[ga] Joe Sims - Analysis of a Demeaning Attack

["Richard Henderson" <richardhenderson@ntlworld.com>]

Having just read Joe Sims' attack on Michael Froomkin here on the GA list, I
feel prompted to reply about the tone that Mr Sims adopted and the demeaning
nature of his comments.

I am a pretty insignificant family man and local school teacher, and I try
to teach my own children and my pupils to show kindness wherever possible,
to avoid arrogance, and to stand up for what is right.

I will never be as rich or powerful as Mr Sims, but I believe a person
matters because of who they are and the way they treat others, not because
of money, status or career position.

I feel his comments on Michael Froomkin are too personal, demeaning and
unacceptable. An analysis follows:

Joe Sims wrote:
You ... hoping to rescue an otherwise unimpressive career by finding a niche
where you can be perceived
as the expert.

***RH: what an unpleasant remark to make. Is a road-sweeper's career
unimpressive? Is a cleaner's career unimpressive? What makes Mr Froomkin's
career unimpressive? I believe there is dignity in hard work, and making a
living, regardless of how important you are, don't you, Mr Sims? So why the
personal attack on Mr Froomkin's career? I think I come from a different
culture to you - my own cultural bias is against the arrogance of the high
and mighty, and in favour of ordinary people, though in Michael Froomkin's
efforts I think he has done a more than ordinary task. I just think to label
someone's career "unimpressive" is abusive and unnecessary. ***

Joe Sims continues:
It does not appear that your constant criticism has much impact, on
anything.

***RH: ICANNwatch has provided a helpful, independent platform for
discussing the work of ICANN, the DNS and related issues. It has provided a
lot of information over time, and it has fostered dialogue. I think a number
of people regard Michael Froomkin as moderate in his approach, and he
certainly hasn't jumped on every radical bandwagon against ICANN. The fact
that a moderate, providing a public service, comes in for such personal
attack is possibly a fair measure of how embattled the ICANN establishment
has become. I believe Michael Froomkin's website has been a focal point for
considerable public debate and HAS had an impact - if not some of the
outcomes many people would desire. ***


Joe Sims carried on:
...just posting rants on the GA list

***RH: the tone of Michael Froomkin's posts are generally more controlled
and less ranting than this mail of yours, Mr Sims***


And again Joe Sims:
exercising their ego to run a webpage

***People value Mr Froomkin's website, Mr Sims. It's not about ego, it's
about dialogue and debate. Anyway, how very dismissive of you, to suggest he
only does it for some personal ego trip. Please stick to issues rather than
engaging in demeaning personal comments.***


Joe Sims comments:
the real sneers here from serious people are reserved for folks like
you


***RH: do we HAVE to conduct dialogue and debate like this?***

Joe Sims continues his attack:
Junk like the stuff you post is exactly the reason why more people do not
participate in this or other similar forums,
because it is a waste of time.


***RH: "Junk"... that is VERY dismissive. I try to teach my pupils to listen
politely to other people's arguments. Is this really dialogue at all, Mr
Sims? And on the point of "this or other similar forums", let me remind you
that Stuart Lynn scored a serious own goal when he dismissed ICANN's own
public forums as "laughable" when, in fact, the participants in some of
these forums have brought to light important information and furthered
relevant debate. What has been disappointing has been the reluctance of
members of the ICANN Board to engage in proper dialogue and detailed
exchanges when awkward issues have been raised - for example during the
.info fiasco on the NewTLDs forums - and really, as someone speaking up for
ICANN, shouldn't you WELCOME participation instead of castigating it. If you
disagree, then argue reasonably and put your case - don't just make personal
attacks ***


Joe Sims
Jones Day Reavis & Pogue
51 Louisiana Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20001
Direct Phone:  1.202.879.3863
Direct Fax:  1.202.626.1747
Mobile Phone:  1.703.629.3963

Just one parting curiousity, Mr Sims? Ordinary people like myself largely
finance ICANN through the domain name "tax" we have to pay. How is the
recent expenditure on legal actions in the Auerbach case a justified use of
that money? And do you have a license to practise law in California? Of
course, Karl Auerbach has also had to sustain personal criticism for
standing up for rights which the California judiciary upheld. Mr Sims, it's
not good enough in my opinion. Attacks like the one above show a
disappointing lack of self-restraint, and a tendency to substitute
character-assassination for reasoned discussion and open debate of issues.
Long may Michael Froomkin continue to champion freedom of speech and provide
a platform so that people can make up their own minds. To dismiss Mr
Froomkin's efforts as "junk" is perhaps a rather disappointing line of
argument.


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