Buh Bye .XXX - hello focus on using technology to protect children

["Brandon Shalton" <brandon@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

With the 9 to 5 vote against .XXX, we can now focus on solutions that will 
truly protect children from harmful material.

.XXX's claims that it will protect children is completely laughable since it 
is not the magic shield.

As a vocal oppontent to .XXX, i share many of the same sentiments as the 
pro-.XXX supporters in wanting to have something to keep kids away from 
adult content.

.XXX is not the answer.

.KIDS is a much better answer, but i understand that the reality of such an 
idea may never come about, since .KIDS is another content-based TLD idea 
like .XXX

Most TLD applications are over a trade group or some clearly defined group, 
like with .TRAVEL.

There are technologists and innovators like myself that feel some duty to 
discuss and create solutions, rather than just knocking down bad ones.

There are some solutions being worked on.  While the adult online industry 
objected to .XXX, they don't object to the idea of protecting kids, but it 
has to be a way that actually works and one that still allows adult who want 
to find the material, the ability to do so, not some means to essentially 
try to strangle the content.

You may not realize it but the adult online industry funds ASACP.org, a 
non-profit organization that assist law enforcement and private sector 
companies in identifying child pornography websites.  ASACP.org is 
celebrating its 10th year and has made a positive impact upon assisting to 
remove child porn from the internet.

As a soon-to-be-father, my goals are to make the internet a place where when 
my child (and others) are  ready to click their  first mouse click,that they 
can do so in an environment that allows them to explore the wonders of the 
internet, without being exposed to the harmful elements.  I've been on the 
internet since 1989, and i saw firsthand as the web blossomed.  There is 
certainly many negative things that are on the internet, but there are many 
great things as well that allow us to travel the world from our computers, 
in learning about different people, places, and things.

-brandon