[governance] Reinstate the Vote

[Kieren McCarthy]

>> Yeah, the issue here is how public input is structured to *formally*
>> affect the policy-making processes within ICANN, once collected at 
>> the front door.

>> If there is no formal/structural "inner connection" that the public 
>> can rely upon, then no matter what Kieren does it is all for surface
>> show, and in effect it becomes no more than a distraction of effort 
>> and resources...


Utter gibberish and a perfect example of what I was talking about.


I wrote:

> The amount of time spent decrying every aspect of ICANN's work would 
> be more understandable if people actually asked questions rather than
> threw around accusations based on hearsay and a few snippets of
> information inaccurately extrapolated. Why don't you just ask?


I can supply you with a link to a pdf file that explains precisely what
ICANN is doing with respect to providing and dealing with information.

It's not the first time I have supplied this link to this mailing list. It
is not the first time I have mentioned this process, or encouraged people to
take part, or directed people to the discussions or summary of discussions
of this issue. 

It is not the first time I have flagged up a meeting on this topic, or the
first time I have sat watching an online chatroom during that meeting. It is
not the first time I have explained to people exactly what the process is,
or the first time I have promoted changes and proposed changes both on the
ICANN site, ICANN blog, this mailing list and other mailing lists.

But it seems that the supply of information - accurate, helpful information
- is seen as less valuable to some than the opportunity to go off half-cock
and produce paragraphs of conspiratorial codswallop.


I also wrote:

> I think it's time I spent more time getting more people to participate
> within the ICANN processes, and less time answering the queries of 
> those determined to find fault with the organisation.


I think this only helps show that my conclusion is right.

If you ever do fancy contributing rather than sniping, if you would like
people to value your opinion as one formed from understanding and
reflection, a good place to start would be the link I referred to above. It
is this:


http://www.icann.org/transparency/acct-trans-frameworks-principles-17oct07.p
df





Kieren






-----Original Message-----
From: Dan Krimm [mailto:dan at musicunbound.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, November 20, 2007 12:50 PM
To: governance at lists.cpsr.org
Subject: Re: RE: [governance] Reinstate the Vote

Yeah, the issue here is how public input is structured to *formally* affect
the policy-making processes within ICANN, once collected at the front door.

If there is no formal/structural "inner connection" that the public can
rely upon, then no matter what Kieren does it is all for surface show, and
in effect it becomes no more than a distraction of effort and resources.
It's like an engine running in neutral without the gears engaged.  In the
end just a waste of fuel and a way to wear down the engine parts.

When ICANN's bylaws contain an *explicit and detailed* description of how
public input is to be used *formally* to influence policy-making at ICANN,
then we can *begin* to talk about public voice at ICANN in the context of
political governance.

At this point in time, I don't believe that ICANN's processes for public
input would satisfy the relevant requirements of the Administrative
Procedures Act that applies to US federal agencies.  That would seem to be
a minimum standard as an informal benchmark, if not a formal legal
requirement at the moment since ICANN is not a federal agency per se.

So, I agree:  Re-establishing public voting for policy-makers at ICANN
would be one way to engage some gears.  APA-like requirements to
formally/explicitly incorporate public input into the bowels of
policy-making processes would be another.  The more the merrier.

Dan

PS -- Then, apply transparency-in-money tools along the lines of
maplight.org to shine the sunlight on the political influences of those
involved.  Let's use this Internet for the disinfecting properties it
ultimately can have.



At 7:48 AM -0800 11/20/07, yehudakatz at mailinator.com wrote:
>Thank you Milton,
>
>I'll take it under advisement.
>I'm wanting the Icann's "General Manager of Public Participation" to walk
me
>through the process of instiuting a program with Icann.
>
>Consensus taking is a fundamental property of 'botttom-up' participation.
>Voting is the very essence of "Public Participation". It's a requirement of
>democratic civil culture.
>
>If Icann is committed to, as the Chairman of the Board Mr. Peter Dengate
>Thrush
>stated in Rio:
>
>..." We're looking at an industry-led, self-regulated,
>bottom-up, transparent process for the coordination of the Internet
>resources."
>...
>
>Then a 'binding' Public Participation Voting mechanism is absolutely
curcial.
>
>--
>
>> * Make comments in the US Government's February proceeding
>I just pick up a phone and call a Congressman on the DoC.
>
>-
>
>Kieren (GM), If you would please...
>just walk us through it as an exercise.
>Its important for people to hear,
>How it is done? (via Icann)
>
>---
>End
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