NEGATIVE - DISADVANTAGE — PRIVACY HURTS SECURITY — TERRORISM 195

WE MUST PROTECT AGAINST TERRORIST ATTACK

GREATEST THREAT TO CIVIL LIBERTIES IS FROM TERRORISTS, NOT LAW ENFORCEMENT

William S. Cohen, secretary of defense, The Washington Post, July 26, 1999, SECTION: OP-ED; Pg. A19 TITLE: Preparing for a Grave New World // acs-EE2001

There need be no fear or foreboding by the American people of the preparations of their government. On the contrary, the greater threat to our civil liberties stems from the chaos and carnage that might result from an attack for which we had failed to prepare and the demands for action that would follow.

INTERNET SURVEILLANCE IS KEY TO AVERTING CRIME AND TERRORISM

Marc S. Friedman, President-elect of the Computer Law Association, 1999 / 2000; Journal of Legislation and Public Policy, " SOME OBSERVATIONS ON ENCRYPTION - PLAIN, SIMPLE, AND UNENCRYPTED," EE2001-hxm lxnx

My duty as the first speaker is not just to express a point of view, but also to help frame the issue. As you can see, there are certain legitimate government concerns regarding the use of encryption. We know that there is an increasing use of computer communications by  [*7]  organized crime, by isolated and disorganized groups of criminals, by terrorists, and by those engaged in espionage. My colleagues here could probably speak for days about these subjects. We all know that computer communication may be the principal way in which conspiracies are facilitated. So, what we have is a situation where there is a real need to intercept these computer communications made in the furtherance of crime, terrorism, and espionage. I do not think there is anyone in the room who could take the position that even those kinds of communications should be protected from surveillance.

WE MUST BE PREPARED TO STOP AN ATACK BEFORE IT HAPPENS

William S. Cohen, secretary of defense, The Washington Post, July 26, 1999, SECTION: OP-ED; Pg. A19 TITLE: Preparing for a Grave New World // acs-EE2001

Mere months before the attack on Pearl Harbor shocked America out of its slumber, Walter Lippmann wrote, "Millions will listen to, and prefer to believe, those who tell them that they need not rouse themselves, and that all will be well if only they continue to do all the pleasant and profitable and comfortable things they would like to do best."

The race is on between our preparations and those of our adversaries. We are preparing for the possibility of a chemical or biological attack on American soil because we must. There is not a moment to lose.