To: Jackie_Cooney@gregg.senate.gov
From: wolfstone (Dennis Griesser)
subject: re: your question about bomb plans on the net
date:  8/5/96

Word is rippling across the pyrotechnics community concerning your
question about terrorists gaining bomb information from the 'net.

> While I know that pyrotechnics orginizations are not affiliated with 
> acts of terrorism in any way, I feel that you might be able to help me
> in an inquery that could help prevent future bombings.  Specifically, I 
> would like to know if you are aware of any case where a terrorist has 
> used the internet to obtain instructions on how to make a bomb, and then 
> used these instructions to build a bomb and execute his crime.  I would 
> appreciate any help that you might be able to provide.
>
> Jackie_Cooney@gregg.senate.gov

Clearly you believe that certain types of information are dangerous in the
wrong hands.

I believe that we share some common ground and concerns.  I despise
the terrorists who seek to push their agenda by maiming and
killing innocent people who just happened to be in the wrong place
at the wrong time.

Where you and I disagree is in what we each think can be done to improve
the situation.  You propose to strangle knowledge.  Such a proposal is
inherently evil.  Knowledge is not a bad thing.  In fact, it is neither
good nor evil.  Knowledge is a raw elemental force that can be _used_
for good or evil.

There are also people who strive to deprive the terrorists of tools and
materials necessary to build weapons.  This attempt, too, is doomed to
failure.  A determined terrorist can make a bomb out of almost anything,
including urine, willow bark, or bird droppings.

I firmly believe that the key to reducing the mindless violence in our
modern society is not one of technology.  It is one of sociology.

I wish you much success in attacking this problem ... some other way.