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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-fareast-language:EN-US">Hi Paulos,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-fareast-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-fareast-language:EN-US">Just for clarification purposes. Before sending the email to the community, there was also request for direct engagement sort with
several individuals.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-fareast-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-fareast-language:EN-US">I will continue to seek direct engagement where possible, however, the offer to engage is still there for the whole community, and
I am hoping that beyond just the engagement I am inviting, that others will also read the contents of the email, and choose to have their own one on one engagements between themselves and others they have conflict with. Let us not make this about specific
people, this is about how the community as a whole engages with each other, both one on one, and in groups and based on all the divisions I referred to in my mail. Fixing the position I see us in now, will never be solved by one individual, it will take a
collective effort between numerous parties.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-fareast-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-fareast-language:EN-US">Andrew<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-fareast-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-fareast-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">From:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> Dr Paulos B Nyirenda [mailto:paulos@sdnp.org.mw]
<br>
<b>Sent:</b> 18 July 2016 15:29<br>
<b>To:</b> rpd List <rpd@afrinic.net>; members-discuss@afrinic.net; community-discuss@afrinic.net<br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [rpd] [members-discuss] Thoughts and introspection<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">For me the long e-mail from Andrew helped but raised more questions on what it was all about.</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Honestly, it looks to me like and reads like a "Bernie Sanders speech presented in the presence of Hilarly Clinton without mentioning Hilarly" in these weeks that we
are in now :-)</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">I would have liked to see a more specific submission with events and people or groups which have generated this introspection.</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">I do not believe that there will be any healing without specifics. It is good that Badru has stepped forward and I hope the results of that will come out in the open.
However, I find it difficult to believe that an open invitation for others to get in touch with Andrew will yield the expected community healing that is being talked about in the e-mail.</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Hence, it is my hope that Andrew will reach out to specific individuals and/or groups that he has in mind on this e-mailed introspection and process ... whatever ...
instead of him just sitting back and waiting for or expecting peopleo groups to reach out to him. He has made a good start but needs to go the extra mile.</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Regards,</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Paulos</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">======================</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Dr Paulos B Nyirenda</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">NIC.MW & .mw ccTLD</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><a href="http://www.registrar.mw">http://www.registrar.mw</a></span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">On 16 Jul 2016 at 8:23, Andrew Alston wrote:</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> Thank you Hytham for your response,</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">>
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> I look forward to further engagement with you as always. </span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">>
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> Andrew</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">>
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> Get Outlook for iOS</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">>
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> _____________________________</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> From: Haitham Nakhal <<a href="mailto:haitham.nakhal@gmail.com">haitham.nakhal@gmail.com</a>></span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> Sent: Saturday, July 16, 2016 10:16</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> Subject: Re: FW: Thoughts and introspection</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> To: Andrew Alston <<a href="mailto:andrew.alston@liquidtelecom.com">andrew.alston@liquidtelecom.com</a>>, <<a href="mailto:members-discuss@afrinic.net">members-discuss@afrinic.net</a>></span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">>
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">>
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> Dear Andrew,
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">>
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> "I'm writing here as an Afrinic member"</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">>
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> Thank you for your positive email and thanks for your moral courage to confess that you
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> were guilty in sometimes and took the initiative to clear the air and moving forward and
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> positively for the sake of Afrinic organization and members.</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">>
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> Best Regrads,</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> Haitham El Nakhal </span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> ________________________________</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> From: Andrew Alston</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> Sent: Saturday, July 16, 2016 12:49:32 AM (UTC+02:00) Cairo</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> To: rpd List;
<a href="mailto:members-discuss@afrinic.net">members-discuss@afrinic.net</a>; General Discussions of AFRINIC</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> Subject: [SUSPECT][members-discuss] Thoughts and introspection</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">>
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> Hi All,</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">>
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> Let me start by saying, I send what follows wearing no hats, other than to say, I have
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> thought long and hard about what follows, and I send it as myself, and with only my own
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> reflections guiding what I write below.</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">>
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> Over the last few days and months, I have thought deeply about what we have seen within
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> AfriNIC over the last few years, and I have some observations I would like to share.</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">>
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> Firstly, we may not all like each other, we may never see eye to eye as a community, as
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> members, or anything else. But in the end, our like, or dislike of each other, is immaterial, as
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> is even our respect for each other. What we do have to respect , and attempt to strive for, is
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> the best interests of AfriNIC as an organisation, as a community, and as a critical part of the
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> Internet on both the African continent and within the global context. We have to strive to
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> apply our own individual minds to the problems faced, and the solutions required. Then, as
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> part of this community, we have to attempt to voice our thoughts and our opinions, and in
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> some cases those thoughts and opinions will be accepted, in others they will be rejected. I
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> don’t believe any of us have a perfect track record of perfect proposals, because we are all
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> human, and humans are prone to error. The ideas and thoughts and views that are proposed
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> then need to be weighed by the community, not based on position, not based on the age of
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> the speaker, not based on the linguistic background of the speaker, not based on the
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> geographic location of the speaker, but entirely based on the merits of the arguments put
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> forward. Sadly, this is not what I am seeing in the last few years, and let me state clearly, that
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> I am as guilty of the issue I describe here as anyone else. What I am seeing is a community
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> that is no longer attacking the issues, but attacking either the person, or a subset of the
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> community. I see us divided along so many different lines, and sadly, those divides are not
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> leading to the spirited debate that will end in solutions, instead they are slowly tearing us
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> apart. As I said, I am not placing blame on any person or collective here, I believe this is a far
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> wider problem than that, and I also state again, I am as guilty as any other here.</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">>
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> We use procedures to divert from argument, we fight from a point of view of “I’m right, and
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> you’re wrong, so everything else you say must automatically be wrong.” We have gotten to
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> the point where so often at meetings and on these lists, instead of listening to one another
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> based on the merits of the ideas, views and suggestions put forward, we divert from the
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> content of the proposals and ideas and views, and instead attack, for the sake of attacking a
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> person, or a collective. This makes no sense, it is deeply harmful to growth on the continent,
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> and it is dangerous, because it creates a snowball effect that amplifiers and propagates.</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">>
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> Having worked in academic environments, one of the things that is valued in academia and
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> in research, is open mindedness. Academia welcomes debate, and it is through debate that
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> we grow, mature and learn. It is through spirited, and sometimes even heated exchanges,
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> that our ideas grow and blossom. That being said, there are many forms of debate. If I
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> examine the work by Don Lindsay, I can see many forms of debate that he describes as
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> fallacious arguments creeping into the community exchanges across these lists. If you read
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">>
<a href="http://www.don-lindsay-archive.org/skeptic/arguments.html">http://www.don-lindsay-archive.org/skeptic/arguments.html</a> I am sure you will see some of
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> the forms of argument listed there as echoes of what we have seen of late.</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">>
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> As I say, use of these forms is not unique to any person, and I to fall back to many of these
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> types of arguments, but it is something we need to work repairing. We need to work towards
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> a point where our arguments, our thoughts, our ideas, our views are spoken to build rather
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> than destroy. Every time we resort to the behaviours described above, it simply amplifiers,
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> propagates and spreads, and the damage it causes may one day reach a point where it
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> creates terminal injury.</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">>
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> What I would like to ask of everyone one of us, is that we, myself included, started to look at
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> each other’s thoughts and ideas based entirely on the merits of the arguments. Let us follow
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> academic principles and research the positions we are taking, carefully, holistically,
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> understanding all the facts surrounding our positions. Then let us debate these views from a
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> point of view of knowledge, and from a point of view that we are debating in order to find the
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> best possible path for AfriNIC as a community and as an organisation. I strongly believe that
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> if we, and again, I include myself, can approach things in this manner, we can all have our
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> perspectives changed, and all ideas can contribute to a better future for this community.
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> Please do not misunderstand my position here, I am not suggesting for one second that we
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> cease debate, I am simply suggesting that all of us attempt to focus more on the issues at
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> hand, rather than attacking the proposer, the collective, or anyone else.</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">>
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> I truly believe that the members of this community all want what is best for AfriNIC, I just am
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> of the opinion that we have very different ways of approaching it. Ways that are born based
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> on the experiences we have all had as we have moved through life. This is not to say that
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> any one way is better than another, it is just to say they are different, and sometimes entirely
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> unique in nature. However, when you combine this diversity and this uniqueness you end up
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> with a stronger whole. Let us respect each other, and as Africans, as members of this
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> community, as interested parties, attempt to move past our prejudices, whatever they are,
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> and work together for what is in the best interests of the organisation and community. Let us
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> leave the personal behind, and focus on the issues and what builds, rather than what tears
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> down.</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">>
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> With all of this now said and done, I personally would like to extend a hand to anyone who is
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> willing. I am prepared to sit and engage one on one with anyone who wishes to do so, to
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> explore their point of view, and for them to see my point of view. In the spirit of seeking
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> common ground, so that where people feel that my actions are the cause of any discord, let
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> us attempt to mend the issues, and go back to academic principles where we are debating
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> the issues in an attempt to build a better, brighter future for us all. I am available on Skype,
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> via email, or face to face if anyone wishes to engage in that manner and finds themselves in
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> close geographic proximity to me. I believe that healing has to start somewhere, and I believe
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> in life, that if you desire change for a better tomorrow, that change has to start somewhere.
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> So, if it must, let that change start with me, and my actions, and my words.</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">>
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> I look forward to engaging with all of you, and I hope that together, as a community we can
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> move beyond the divides and come to a point where we are mutually seeking the best for
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> AfriNIC, with respect for each other, and each other’s views.</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">>
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> I am sending this to all three lists, RPD, Members, and the Community, because I believe
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> that the same issues that plague our debates in one forum, spread across all three, from the
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> policy side, through the member base, and into the wider community. I personally would
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> welcome engagement from any member of any of those lists.</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">>
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> Yours Sincerely</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">>
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> Andrew Alston</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">> AfriNIC community member</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">>
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">>
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7F0000">>
</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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