Re: Is the .to (Tonga) domain completely rogue and should be removed?

[Aaron Goldblatt <aglists () goldblatt net>]

> > You're therefore suggesting that the Internet is better regulated by those
> > who are totally unfamiliar with it.  Or, in other words, you want your
> > heart transplant performed by a 10-year-old.
> Totally unfamiliar with it? You mean, for example, that people in the
> FCC are totally unfamiliar with, say, telephony? Or that they're all
> ten year olds?

Previous attempts by government entities to regulate the Internet have been
characterized by a total unfamiliarity with the medium.  I have no reason
to believe that any future attempt to regulate the Internet will be marked
by any more competence than I've seen thus far.

> Such regulatory agencies always employ people knowledgeable in the
> technical aspects of the subject.

You're not asking for regulation based on technical aspects of the
Internet, though.  You're asking for regulation based on someone offending
your social sensibilities.  That's entirely different.

> That's why, I assume, raising any policy or resource issue is
> generally met with a flood of sarcastic remarks, non-sequitars, and in
> particular a total lack of process by which to address such an
> issue. It's completely missing.

It's completely missing mostly because of the history of the Internet, and
a resisitance on the part of the Powers That Be for creation of any central
authority.  Inasmuch as I'm a vocal member of the Peanut Gallery, I would
participate in that resistance.

> You may believe that the above regulatory bodies are less than
> perfect. But what you can't do is assert that what goes on in their
> stead on the net works any better.

Actually, I would suggest that it does.  The system that we have today is
free from government interference, which encourages effeciency and
creativity.  Encouraging government regulation because you're personally
offended is ... well ... stupid.

ag