On Thu, 4 Feb 1999, Dave Crocker wrote:
> >> >2 and that the proceedings of the ICANN board are private, which
> >> > is wholly inappropriate for a group holding a great public trust,
> >> > but appointed by a secret process and accountable to no one
> >>
> >> The claim of non-accountability is false in several regards.
> >
> >Well, perhaps you have a personal private definition of the term you
> >might want to share with us.
>
> No doubt I do, but public definitions will suffice:
These are in fact more appropriately described as personal, private
definitions.
> 1. Accountability to the U.S. government during the development phase
The ICANN board is not accountable to the US government in any normal
sense of the term.
> 2. Accountability to the Internet community on an ongoing basis. One
This reduces the term to meaninglessness.
As I said in the section that you ignored, the Internet bodies in the
UK are accountable in a normal meaning of the term. It's simple:
members can override the decisions of directors and they can replace
the directors. ICANN is not accountable to anyone at all in this normal
sense of the term.
> >> As to secret selection processes, you might want to note that IETF and IAB
> >> appointments are through a group that deliberates in private and the the
> >> IETF and IAB have closed decision-making meetings.
> >
> >Be serious. We don't even know for sure how the ICANN board was
> >selected. Recall that Joe Simms testified to Congress that he didn't know.
>
> Be respectful and try not to be frivolous. Your above 3 sentences fail
> both requirements.
Who is it that I am supposed to be so respectful to, Dave?
You? Why?
The ICANN board? Why? Because they were imposed upon us by a secret
process? Because somewhere up there there is a Daddy who knows best?
Joe Sims? Why? Because he so casually told Congress one thing and
us in Boston something quite different, without even apologising for
the glaring discrepencies between the two stories?
Questions as to the origin of the ICANN board and Joe Sims's role in
its selection are not frivolous. They are fundamental.
Respect and trust are intertwined. I have no trust in this board.
They were selected by unknown parties in a secret process. They insist
upon conducting their affairs in secret. They have not displayed the
competence that their positions require.
Neither do I have any more respect for them than they have for the rest
of us.
--
Jim Dixon Managing Director
VBCnet GB Ltd http://www.vbc.net tel +44 117 929 1316
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Member of Council Telecommunications Director
Internet Services Providers Association EuroISPA EEIG
http://www.ispa.org.uk http://www.euroispa.org
tel +44 171 976 0679 tel +32 2 503 22 65
