There has been much discussion about the need to give the DNSO Names
Council some executive powers to deal with "emergency" or "pressing" DNS
issues that may arise from time to time. The thought is, as I understand
it, that the DNSO may be called upon to provide advice and recommendation
to the ICANN Board on an expedited or emergency basis. In such instances,
some believe that the Names Council should have the authority to deviate
from its normal decision-making process to arrive at a quick solution
(and a solution that may not necessarily have input from the broader
community). The fact that "the Paris draft" does not provide such
executive powers to the Names Council has been pointed to, by some, as a
major deficiency.
I'm not opposed to this "emergency power," in theory, but I'm also not
convinced that this is a real problem. To the extent that the DNSO is
supposed to recommend *policy*, it is not obvious to me what an emergency
"policy" looks like and why it would be required.
Can someone help me understand what is contemplated by the
executive/emergency powers of the Names Council. What kind of problems
are expected to arise that will require such action? Has there been a
history of such problems arising?
To the extent that ICANN Board members can provide advice, is this
something that you find valuable in a DNSO? What kind of policy decisions
would you anticipate sending to the DNSO in this manner?
-- Bret
