[Chapter-delegates] Appointment of former MPAA CTO Paul Brigner as North American Regional Director of Internet Society

[Carlos A. Afonso]

Dear Carlos Martinez, this is a political issue. I did not see anyone 
doing witch-hunting or comdemning Paul himself. I am not worried about 
him, but about ISOC hiring a former director of MPAA as director of ISOC.

Besides, mind you all, SOPA as a bill may be dead (is it really?), but 
the ideas and proposals contained in it are not.

fraternal regards

--c.a.

On 03/21/2012 01:16 PM, Carlos Martinez wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I don't know Paul, but, on a more general stance, I don't think it's wise to condemn people for the past positions they held. IMO, what is important is their current compromise with ISOC's guiding principles, and any evaluation of the past positions they held must consider context.
>
> Perhaps having someone on board who has first-hand knowledge of the inner workings of the MPAA can be an asset for ISOC.
>
> Warm regards
>
> Carlos
> .
> Carlos Martinez
> carlosmarcelomartinez at gmail.com
> http://cagnazzo.name
>
>
>
>
> On Mar 21, 2012, at 1:07 PM, David Vyorst wrote:
>
>> David,
>> Paul has worked with and supported our chapter since I've been involved, and I can assure you that he will be a great regional director. SOPA is dead. Let's call off the witch-hunt. Paul was working hard to bring the motion picture industry around to a realistic viewpoint. Keep in mind that Paul left the MPAA to join ISOC. Before he was at the MPAA, he was our chapter's verizon contact, and as such provided incredible support for our efforts. Even while at the MPAA he spoke on two panels for our chapter. Our chapter has grown by working with the Internet Tech, Policy, and Social Media communities in DC. Paul has a lot to contribute to helping us, and all chapters continue to connect with key communities. I urge you to trust me on this and give Paul a chance.
>>
>> And I look forward to our chapters doing big things together.
>>
>> dv
>>
>> On Wed, Mar 21, 2012 at 10:57 AM, David Solomonoff<president at isoc-ny.org>  wrote:
>> I am profoundly disturbed by the appointment of Paul Brigner as North American Regional Director of the Internet Society.
>>
>> In his previous position as Chief Technology Officer at the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) he worked for the passage of PIPA and SOPA.
>>
>> His blog posts are here: http://blog.mpaa.org/BlogOS/author/Paul-Brigner.aspx
>>
>> These bills allowed for the arbitrary shutdown of allegedly infringing websites without due process and the potential disruption of the open Internet. And the ways in which the MPAA and other industry groups maneuvered behind the scenes to pressure legislators are why many citizens have become embittered and cynical about the political process in this country.
>>
>> The New York Chapter has succeeded by working over a period of many years to build relationships with the Free/Open Source and Free Culture communities, local tech industry associations, the startup community as well as advocates for open government.
>>
>> The effective endorsement of MPAA policy positions by the Internet Society with the appointment of Brigner threatens to poison those relationships and severely damage the good name of the Internet Society.
>>
>> I respectfully request that you reconsider the appointment of Paul Brigner as North American Regional Director of the Internet Society.
>>
>> Sincerely,
>>
>> David
>>
>> --
>> David Solomonoff, President
>> Internet Society of New York
>> president at isoc-ny.org
>> isoc-ny.org
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Chapter-delegates mailing list
>> Chapter-delegates at elists.isoc.org
>> https://elists.isoc.org/mailman/listinfo/chapter-delegates
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> David Vyorst
>> Co-Founder, Relay Station Social Media
>>
>> www.relaystationmedia.com
>> 202.841.2400
>> @DVyo
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Chapter-delegates mailing list
>> Chapter-delegates at elists.isoc.org
>> https://elists.isoc.org/mailman/listinfo/chapter-delegates
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Chapter-delegates mailing list
> Chapter-delegates at elists.isoc.org
> https://elists.isoc.org/mailman/listinfo/chapter-delegates