I don't wish to worry you.....

[ozzy72]

But the UN are proposing that they run the internet as they feel Icann isn't doing things right (true a lot of Europeans feel the same way as we seem to have more troubles than everyone else...).
I think if this happens I'll just unplug the PC! I mean the UN? When have they ever managed to get anything right? The idea of putting the internet in the hands of bureaucracies who decide not to do anything useful by committee.......
Then the question of how do we maintain security? How do we stop spam from spreading? How do we close the door to cyber criminals? What about freedom of speech?
Scary huh?

[ATI_7500]

"Freedom of Speech" on the internet? Nice joke...

[Achilles]

The UN is the biggest joke on the planet and is a classic example of a military term- "A cluster f**k". Frankly, they cause more problems then they try to fix and I can't think of once that they ever got anything right.

[ATI_7500]

Then go and make it better.  ::)

[ozzy72]

The question is how Bj

[Saitek]

The UN are better than the League of Nations anyway!

I guess that can be said in its favour. Despite all it problems and trials I think it is good and should be kept.

Back to topic. Hmmmm - Comes as a surprise. I am not sure what I think. Hopefully I'll make up my mind by others replies.

[Felix/FFDS]

Despite my misgivings and approach to the UN as seeing itself as a "world government", I do see certain value to the organization's ideals, and actions.

As a "clearing house" - even with its glaring failures - the UN does present a vehicle for coordinating worldwide health and humanitarian aid.

Where I have a problem with the UN's efforts is their wanting to control "worldwide" issues, as an example, the Internet, which comes across as another way of imposing global censorship.

As a whole, the UN has laudable goals.  Unfortunately, the UN cannot escape the fact that it, like any large organization, ultimately depends on people, people that are not always motivated by the ideals.

[TacitBlue]

The UN are better than the League of Nations anyway!

But not better than the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.

Back on topic: Isn't this just a little political

[flyboy 28]

What is Icann?

[Saitek]

Back on topic: Isn't this just a little political

Well there is a weird exception to the politics rule, but it makes sense.

History political (old history ) is allowed. The History forum is absolutely full of politics!
This is because it is old history and people are unlikely to get upset or offended. Thus history on the 7/7 in London is too close to be counted!

[Felix/FFDS]

ANy topic on the UN is certainly easy to get political.  If one focuses on the ideals of the UN, vs its actual performance, then politics of the day/moment play a big part.

As to the League of Nations, it was, to a certain extent, doomed to failure, as it appears to me that each of the powers of the time sought to have the League sanction their own "version" of events.  I have no doubt that the prevailing discriminations of the time of the Western Powers had a lot to do - "we just fought a war so we're the ones that can tell the world what to do" - had a lot to do with the ineffectiveness (as well as the idea that "we just went through a hell of a war, so let's avoid it at all costs")

[Hagar]

I don't see how anyone can regulate the Internet. This is what upsets the bureaucrats so much. They don't like the fact they have no control over it.

Isn't this just a little political

Everyone has different ideas on what is political. How can we discuss the Internet or anything else when someone cries foul when we make a valid point? This is a good example of the danger of censorship & what happens when people set themselves up to regulate what others can & cannot say. Just who are these people arrogant enough to tell me, a responsible adult, what I can watch, listen to or talk about? It ends up with everyone scared to say anything at all except for mindless smalltalk. Slightly different here as this is a private forum & the webmaster (Pete) makes the rules - which is his right.

[ozzy72]

I would say this is NOT a political issue. No elections, no campaigning, nowt. The UN is an organisation that by and large does try to make things better for people. Alas as Felix has said it is run by humans, some of lower moral standards than others...
Imagine if the UN did have control in the same way that M$ has helped the Chinese government control what is said on the internet there, we would be unable to talk freely about an issue such as this and as members of the global internet community isn't that a terrible thought?
Imagine if we had to be 100% politically correct. The first thing to go would be any type of CFS, afterall we're not allowed to kill each other I love CFS1,2 and 3, I also have Janes WWII Fighters, Il-2, Forgotten Battles etc. All of these could be viewed as not PC and be banned from discussion. In fact just about all military strategy games would disappear! Talking about them could see you cut off from the internet
So discussing this in an adult fashion about the action rather than the personalities is indeed apolitical.
Personally I hope they get on with doing something more useful like food aid to the third world, or helping orphans or something. It is abhorent to me that someone can read everything I write and censor my thoughts...

[Saitek]

If ever you want a brilliant read and a one which will really broaden your understanding of todays society get hold of Peter Hitchins book The Abolition of Liberty. It is a book very much credited by loads of papers and is very riveting and enlightening. He appears a little extreme in some areas, but he knows exactly where things are going. He's jounalist who is quite traditional, but is a very clever man with wide experiences across the globe.

[Hagar]

I'd just like to point out that I'm not getting at TacitBlue. His question was perfectly valid & I was simply using it as an example.

Thousands of people have died fighting for the freedom we cherish as a right. Allowing censorship in any form (except voluntary) makes their sacrifice pointless. Yes, some people will abuse that right & always will. I might passionately disagree with what they have to say but I will defend their right to say it. I much prefer what we have now to the alternative. This is one of the problems with a free society as people who wish to destroy it use our freedom against us.

PS. If the mods think this in in any way political please delete it.