Re: [ga-roots] Re: ICANN Policy -- revised version

[Bret Fausett <baf@fausett.com>]

The merits of the relative positions aside, I am concerned about a practice
of drafting papers outside ICANN's rigorous bottom-up, policy development
processes, calling it an attempt to codify existing policy, and then
challenging anyone to go through the rigorous bottom-up, policy development
process to change it.

Again, the merits of the relative positions aside, I'm sure you can
appreciate the *potential* for abuse in that kind of process. At this point,
two and half years into the life of ICANN, if a clear policy has not already
been written somewhere (and I'm referring to more than a few references to
"authoritative roots" in ICANN's foundational documents), I'm not sure it
ought to be created now in the name of "existing policy." Consensus
policy-making is much harder work than that.

I'll have more on the merits of the paper separately, but the process issues
here are of concern.

     -- Bret


On 6/15/01 9:17 AM, "M. Stuart Lynn" <lynn@icann.org> wrote:

> It seems, Milton, that academe has arrived at a new standard since I
> left two years ago. Anyone who agrees with you is "honest" and anyone
> who disagrees is not ;-). Well, well!
> 
> The basis for the statement that ICANN's policy is to support a
> single authoritative root is extensively articulated in my document
> and the references clearly cited. The White Paper, the Memorandum of
> Understanding, and the Articles of Incorporation give clear
> indication of ICANN's Policy. They are ICANN's charter documents. I
> suggest you read them again. They are not very hard to understand and
> their statements with regard to an authoritative single root and to
> competing roots are quite clear. My statement on ICANN Policy is not
> unilateral -- it is well-grounded in the community processes that led
> to the White Paper and to the formation of ICANN.
> 
> You may disagree. That's fine. It would make for a dull ICANN if
> everyone agreed on everything.
> 
> And I would encourage you to follow the appropriate processes if you
> would like to see the current policy changed.

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