Posted on 09/14/2016 3:51:39 PM PDT by Arthur Wildfire! March
Grassley Statement at a Judiciary Subcommittee Hearing on Protecting Internet Freedom
Sep 14, 2016
Prepared Statement by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Oversight, Agency Action, Federal Rights and Federal Courts Hearing on Protecting Internet Freedom: Implications of Ending U.S. Oversight of the Internet September 14, 2016
The openness, security and stability of the Internet are of principal importance to all who use the Internet around the world yet its the United States historical stewardship role over key Internet management functions that has helped to ensure this openness, security and stability. Today the Obama Administration intends to end this role not for technical considerations but for political reasons.
In March 2014, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) headed by Assistant Secretary Larry Strickling indicated its intent to transfer key Internet domain name functions, known as the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) functions, to a global multi-stakeholder community. This past August, we received word that the Obama Administration intends to allow the IANA functions contract to expire as of October 1, 2016, allowing this transition to go forward.
This is happening despite the fact that a number of significant questions related to the transition remain unanswered including whether the transition will yield an unconstitutional transfer of United States government property, how the transfer will affect human rights and free speech issues, if U.S.-controlled Top Level Domains such as .gov and .mil could be compromised or if the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) will be subject to increased antitrust scrutiny.
Here at the Committee, weve continued to engage with the administration about this transition and to date the answers weve received have been inadequate. Its clear that the administration hasnt conducted a thorough legal analysis of the many issues outstanding.
The Administration argues that stopping this transition could embolden authoritarian regimes, but these countries already fail to respect freedom of expression and will continue to advocate for government-led management of the Internet no matter what happens. If this Internet giveaway goes forward, theres no reason to believe that authoritarian states would stop trying to exert greater control and we dont know how things with play out long term. Recognizing this harmful impact of potential capture by foreign governments, the Administration has stated its proposal wouldnt replace the status quo with a governmental or inter-governmental model. Nonetheless, under the March 2014 proposal, the power of foreign governments would be significantly increased as the threshold for the ICANN board to reject government advice is made more difficult, with 60% of the board now needed to reject government demands.
In ICANN, we see an organization that was blasted as recently as this past July by an Independent Review Panel for its inability to carry out basic duties of self-governance. The Review Panel found that ICANNs Board Governance Committee has failed several transparency obligations, engaged in the cavalier treatment of constituent requests, and failed to undertake an examination of whether ICANN staff or contractors complied with their obligations under the Articles and Bylaws of incorporation. These failures raise serious concerns about the ability of ICANN to exercise proper corporate oversight and call into question ICANNs organizational maturity. All the more disheartening is the fact that the potential for similar abuse from the board will only increase when the U.S. contract ends. Under the proposed new bylaws, the Board Governance Committee will retain its role and continue to rely on ICANN staff to inform its deliberations and will retain its ultimate authority. These types of governance problems make ICANN susceptible to corruption and abuse.
Over the last two years ICANN has undertaken accountability and corporate governance changes because of United States influence. With additional issues in areas such as human rights, corporate jurisdiction, and intellectual property left unresolved, theres little reason to believe that such reforms will be completed without the continuation of the contract and the United States continued oversight and involvement.
These concerns, especially when it comes to accountability and transparency, are reasons why I have always questioned if the transfer is in the best interest of the American people and global Internet users. Despite the administrations intention to give up the IANA functions contract, these concerns persist, indicating that this course is misguided, and at best, premature. I appreciate Senator Cruz calling this hearing and look forward to the witness testimony.
It would be better just to copy and paste the SS guy in the foreground over and over to form a "wall" between the viewer and Hillary.
Like the Iran missile test pictures.
bfl
We probably can get a DNS list. Wouldn’t it be easy to modify a browser (especially open source) to read my own DNS list.
As things change, that list can be passed around by hand, or over the net if appropriately disguised, I would think.
Really, US oversight of the Internet may be the greatest tool not only to keep Americans free but it also keeps tyranny at bay around the world. The elites are chomping at the bit to be able to control it. I can’t emphasize this enough. Ceding control of the Internet would usher in a political dark age making those who control it the kings and the rest serfs.
Where will you be? I, myself, am looking for an alt-Internet. Let me know if you locate one.
I’m going to be writing a book .. so I won’t be spending much time on the internet anyway .. and my publishers likes to have manuscripts in printed form - not emailed - so I would be printing it out and mailing it to him.
Well .. I expect Trump to change anything Obama tries to do to destroy the internet or America.
>> Can we support what hes doing here, or are we obligated to hate the guy regardless the good he does?
Wasn’t necessary to add the “why not” drama. Everyone recognizes that Cruz is an outstanding Conservative Senator.
You made me reach. Well done and interesting [and I wonder if surfing is easier with IP Addresses than with domain names?]
But as for using IP Addresses as a ‘back door’ to bypass ICANN ...
ASO is a sub-group of ICANN unless I’m reading this wrong.
wikipedia:
The Address Supporting Organization (ASO) deals with policy making on IP addresses.[47]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here is the full structure ...
Structure[edit]
At present ICANN is organized formally as a non-profit corporation “for charitable and public purposes” under the California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation Law. It is managed by a 16-member Board of Directors composed of eight members selected by a nominating committee on which all the constituencies of ICANN are represented; six representatives of its Supporting Organizations, sub-groups that deal with specific sections of the policies under ICANN’s purview; an At-Large seat filled by an At-Large Organization; and the President / CEO, appointed by the Board.[45]
There are currently three Supporting Organizations. The Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO) deals with policy making on generic top-level domains (gTLDs).[46] The Country Code Names Supporting Organization (ccNSO) deals with policy making on country-code top-level domains (ccTLDs). The Address Supporting Organization (ASO) deals with policy making on IP addresses.[47]
But as for using IP Addresses as a back door to bypass ICANN ...
ASO is a sub-group of ICANN unless Im reading this wrong.
wikipedia:
The Address Supporting Organization (ASO) deals with policy making on IP addresses.[47]
[more full explanation above]
‘Well .. I expect Trump to change anything Obama tries to do to destroy the internet or America.’
I hope you’re right and challenged naysayers with a thread ...
Fairyland Fixes for O’s Internet Giveaway
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3466481/posts
Not one practical solution there. The most practical counter is John Thune’s ‘defund transition’ plan. But that only delays the inevitable. It would be best to renew the contract and give Trump time to work this out.
Just found this on Drudge
CRUZ FIGHTS TO KEEP INTERNET IN USA...
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/congress/article101851207.html
[although I only load caches — often six hours or more behind latest]
“Everyone recognizes that Cruz is an outstanding Conservative Senator.”
No around here. Most seem to consider him a RINO.
>> although I only load caches often six hours or more behind latest
I hear ya’. For busy sites, I’m guessing you could shorten the wait period.
His POTUS ambitions got under my skin too, but I still respect his Senatorial efforts.
Well, thanks for keeping this front and center. I sort of half think that the Hellary circus is keeping the alt-right busy for a reason.
ICANN Transition Even Endangers ‘.gov’ and ‘.mil’
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3469586/posts
http://www.judiciary.senate.gov/download/09-14-16-rosenzweig-testimony.
ICANN transition insider Paul Rosenweig warns:
1. Foreign powers will “indisputably have increased influence”.
2. Transition a “leap in the dark”.
3. ICANN planning to move overseas.
4. ‘.gov’ and ‘.mil’ “not assured by any enforeable mechanism”.
So no domain name is safe.
Who is Paul Rosenweig?
He was invited to testify at yesterday’s “internet giveaway” hearing because of his involvement and extensive background:
1. Department of Homeland — deputy assistant secretary for policy.
2. Currently he runs a consulting organization for Homeland.
3. Rosenweig authored and edited numerous books on cyber-security and freedom of speech. [He also produced DVDs on those subjects.]
4. As for his politics, He’s been writing Heritage Foundation columns all the way back to 1977.
It feels like being in the eye of a hurricane — quiet and ominous. Even talk radio treats this outrage as though they fear catching leprosy.
And my internet connection is horrible. Visited a hotspot in town this morning. The contrast in connection speed is stark. I am not the right 'point man' for something this important. Maybe I should stand back so someone else will do a better job.
Sorry to ‘sound’ so maudlin in other post.
Was tempted to ‘step back’ but others can step ahead any time they like.
A soldier doesn’t normally step back just because some other solider might be a better shot unless there’s no room.
Plenty of room.
And as for my laggy connection — a blessing in disguise. Forces me to think with fewer distractions.
God bless you guys and FRegards ....
If Congress Defunds Internet Giveaway, Will it Backfire?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/3469953/posts
Thank you, Mister Robinson, for allowing the Grassley statement to remain in ‘breaking news’ for so long.
Please forgive me if I try to sneak in a few ‘op eds’, etc in the lower sidebars for the next few days.
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