This might be a naive observation, but it sounds like they are having a difference of opinion on the purpose of the TLDs. If they could clarify between each other of that basic concept, then the discussion could focus on the peripheral issues with adding new TLDs. Is it meant to control the growth rate of the registered domain names? Is it meant as a hierarchical grouping qualifier? Is there going to be any enforcement of violations? Is it just meant to be a controlled abstraction layer? What is the general legal liability to adding new TLDs? Erik