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