The way US government can crack down Silk Road, Tor and Bitcoin

[Serith]

1. Silk Road sells guns.
2. Guns could be used by terrorists.
3. Use that as an excuse to apply NDAA and detain random Bitcoin and Tor users.
4. Profit!

EDIT: To elaborate second point: a government agency would be only required to present some evidence that a gun sold by Silk Road ended up in hands of a terrorist.

[DeathAndTaxes]

1. Silk Road sells guns.
2. The US has a 30 year war on drugs.
3. Profit (or not).

[kais3r]

sure they can, but they wont be able to track those who use the proper precautions.

[Serith]

1. Silk Road sells guns.
2. The US has a 30 year war on drugs.
3. Profit (or not).

30 years ago NDAA didn't exist

[niko]

1. Silk Road sells guns.
2. Guns could be used by terrorists.
3. Use that as an excuse to apply NDAA and detain random Bitcoin and Tor users.
4. Profit!

1. Walmart sells guns.
2. Guns could be used by terrorists.
3. Terrorists could be used as cashiers at Walmart.
4. Take harmonica lessons.
5. Screw profit.

[Serith]

sure they can, but they wont be able to track those who use the proper precautions.

The goal would not be to track individuals but to destroy Tor, Bitcoin and Silk Road

[Serith]

1. Silk Road sells guns.
2. Guns could be used by terrorists.
3. Use that as an excuse to apply NDAA and detain random Bitcoin and Tor users.
4. Profit!

1. Walmart sells guns.
2. Guns could be used by terrorists.
3. Terrorists could be used as cashiers at Walmart.
4. Take harmonica lessons.
5. Screw profit.

Unlike Silk Road, legal sellers comply with government regulations.

[Serith]

1. Silk Road sells guns.
2. Guns could be used by terrorists.
3. Use that as an excuse to apply NDAA and detain random Bitcoin and Tor users.
4. Profit!

1. Walmart sells guns.
2. Guns could be used by terrorists.
3. Terrorists could be used as cashiers at Walmart.
4. Take harmonica lessons.
5. Screw profit.

Unlike Silk Road, legal sellers comply with government regulations.

Like the 2nd amendment? Fat chance.

It will only require one claim that a gun sold by Silk Road ended up in hands of a terrorist. And by the way, NDAA directly violates 6th amendment, so appeal to constitution worth nothing.

[lettucebee]

Not that it negates anything said here, but I suspect anyone selling guns on silk road is the government itself.  A trap.

[Serith]

Not that it negates anything said here, but I suspect anyone selling guns on silk road is the government itself.  A trap.

Not possible, sellers on Silk Road have ratings much like eBuy, and customers can leave comments about transactions.

[ZodiacDragon84]

Can you leave feedback if you go to jail?

[FreeMoney]

Can you leave feedback if you go to jail?

Not positive feedback...

But seriously the gov can build up a good reputation too. Not that I think they are yet, and even when they do it'll probably be to watch and learn mostly.

Hitting random bitcoin users would be pretty lol. Are they going to admit it's some random bitcoin or TOR user? Hope people figure it out and get scared? Maybe messing with high profile users would matter some, but does that scare people really?

[ZodiacDragon84]

my main concern was that jail doesnt have internet, so no TOR, thus, no silk road, THUS, no feedback that hey, guy x is a FED!!!! lol

[Serith]

Hitting random bitcoin users would be pretty lol. Are they going to admit it's some random bitcoin or TOR user?

It won't be a conspiracy scheme, just bureaucrats who would  honestly try to do their job better.

Hope people figure it out and get scared? Maybe messing with high profile users would matter some, but does that scare people really?

I think that's a valid point. It all depends on how deep US will be. If only one or two people detained at any given moment, then you right, it won't matter much, but US democracy is in downfall and several years from now the scenario could become possible.

[Killdozer]

What guns? Silk Road mainly sells drugs, that is already illegal, and apparently already enough reason to try to shutdown it and bitcoin, according to some polititions. They don't even have to care about guns.

[Koekiemonster]

What guns? Silk Road mainly sells drugs, that is already illegal, and apparently already enough reason to try to shutdown it and bitcoin, according to some polititions. They don't even have to care about guns.

Priorities?? Illegal activities are happening every second. Terrorism is a major priority for the US government, while Silk Road actually solves problems regarding to the drug industry for governments(no violence and higher quality drugs(lower risk to users) due to feedback).

[Killdozer]

Silk Road actually solves problems regarding to the drug industry for governments(no violence and higher quality drugs(lower risk to users) due to feedback).

That's not how they see it.

[Koekiemonster]

Silk Road actually solves problems regarding to the drug industry for governments(no violence and higher quality drugs(lower risk to users) due to feedback).

That's not how they see it.

What makes you think so? I do think governments, especially the US government, are not rational in their decisions, but they aren't completely stupid as well. There is only one senator who caught some attention about this subject, but as far as we can see nothing has changed but SR being more well-known. I do think allowing guns to be sold is a bad way to go for SR, I hope they reconsider changing back to their former policy.

Also, not all US conservatives think the same about drugs, this judge has some great points and they should be heard more often:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6t1EM4Onao

[btc_artist]

Terrorism is a major priority for the US government

I think you hit the nail on the head.

[PunkAs]

I'm not really sure how drugs benefit society, maybe blowing off steam? Not that I have a problem with people who want to take drugs. But to suggest that drugs are cool, but guns are bad is silly. In my opinion.

Without drugs there wouldn't be any society http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoned_ape_theory#.22Stoned_Ape.22_theory_of_human_evolution
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entheogens