In reference to Eric's reference to espiocrat, I agree that we were right to stop our dialogue and even more shocked when I heard that the Air Force murders had really taken place. I think that we should displace the term introduced from any credibility however. Whatever information is sent from governments is sent willingly and in total knowledge of whom is being addressed. Often, you are on a consulting list where no money is involved and the government only wants to test out some opinions and strategies. I think the term, espiocrat, probably fuels paranoia. There is no such thing merely fear mongering. The world doesn't work like Superman Comic Books. So, there is no sense in leading the internet to believe that this is the case. I sent this message because I was apprehensive that someone might have taken the concept seriously and set off a bout of paranoia that would have virtually shut down the internet. I hope this dispels any sense of peculiarity in the internet: I suspect that it is merely becoming fragile because of the 4.5 million messages which are being exchanged daily. -- Paul. -- Dr. Paul S. di Virgilio, University of Toronto [log in to unmask]