Sen. Carper, In response to your recent statement on the re-launch of Silk Road, Id like to thank you for expressing your views. I am impressed by your understanding of the issues at hand, and realize that in comparison to the views of your fellow political leaders, yours may have put you in a somewhat radical position. Rather than repeating the opinions systematically generated by most State authorities, you have spoken openly and sincerely for and on behalf of the people of the United States of America; you belong to a minority of people willing to openly suggest that Silk Roads development is actually a change in the right direction  even if, as it stands right now, my enterprise remains illegal. For this, you should be applauded. I would like to clarify what Silk Road represents. Contrary to popular belief, it does not represent drugs; nor does it represent the trade of illegal goods. Rather, it represents the freedom which people all over the world have begged for, fought for and even died for throughout history. It is these people who have made the ultimate sacrifice in helping us build a free, prospering society; to help us prosper in times of tyranny, oppression, war and danger; to give us the power to act responsibly according to the dictates of our own conscience. And these generations will have my deepest gratitude and respect for as long as I live. I believe that right now, we are living in a society where our enemy is no longer foreign, but domestic. And I feel it is therefore appropriate to highlight the first part of the Oath of Enlistment: "I, _____, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic" With the NSA spying on the entire world, and with hundreds of thousands of prisoners sitting in a jail cell for the possession of a plant mankind has had access to for thousands of years, I believe that our country  which once was held as the pinnacle of the Human Rights movement  is now subtly becoming one of the greatest oppressors this world has ever seen. Therefore, I hereby call on Congress to assess the best interests of the people they claim to represent, and to hold accountable those who are now a domestic threat to the freedoms of these people. I may represent the largest illegal marketplace in the world. I may also be a target of various law enforcement agencies. But nonetheless, I extend an invitation both to you directly, and to anybody else willing to stand up for what is true and right: if you would like to engage with me in objective discussion or debate, I will happily oblige. Furthermore, if the appropriate authorities were able to guarantee me my safety and immunity against prosecution, I would gladly remove my mask and blow open the gates of fair discussion on policy reform. The time where governments can ignore their people is fast drawing to an end, and the authorities who still believe this ignorance can continue unhindered are misguided. I want to make a positive change for the world we all live in. And I know it is possible, if only enough people are willing to step away from bigoted political views, and look at certain policies anew. Already the profits of Silk Road are being diverted to worthwhile charities, good causes, and organizations involved in the development of new, innovative technologies  those opposing such causes and organizations are doing nothing more than opposing freedom and suppressing freedom of speech, and although we both agree that our security is of high priority, what good is security that does not allow us our freedom? A fair balance between both security and freedom can, and must, be found. I would like to complete this letter by articulating my perspective on the trajectory of policy to legalize domestic spying in the name of national security. Such policy is a catastrophic error. When the people know their government is watching, they are scared to voice their opinions openly, and either seek and discover new means of doing so, or lose their identities  and those with lost identities are those who end up as nothing more than empty shells of violence and anger. I do not condone violence, and I do not wish for either violence or anger. Nor do I wish to ever see the day we must march against our government in order to oust them  I, and the community that supports me, would prefer to see peaceful reform based on fair, balanced discussion over any of the less desirable alternatives. But, as the people, we see our liberty as a right, not a privilege, and must do whatever is necessary to maintain this. Yours in liberty, Dread Pirate Roberts