I was referring to public networks as well. I should be able to do HTTP GET to my server if I choose to do so. In the same way as I can open a socket to my server and write plain text to it.
I think you should be able, in the sense that it should not be legally or technologically prohibited nor prohibitive. I do think there is a line, beyond which a service should be obligated to encrypt everything, and that line is somewhere around carrying others' messages, certainly around getting common carrier status for the same.
Edit: I must stress, social not legal consequences should apply. I'm in no hurry to invite government scrutiny of this line.
