GOVERNMENT WITHOUT REPRESENTATION EDITOR'S NOTE: It seems that we never learn from history. If you recall, the Boston Tea Party took place in essance because of taxation without representation. The Federal Gov't is mandated by law to protect us from OUTSIDE elements by protecting our borders. No one ever planned for our very own Gov't to actually become toxic and hostile to its very employers--YOU and I. But, this is exactly what is happening, as the attitude in D.C. seems to be one of THEM Vs. US, rather than THEM WITH US. The following letter addresses privacy on the Internet. There are good reasons to protect privacy on the Internet, especially if you have a web site where you say things about certain people or organizations outside of this country. Ask me, I can tell you about the various threats that I've experienced because of my anti-Globalism stance Well, you can read it for yourself. Soon you will have the choice to either expose yourself to the hostility of various groups and individuals or you can simply forget having your own web site. Sure is handy for those who don't want information leaked onto the global highway of wires and fiber cables, isn't it? Dear Valued Go Daddy Customer, Today I have the unfortunate responsibility of informing you that there has been a decision made by bureaucrats of a Federal agency that takes away your right to privacy as guaranteed by the United States Constitution. This decision was unilaterally made by the National Telecommunications and Information Association ("NTIA") -- http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ -- without hearings that would determine the impact on those affected, and delivered without notice -- in short, the NTIA decision was made without due process of any kind. This is exactly how our government is not supposed to work. The effect of this decision is to disallow new private domain name registrations on .US domain names. In addition, if you already own a private .US domain name registration, you will be forced to forfeit your privacy no later than January 26, 2006. By that time, you will need to choose between either making your personal information available to anyone who wants to see it, or giving up your right to that domain name. I personally find it ironic that our right to .US privacy was stripped away, without due process, by a federal government agency -- an agency that should be looking out for our individual rights. For the NTIA to choose the .US extension is the ultimate slap in your face. .US is the only domain name that is specifically intended for Americans (and also those who have a physical presence in our great country). So think about this for a moment. These bureaucrats stripped away the privacy that you're entitled to as an American, on the only domain name that says that you are an American. I am outraged by this -- you should be also. If, like me, you are outraged at the NTIA's decision to strip away our constitutional right to privacy, the Web site www.TheDangerOfNoPrivacy.com (opens new window) will provide you with a petition to sign. (Only your name will be published, your address and email information will be kept private.) This Web site also provides a very easy way for you to send either a fax or an email, expressing your outrage, to your Congressperson and Senators. This is all provided at no cost to you. All that is required is for you to take the time to visit www.TheDangerOfNoPrivacy.com (opens new window) sign the petition, and send the fax or email to your legislators. On my personal Blog -- www.BobParsons.com (opens new window) -- there are a number of articles where you can learn more about the NTIA's unfortunate decision and what you can do to help get it reversed. I also will be talking about our right to privacy on Radio Go Daddy, our weekly radio show that debuts today, March 30, at 7 PM PST. To find out how to listen in, please visit the Web site dedicated to the show, www.RadioGoDaddy.com (opens new window). You can be sure that I, and everyone at GoDaddy.com, will do everything in our power to get the NTIA decision reversed. However, we need your help. Please visit www.TheDangerOfNoPrivacy.com (opens new window) to sign the petition and express your feelings to your Congressperson and Senators. Sincerely, Bob Parsons President and Founder GoDaddy.com Click Here If you have an interesting take on the news, on an important societal issue, or you would simply like to express your thoughts on a given subject, we invite you to send it along to GKO. Send it along to us using the appropriate link you will find on our contact page.