[ga] Emergency resolution on .xxx recall -- and the destruction of ICANN's integrity

[Danny Younger <dannyyounger@xxxxxxxxx>]

 From the Non-Commercial Discussion list:
Date:         Tue, 16 Aug 2005 10:32:19 -0400Reply-To:     Milton Mueller <[log in to unmask]>Sender:       Non-Commercial User Constituency <[log in to unmask]>From:         Milton Mueller <[log in to unmask]>Subject:      Emergency resolution on .xxx recall - and the destruction of              ICANN's integrityContent-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCIIContent-Disposition: inline
Many of us have warned for years that the US's unilateral politicalpower over ICANN was a problem. Too many people didn't listen. Now thatpower is being displayed and used in a way that even the most abjectapologists for the system cannot deny. Over the weekend ICANN's Governmental Advisory Committee transmitted aletter asking ICANN to reverse its decision to approve the .xxx TLD. Aletter from the US Commerce Dept supporting that request has also beenfiled. http://www.icann.org/correspondence/gallagher-to-cerf-15aug05.pdfI believe it is essential that NCUC, ALAC and WSIS civil society jointogether in a resolution or letter to ICANN, its GAC and the US Commercedepartment expressing concern over and opposition to the GAC's attemptto reverse the .xxx delegation. What is at stake here is the very model of the Internet as a privatesector and civil society-driven institution, and as an INTERNATIONALinstitution. This is not about .xxx per se. (although it should be notedthat all .x!
 xx
 proposes to do is openly and accurately identify porn onthe Internet, which is in every legitimate user's interest.  Thecreation of a .xxx TLD does not CREATE pornography, which we all know isalready out there.)The decision by the US to exercise in an unambiguous way its unilateralpower over ICANN has been made in a surprising context. But I havechecked the facts and there is no doubt about it. The US CommerceDepartment's Deputy Secretary David A. Sampson, confirmed by the SenateJuly 22, is responsible for the sudden decision of the US to support theGAC's attack on ICANN's delegation process. Sampson was influenced bythe Family Research Council, a culturally conservative religious groupin the US, which made it an issue. Sampson is a graduate of DavidLipscomb University , the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary andearned his doctorate at Abilene Christian University.http://www.commerce.gov/bios/sampson_bio.htm ICANN participants must stand up for the integrity of the
 institutionas a global, legitimate policy making system. One government cannot begiven an arbitrary and unlimited power to reverse the result of adecision making process that has gone on for five years and consumedmillions of dollars in resources, just because a domestic politicalconstituency doesn't like the result. If this recall is allowed to go forward unchallenged, governments willhave asserted and gained a form of arbitrary power over the Internet atits very core. ICANN's often flawed attempt to be a bottom-uporganization will be completely defeated, forever. This is a veryimportant issue. It is essential for ALAC, NCUC and other civil societyactors to unite on this. I will be drafting a proposed short resolution. I hope to transmit itto these lists soon.Dr. Milton MuellerSyracuse University School of Information Studieshttp://www.digital-convergence.orghttp://www.internetgovernance.org



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