From time to time we consider the ramifications of hacking prowess being used for evil purposes. Knowledge is a powerful thing, but alone it is not a dangerous thing. Malicious intent is what takes a clever project and turns it to a tragic end. Conscientious hackers realize this, and [George Hadley] is one of them. While working on a new project he wondered if there were guidelines as to what knowledge should and should not be shared. It turns out that the United States has a set of International Traffic in Arms Regulations that mention concepts we’ve seen in many projects. He wrote up an article which covers the major points of the ITAR.
The gist of it is that sharing certain knowledge, by posting it on the Internet or otherwise, can be considered arms trafficking. It’ll get you a not-so-friendly visit from government officials and quite possibly a sponsored stay in a secure facility. Information about DIY radar, communications jamming, spying devices, UAVs, and a few other concepts are prohibited from being shared. The one qualifying part of that restriction is that it only applies if the information is not publicly known.
sad thing is, the north korean nukes were based on designs given to the chinese by the clinton administration for illegal campaign contributions.
so, like the Gunwalker Scandal (go look it up) the government is creating a problem, and then blaming YOU for it, and then asking for more money and power to solve the problem.
for those not familiar with the gunwalker scandal..
AFT informants would buy guns illegally. from gun stores that were ALSO ATF informants who were told to only report the sales to the ATF.
said guns were then “walked” across the border with assistance of the ATF.
the stated reason for this? if more guns found in crimes in mexico were traced to the US, the ATF would get funding to solve the problem. that they created.
that’s government logic for ya.
@alien – I have no idea where to start here, but here-goes – The ATF doesn’t give a flying fuck what happens over the border. They have no jurusdiction, rights, or privelege in regards to anything that makes it over the border into a foreign country…
…That said, perhaps one should look further inot what exactly is being ferried into Mexico – The issue here is not Class-III weapons, but rather “assault rifles” and “handguns” – Two terms which bring the bile from the pit of my soul to the base of my throat – Two terms which ANY man of ANY sort of intelligence would never have allowed to be so broadly defined…
…The Mexican gun problem can be summed up quite simply – In Mexico, it’s a near-impossible, pain-in-the ass venture to legally own a firearm (Much as it is in many parts of the US, and the rest of the world). If you want a gun, you have two options – Sign your life away and hope you’re approved, or go to Paco’s caddy and get a gat for #100 – Hmm… Let’s say you were a “criminal” of any sort to begin with, what option would you choose?
…The Mexican border is much like the Canadian border – Odds are, if you play it cool, you’ll get IN wihtout issue – Getting back is another issue… However, if you drop your contraband and are “clean” on the way back, one could play a mighty game…
…THIS is the problem with borders in the US in regards to moving anything. ANY mexican, provided he had cash and a car, could hit up a gunshop in texas and bring the goods back – Is he bringing anything back to the US? Probably not – International cartels and the quality of american-grown pot have killed the mexican brickweed trade….
…Drunken rambling, but I feel some things need to be set straight – Namely, THE US GORVERMNENT DOESN’T GIVE A FLYING FUCK WHAT LEAVES IT’S BORDERS – physically, that is – just TRY to get something back over, and the roach you forgot about will land you in a cell in lieu of bail…
@lurker
http://sipseystreetirregulars.blogspot.com/
The Gunwalker Scandal Made Simple
There are five key accusations against ATF and DOJ made by ATF whistleblowers and other sources within FedGov:
1. That they instructed U.S. gun dealers to proceed with questionable and illegal sales of firearms to suspected gunrunners.
2. That they allowed or even assisted in those guns crossing the U.S. border into Mexico to “boost the numbers” of American civilian market firearms seized in Mexico and thereby provide the justification for more firearm restrictions on American citizens and more power and money for ATF.
3. That they intentionally kept Mexican authorities in the dark about the operation, even over objections of their own agents.
4. That weapons that the ATF let “walk” to Mexico were involved in the deaths of Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry and ICE agent Jaime Zapata, as well as at least hundreds of Mexican citizens.
5. That at least since the death of Brian Terry on 14 December, the Obama administration is engaged in a full-press cover-up of the facts behind what has come to be known as the “Gunwalker Scandal.”
ITAR – An excellent example of how laws can fly in the face of all reason, logic, or common sense.