I'm Canadian, and I support our government's decision here. They've done some boneheaded things with respect to Internet policy over the last few years, but this isn't one.
I don't like the idea that the US governs major parts of the Internet's infrastructure. In principle, I would like to see its governance transferred to some sort of an international body. I just don't trust the ITU to play that role impartially. Until we find such a steward, I think we should follow the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" maxim.
Look at these countries here. Who are they? US' biggest allies perhaps? Yes, they are. And that's why they did it. Don't think they did this to protect the people's interests or whatever. Harper would install backdoors in everyone's computers tomorrow if he could.
> Harper would install backdoors in everyone's computers tomorrow if he could.
{{citation needed}}
I certainly, certainly, understand that politicians often act against the interests of those they are meant to serve. However, I don't know why this level of discourse which includes unfounded, outrageous claims with regards to Politicians and Governments is so prevalent.
As a citizen, you also need to accept that Politicians typically act and make decisions on more data points than you or I have access to. The President of the United Staes represents the interest of 312 million people and those interests often conflict quite violently. He has to make life and death decisions which affect the lives of millions of people in America and around the world, and he does so on a daily basis using incomplete and conflicting information. That shit ain't easy.
To be opposed to a Politician or Government is completely fine and the right of any citizen in a democracy. Governments are imperfect organizations made up of imperfect political parties composed of humans who are imperfect. However, statements like, "Harper would install backdoors in everyone's computers tomorrow if he could.", without citation does nothing to improve the situation. The governing of our society is too important of a topic for such unproductive and toxic level of discourse which is all too common.
I don't care about intentions of government. I care the results.
You can have a government that starves millions of people to death for a good ideal, and I would not think that government any better than Nazi government that sent millions of Jews to gas chamber.
The same way, if some dictatorial monarch yielded results than modern democratic government, I would not skip a beat and choose a dictatorial monarch over modern democratic government.
I don't like the idea that the US governs major parts of the Internet's infrastructure. In principle, I would like to see its governance transferred to some sort of an international body. I just don't trust the ITU to play that role impartially. Until we find such a steward, I think we should follow the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" maxim.