Fascinating article...

Wow.

While the idea of an Internet "driver's license" will never fly and sounds like an attempt by Microsoft to control its fiefdom, Mr. Richmond's article is way too full of sarcasm and poor logic (not to mention some factual errors or stretching of the truth, as suggested in some comments) to be enlightening in such a discussion. Calling the UN a group that is "utterly unelected, unaccountable, corrupt and and composed of some of the most odious dictatorships on the planet" is not germane, and is not helpful.

The Internet is too far-reaching and widespread to be controlled, attempts by China and other nations notwithstanding. There are too many avenues for circumventing whatever controls might be in place that governments might as well give up. It will be easier for them in the long run.

But rants like this one do nothing to give the open source community credibility.