Hi Ed, It's my pleasure. Indeed, calling can be a bit tricky. I already recieved a confirmation receipt of my email, and I too am curious to see his stance (assuming he has one). I also tweeted his press secretary asking if he has a stance. So, of course, I will share. Again, thanks for putting this together. And actually, I apologize for forgetting to include a request for him to oppose S3034. Best, -Michael On Fri, Sep 9, 2016 at 10:06 AM, Edward Morris <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > Michael, > > Thank you so much for this and for your excellent prototype e-mail. > Although my experience suggests that calls do generate a bit greater > impact, in situations like yours where you are so far away from home an > e-mail like yours is a great idea. Thank you so much for doing this! > > If you get a response, Michael, please be so kind as to share with us. I'm > personally unaware of any position Senator Paul has taken on the issue - > let's hope your message can help make it a positive one! > > Thanks again for your great work, > > Ed > > > > Sent from my iPhone > > On 9 Sep 2016, at 06:58, Michael Oghia <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > > Hi all, > > An update: I just sent to Rand Paul, a Republican senator from Kentucky > (the state where I am registered to vote). I have more faith that he and > his team will respond than Mitch McConnell, a senior Republican senator > from Kentucky who is the Senate majority leader. I never bother messaging > McConnell about anything that is remotely partisan because it is, frankly, > futile. > > Here is my letter in case someone wants to use it as a template and > add/modify it: > > Dear Dr. Paul, > > Hello, my name is Michael Oghia. I am a U.S. citizen currently residing in > Belgrade, Serbia, and I work as an independent consultant within the > Internet governance community. I am a member of multiple constituencies of > the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), including > the Non-Commercial Stakeholders Group (NCSG). As you know, the transition > of the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) to the global > multi-stakeholder community is supposed to occur on 30 September but is > facing major opposition, often which is fueled by fear, misinformation, > partisan politics, and a lack of understanding. > > As a Kentucky citizen and member of the Internet governance community, I > adamantly urge you to support the transition. As National > Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) chief Larry > Stickler told Politico (based on previous testimony to Congress): "It's > important for the future of the Internet that the transition not be blocked > on Sept. 30 ... the delay would be 'giving a gift to Russia and China.' ... > government had spent 'two years developing a plan,' and abandoning it would > 'hurt the credibility of America in the eyes of the rest of the world.'" > > Dr. Paul, please -- do not fall into the trap of useless, partisan > politics on this issue. The IANA transition will increase the > accountability of ICANN, better safeguard the domain name system (DNS) and > wider Internet as a global resource, and enhance trust in U.S. leadership. > > I was initially hesitant to send this email but then I considered how you > have often defended Internet rights, and hope that my plea speaks to your > integrity. If anything, I ask your team to contact me at any time if you > would like to know more about the transition from a non-partisan, > non-political perspective, and to research information about the transition > from a variety of sources. Unlike some of the misinformation spreading > across certain political channels, I can vouch for this plan. As someone > working in the field, I work with and personally know many of the people > who wrote the text of the transition. I absolutely guarantee that the > transition is better for U.S. interests than not doing so. > > Thank you for your service to the people of Kentucky. > > Sincerely, > > Michael J. Oghia > Jackson, Breathitt County, Kentucky > > iGmena communications manager > 2016 ISOC IGF returning ambassador > Independent #netgov consultant & editor > > Email: [log in to unmask] > Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mikeoghia > LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeoghia > > > > On Fri, Sep 9, 2016 at 7:34 AM, Sonigitu Ekpe <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > >> Good opinion. >> >> How many shall be willing to do what you are suggesting, when it shall >> favour many Americans. >> >> How do you shot yourself? >> >> On 9 Sep 2016 6:24 a.m., "Michael Oghia" <[log in to unmask]> wrote: >> >> Thank you for putting this information together and for this important >> call. >> >> Best, >> -Michael >> __________________ >> >> Michael J. Oghia >> iGmena <http://igmena.org/> communications manager >> 2016 ISOC IGF returning ambassador >> Independent #netgov consultant & editor >> >> Belgrade, Serbia >> Skype: mikeoghia >> Twitter <https://www.twitter.com/MikeOghia> *|* LinkedIn >> <https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeoghia> >> >> On Fri, Sep 9, 2016 at 3:19 AM, Edward Morris <[log in to unmask]> >> wrote: >> >>> >>> Hello everybody, My apology for my multiple efforts to get this to you. >>> My spell check and font selector seem to have a mind of their own this >>> morning. My sincere apologies. The message, however, remains the same >>> and is important. Next week is a crucial time in the life of the >>> transition. The administration needs to notify Congress by September 15th >>> of it's intention to proceed. Although a high priority issue for a few >>> Congressmen in the so called House Freedom Caucus, the transition >>> is something that has really flown under the radar for most Senators and >>> Representatives. >>> >>> I'd like to tell everyone in the NCSG that the United States Congress >>> cares about what you think. It does not. Individual Congresspersons, >>> though, do care what their constituents think - that's where we need your >>> help. American members of the NCSG, both institutions and >>> individuals, it's time to let your elected representatives know what you >>> think of the transition. The best way to do this is to call Washington and >>> tell your Senator, Representative or their staff person what you want them >>> to do regarding the elimination of US government stewardship of the >>> internet through the IANA contract. >>> >>> Please today please call your Senator or Representative, or preferably >>> both, today and tell them that: >>> >>> >>> 1. You, or your organisation, are active members of the ICANN community >>> representing noncommercial users, >>> >>> 2. You support the transition of the internet from the US government to >>> the multi-stakeholder community (if you do), >>> >>> 3. (For Senators) You oppose S3034, the mis-named Protecting Internet >>> Freedom Act, or >>> >>> 4. (For Representatives) You oppose HR 5329, the Securing America's >>> Internet Domains Act of 2016, >>> >>> >>> You can reach your Senator or Representative through the Capitol >>> switchboard at 202-224-3121. >>> >>> >>> If you do not know your representative you can obtain his or her >>> identity here: >>> http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/ >>> Expat Americans should contact the Senator and Representative of the >>> district where you currently cast your remote ballot in elections (or >>> where you last resided, if you do not currently vote in the United States). >>> >>> In addition, please call the Secretary of the Department of Commerce >>> Penny Pritzker at 202-482-2112 and: 1. Identify yourself, your >>> affiliation and that you are an active member of the ICANN community >>> representing noncommercial users and that 2. you support the transition >>> (if you do) and expect the Department of Commerce to proceed as scheduled >>> at the end of this month and not extend the current IANA contract or >>> propose a new one. >>> >>> The time to talk is over: Americans. If you want he transition to occur >>> the time to act is today. Not Monday, today. The way to act is by calling, >>> not writing. The impact is much greater. >>> >>> Thank yu for your consideration. >>> >>> Best, >>> >>> Ed Morris >>> >>> >>> >> >> >> >