Policy Statement on Address Space Allocations

>I cannot accept that we have to >beg< RIPE like a good little provider
>for address space that should be allocated to us from the USA anyway.
>I will be interested to see how the RIPE actually works (and not just
>listening to Daniel dictate policy by e-mail) when I go to my first RIPE
>meeting next week. So far it seems like a bureaucracy that is entirely
>self perpetuating and self interested without consider what the people
>who pay for its very existance want. sigh. Just like an unelected
>government in fact.

As you imply, Peter, you haven't been to a RIPE meeting yet.
At RIPE 23 next week, you'll get to meet the "bureaucracy" - they're
not of the 'faceless' variety ;-) - and lots of the members of
RIPE.  You'll also see how RIPE and its groups work, always by
consensus within the membership, with expert guidance from
all over Europe and the wider Internet, and with concern for the
maintenance and growth of IP networking everywhere.

Despite the weather forecast, I'm sure you'll warm to RIPE, its
members and even its "bureaucracy", and perhaps revise your 
opinion in the light of an enjoyable experience.

Looking forward to meeting you in Amsterdam.

Mike Norris