At 1/12/99, 0448 AM, Jay Fenello wrote > >I believe that history can provide valuable lessons >as we try and understand the very confusing process >that we are currently involved in.  > >In my previous posting, I described some interesting >parallels with the early American Republic.  Here >they are again, this time with their similarities >described . . . > >The White Paper  <==>  Declaration of Independence > >Both of these documents started a process of changing >the existing authority structure to a new one, one that >was less centralized and more open than the one before >it.  They both painted a future vision, a blueprint of >their future world.  > >Notice that more than 11 *years* passed between the >signing of the Declaration of Independence, and the >signing of the U.S. Constitution. > >Supporting Orgs  <==>  State Governments > >Both of these stakeholder groups had to quickly establish >a way to govern their affairs in a hurry.  They had to deal >with questions of control/funding/representation/etc. to >quickly form an appropriate governing body.  They also had >to figure out how to relate to each other, as well as a >potentially superior organization. > >In the early years of the confederacy, the states were in >various states of formation/organization, and there was >much diversity in their respective founding documents. > >Over time, these states refined their structures, often >taking ideas from each other.  Many of these concepts, >including those on representation and citizen rights, were >useful when the U.S. Constitution was drafted in 1787. > >ICANN By-Laws  <==>  Articles of Confederation > >Both of these documents were the first implementation of >the concepts described in their respective guiding documents, >the White Paper and the Declaration of Independence. > >While the states were busy getting their act together, it >soon became apparent that the Articles of Confederation >had some serious problems.  This combination of events >ultimately lead to the creation of the U.S. Constitution. > >Mike Roberts  <==>  John Hanson > >Both were the first leaders of the first attempt >to implement the vision outlined in their respective >guiding documents.  For perspective, there were six >leaders between John Hanson and George Washington. > >This reflection on history has given me some >valuable insights into our current situation. > >First, this is going to take a long time.  It took our >founding fathers over 11 years -- and at the rate we are >going, it will likely take us the same (especially if we >continue to use the same face-to-face meeting process >that *they* used in the 1770's) > >Second, this is an iterative process.  We are going to >make mistakes, many at first.  Welcome diversity, and >learn from it.  > >Third, realize that there are going to be power plays, >legal challenges, governmental intervention, and all >manner of other machinations.  Expect it, and call >them as you see them. > >Finally, be happy.  These are exciting times, no >matter how painful they seems right now! > >Respectfully, > >Jay Fenello >President, Iperdome, Inc.  >404-943-0524  http//www.iperdome.com