Banks of AIM and the
> political prisoners of the Lexington Women's Unit?
Of course not silly; being a bit rude aren't you?

> No, it's computing community types by and large.  Sorry, that's just the
> nature of the net.
I know, and don't lecture someone that's been reading USENET since its
beginning how its used.

I wrote:
>>Why make it easier for Soviets to have access to technical information
>>or assistance?  
> 
> The answer lies in which Soviets we're talking about...
I'm unconviced that I can make a distinction about who to help and who
not to help.

And me again:
>>               How will a USENET connection enhance freedom in the SU?
>>I'm not being facecious, these questions deserve some attention.

> That it enhance freedom per se in the USSR ought not to be a
> requirement for the bridge to be established; there are benefits to
> both sides even if freedom is left at present levels as a result.

The benefits to both sides in such relations with the Soviet Union are
usually that they benefit more than we do.  A USENET feed doesn't seem
to be any different.

> Nevertheless, if one particularly wishes to enhance Soviet freedom, I
> believe this will contribute in a small way.  Information itself is
> freedom, and empowerment.

I agree, however, how much that increase in freedom will be offset by
a more efficient coercive Soviet system is unknown.  I tend to believe
it will be more than offset by it, a lot of people tend to believe the
opposite, or don't have an opinion.  You just can't be certain.

> We need only establish that access is indeed being extended to that tech
> school senior in my example above, and the boost to Soviet freedom will
> be assured.

Maybe so, but I need more evidence before I change my mind.

-- 
Larry Cipriani, AT&T Network Systems, Columbus OH,
Path: att!cbnews!lvc    Domain: lvc@cbnews.ATT.COM