Internet Government is *not* IANA

[Bob Allisat <bob@wtv.net>]

Jon wrote:
> An update from the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA).
>
> IANA is continuing to provide the neutral, central coordinating
> functions for the global Internet.
>
> As we await the United States government's final statement on the
> "Improvement of Technical Management of Internet Names and Addresses"
> (also known as the "Green Paper"), we are in the process of
> reorganizing and restructuring the IANA organization.  This process
> will create an independent, not-for-profit corporation.  The new IANA
> will establish separate offices from the University of Southern
> California and its Information Sciences Institute, where IANA is now
> located.

 Jon Postel seems to be promulgating the idea
 that IANA is in some way transforming itself
 to become a de facto Internet Government. In
 fact IANA is simply one element of a complex
 number of potential *instruments* of Internet
 government. Postel appears to be setting himself
 and his organization above any general public
 body that may be necessary, proceding post haste
 in his virtual coup d'etat without consideration
 of wider issues or the elusive general good.

 In addressing this unsettling development we
 average citizens must react with equal swiftness
 lest our ideas for responsible, democratic,
 representative and elected self governance be
 delivered an immediate and drastic set-back. We
 will not allow a Mr. Postel (or a Mr. Fleming
 for that matter) to dominate a universal resource.
 It is ours to determine the greater course of
 events not these benevolent omnipresences. It
 is ours to establish Internet Government and to
 instill in the various, competing technocracies
 the concepts of accountability, control and
 limitations.

 I call all persons of like mind and good intent
 to rally round and engage as one an irrepressible
 movement towards the immediate creation of a true
 Internet Government. This forum can serve as our
 initial meeting place with another soon to follow.
 If we delay or prevaracate it will be to our own
 detriment. If we appease the Postels and Flemings
 of this world by inaction or apathy we will only
 increase the burden on the future, making the
 struggle to governance even more difficult. In
 the spirit of the times let us turn this debate
 to greater prospects.

 Bob Allisat
 Director, World TeleVirtual Network
 bob@wtv.net - (416) 534-1999 - http://www.wtv.net
 Free Community Network - .FCN free TLD Registry - http://fcn.net