[NA-Discuss] [At-Large] ALAC Draft Accountability Framework andConflicts of Interest Policy

[Evan Leibovitch]

Danny Younger wrote:
> We are in the middle of the ALAC Review process.  The
> very first determination that the evaluator will need
> to make is whether the ALAC has a continuing purpose. 
> I am using this list to put forward the argument that
> the ALAC no longer has a continuing purpose.
>
> You may not like this perspective, but I have a right
> to express this viewpoint.
>   
I am not for a moment denying your right to express your opinion, and
regardless of my views on your conclusions I can appreciate how you got
there. You may be surprised at the extent to which I (and I suspect
others) may agree with you.

Just the same, you've missed my point completely. I'm not challenging
your right to speak but I absolutely question the judgment and tact (or
lack thereof) used in choosing this forum.

By definition, those on the ALAC list (and its RALO subsidiaries such as
this) are generally involved because we _do_ feel that we're making a
difference. Repeatedly telling _this_ audience that At-Large is useless
and should be eliminated is both insulting and pointless.

Certainly within ICANN there are places to express  and debate your
views in such a way they may have influence, most notably -- as you well
know -- the ALAC review. I'll be more than happy to challenge or support
those views in the appropriate venues, but doing it _here_ is simply
destructive and distracting. It's simply disingenuous of you to complain
of our lack of effectiveness, while deliberately getting in our way and
attempting to distract and demoralize as we try to be effective. Indeed,
doing so will prove to be quite counter-productive _especially_  in
other regions that are less tolerant of verbal aggression.

Until Plan B materializes, the status quo is what we have to work with.
Within this group, I am asking you to help us make the most of what we
do have (while working in other channels to improve the situation).
Otherwise, get out of the way and at least don't impede our efforts to
do what we can -- as I'm sure you're aware, ALAC is already far too
easily distracted. I'm really hoping you choose the former.

And I'll be happy to help find a more appropriate place for a public
"the future of ICANN public participation" debate. Just not here, please.

- Evan