RE: [soac-mapo] Ideology vs. practicality in MAPO/MOPO

[Milton L Mueller <mueller@xxxxxxx>]

Richard and Antony

You're saying there are no international laws/ treaties on this topic (I think 
that's a a statement of fact)  and that even when we talk about 'international 
norms' we're on shaky ground as such norms are not well defined or broadly 
accepted.

This is true.

Given the above  - you're suggesting this issue is best handled by a broad 
based panel who would effectively vote on objectionable strings.

Regardless of the procedural merits of Antony's proposal, I don't see how 
Antony moves from a recognition that there are no international standards to a 
conclusion that an international panel should invent them. If there are no 
globally applicable norms, much less legal standards, putting together a 
broad-based panel to vote on these things is empowering them to _make_ 
international law.

Illegitimate, unacceptable, and in some countries, unconstitutional.