[antiRepublicrat]

If the need were really so pressing, then private enterprise is more than capable of creating a highly secure operating system to be marketed to the NSA.

SE Linux was about research. You have a problem with our security agency doing research into computer security? Or do you have a problem that the research resulted in something coming directly back to the people rather than into the pockets of a corporation?

it should focus on producing code which EVERYONE can use -- public domain code (such as LINPACK, LAPACK, EISPACK,...), rather than GPL code (such as SE-Linux).

Whatever license or conditions they want to use, as long as the public reaps the benefits free of end costs.

[TheEngineer]

SE Linux was about research. You have a problem with our security agency doing research into computer security? Or do you have a problem that the research resulted in something coming directly back to the people rather than into the pockets of a corporation?

So GPL companies are "people", and closed-source companies are "corporations"? OK, I think I've got the jist of your new vocabulary.

The problem with your theory is that only companies/individuals with a GPL software license can incorporate the NSA code into their code. Therefore, it amounts to nothing more than "welfare" for open source companies.

Unfortunately, though, you're not alone in your opinion. I've seen plenty of conservatives drop their limited-govt principles at the thought of some pork heading in their favorite direction.