[ncdnhc-discuss] Resolution on ORG Divestiture

[Milton Mueller]

>>> Chris Bailey <chrisbailey at gn.apc.org> 10/16/01 08:17AM >>>
Surely, we are talking potentially about tens of millions of dollars a year 
here? Travel subsidy for non-commercial interests would be just one very 
tiny aspect of what could be done with this kind of money. Certainly, I 
would think Digital Divide issues would be a major item we would want to 
use it for, but not the only one. Why not "to support non-commercial 
Internet interests"?

MM ====> 
Anyone who thinks of ORG as a gigantic pot of money
that can be used to solve the world's problems needs
to think twice.

Here is a simple scenario to think about:

There will be an application period for taking over
ORG.

Applicant A promises to operate ORG 
efficiently, use surpluses to improve service and 
reduce prices.

Applicant B says nothing about
how it is going to run a large-scale, complex 
business but promises to throw millions of
dollars at global programs to end world hunger
and put a computer on every desk top in every
home in the world, even where there are no desks
and no electric power to plug them in to.

Which of these proposals do you think is going
to win the support of the ENTIRE Internet 
community, including current ORG registrants?

As for the registrar issues, again please be aware of
real, serious political constraints. What do you think
current registrars are going to think about efforts
to cut them out of org and establish new, "nonprofit"
registrars that compete with them in a declining market?

I encourage you all to file comments on this issue,
but please put more serious thought into the whole
situation, don't just fantasize about what you would
do with a few million dollars.