[romanpoet]

> I have much respect for Virgil, but I also think Tor is in need of a rebrand at home.

Thanks! I love you too.

> These are things that economic resources that have to answer to Western political authorities will run from, and if the project needs funding, it needs to have a feel-good message that supporters can parrot to politicians and others that actually have power.

This is a totally reasonable response. I would be delighted if Tor Project could make a pronouncement like this.

As a reply, I saw no indication they were having trouble appeasing western authorities---e.g., they had no trouble getting DARPA money for the big MEMEX project. They are voluntarily cutting themselves off from defense because they dislike the politics of the funders. Instead, they are piloting themselves into a position where they are forced to take money from human-rights funders just to stay afloat. And becoming "Human Rights Watch for Nerds", makes Tor work vastly more difficult in the Asia Pacific.

I agree with you that Tor could use a rebrand, but this is a poor choice of one.