ICANN Reform And Pissing Off Senator Coleman

This is an issue that only a blowhard and geeks can really get into... Well, maybe more than that, seeing as how I'll be paying attention as well.

Since its inception and creation in the United States, the U.S. has assumed the historic role of overseeing the Internet'’s growth and has overseen its development. The U.N. taskforce report suggests that in addition to terminating the U.S.'’s leadership role, the authority and functions of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), a non-profit organization overseen by the U.S. Department of Commerce, should be transferred as well.

From what I can tell, the good Senator is upset with this particular paragraph in the Working Group on Internet Governance's proposal:

52. This model envisages a Global Internet Council (GIC), consisting of members from Governments with appropriate representation from each region and with involvement of other stakeholders. This council would take over the functions relating to international Internet governance currently performed by the Department of Commerce of the United States Government. It would also replace the ICANN Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC).

...

55. The GIC should be anchored in the United Nations.

Seriously, what's wrong with that? This happens to be an international issue, running completely outside the borders of the United States. So why should we be the ones calling the shots for the entire planet's Internet usage? Sure, we've accommodated the rest of the world, allowing for the .co.??? domains to be created (and they have been used with great gusto), but this could easily be done on the UN's dime rather than solely on ours.

Maybe we should take up an old song's advice and make letmyicanngo.co.uk? (Apologies to Louis Armstrong.)