I look at hacking as your 2nd ammendment right to bear arms in the digital world. I think true hackers, and when I say true I mean grey and white hats, should take a more active role in society in helping to protect citizens and consumers. It seems more and more the general public cannot and willnot take the time to be educated as to the computer world. Just look at all the problems network admins deal with to see how little people understand("It says, I love you, how can it possibly be bad" )

Anyway, talking to people, the majority don't even realize the danger that they are in. For example almost knowone I know is aware of the fact that the federal government is requiring cell phone makers to be putting in a gps unit, that will track them as long as the phone is on. Also, the reality is that crackers, kiddies, and black hats are not going to go away, and as such we need to encourage hackers to find the weaknesses first so that none of our critial systems are compromised.

Also, with just looking for example, just think what if a hacker had found documents that could have prevented the Enron ordeal, terrorist attacks or anything of that nature.

Further, with the increased Homeland Security, someone has to keep the government honest, otherwise that system could quickly turn into a KGB type system where people disappear in the middle of the night.