[AfrICANN-discuss] DCA expresses commitment to work with African ccTLDs

[Nigel Roberts]

>> First, we think the innuendo to “beauty contest” is a very sexist
>> remark which was meant to show disrespect to the person of the
>> spearhead of the Yes2dotAfrica campaign.  It is very disturbing that
>> even the slightest discussion about DCA and DotAfrica can no longer be
>> conducted in a civilized way, without it becoming personal.
>>   Therefore, for this very unnecessary allusion to ‘beauty contest’
>> that was done in bad taste to reflect the gender of the DCA Executive
>> Director, we demand an immediate and unreserved apology, and a
>> retraction of the offensive sexist statement.

The 'beauty contest' metaphor has been entirely self-attached by DCA and 
you cannot now deny this. This is clearly demonstrated by Mr Brown's 
elegant photo that he posted at http://ta.gg/5k8, and as I have 
personally observed both in Singapore and at Dakar.

On a more serious note, the expression 'beauty contest' is often used in 
Britain, and very likely elsewhere in the English speaking world for 
exactly the situation with the bidders for .AFRICA and the AU -- that is 
where a two or more commercial companies demonstrate their abilities and 
resources to a responsible contracting Authority, which then selects the 
one best suited to do the job.

That use of the expression can never be sexist becuase natural persons 
are not involved - the 'beauty contest' is between corporations and 
their suitability for the task.




Nigel Roberts, Manager
TLD Registry Solutions LLC