Re: [ga] Another lawsuit against ICANN, to stop WLS

[Sotiris Sotiropoulos <sotiris@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Michael D. Palage wrote:

> Sortis:
>
> Although we didn't get a chance to meet in Montreal, I believe that your
> contributions in providing people not able to attend in person a "voice" at
> the microphone was very constructive. I guess that is why I am a little
> confused at your comments toward Mary. Although you may have only meant it
> as a joke, I would hope you would use better discretion in the future.

In truth, I was joking.. hence the ;-) (wink).  Though she is a 
looker... :-)

> You are correct that under the current WLS implementation plan there is no
> refund for an unsuccessful Back-Order, however, under the current
> implementation there is the ability to switch an unsuccessful Back-Order
> request to another domain at no cost (I believe up to five times).

But, sooner or later, there is a cost as there is no refund at any point 
if one does not get the desired domain name.  Perhaps the more 
appropriate response on Mary's behalf would have been "I am not familiar 
with the details of the implementation of the WLS".  But hindsight is 
20/20...

> Although
> it is possible that Mary did not fully understand these nuisances, it is
> equally probably that the reporter misquoted her. As someone that has been
> misquoted by the press on more than one occasion this is a possibility. I am
> sure ICANN staff will follow-up to address any potential misconceptions.
>
> I also found it interesting to note that the reporter talked about "an
> agreement with ICANN, [by which] VeriSign keeps track of the registered
> owners of domain names that end in .com, .net, .tv and .cc." The only
> contractual relationships that ICANN has with VeriSign is in connection with
> the .com and .net TLDs.
>
> Although I have had minimum opportunity to interact with Mary during my
> previous involvement with ICANN over the years, I have found her to be a
> valuable resource in keeping Directors abreast of global coverage in
> connection with matters involving ICANN. So although I agree Mary was
> probably not hired for her technical savvy to run a root server, she has
> used her intellect to undertake a job some people would say is impossible.

Ha!  That's a good point.

> I do not consider myself to be a politically correct person, but somehow it
> just did not seem right for ICANN staff that are only trying to do their job
> to be on the receiving end of your comment. I also believe that the comment
> was demeaning toward the other ICANN female staff which I hold in high
> regard.

I did not intend to insult ICANN female staff.  I thought the comment 
was rather 'thick' and expressed a half-joke in response, which in 
retrospect would have been more appropriate offlist.

> ICANN Directors on the other hand are fair game - flame away :-)

Let me apologize for the comment and put an end to this matter right here. 

Sorry to have ruffled any feathers.

Be Well,

Sotiris Sotiropoulos

*************
Excellence is an art won by training and habituation. We do not act rightly because we have virtue or excellence, but we rather have those because we have acted rightly. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.
    --Aristotle (384 BC - 322 BC)