@ Connor: I only think that ICANN decisions like the creation of .xxx can only be appealed to ICANN directly. Technically they are an "international body (for lack of a better term)" governed by their own by-laws.

I think the intended purpose of ICANN being independent (sort of like the UN (an international body)) was to ensure that its decisions were not politically based ...

I think they have now entered a new dogma; that of content placement (or censorship (take your pick)). This is not like .gov, .net or .org . These were content neutral policies set.

sTLD is like a "club" so to speak. So, as long as .xxx remains a "club" that you can voluntarily choose to join there is no legal basis for contesting the recent decision.

So, what this NOW boils down to ? is do you want to pay the price of belonging?

I don't want to join as I see no real advantage to it and mainly, for at least the present time, some committee's interference with my business planning.

Like most of us, I did not want to become a "Franchise" and be subject to some other business' rules. So, the real decision is this a future McDonalds or a "turkey carry out fast food joint?" IMO this is a Turkey.

But getting back to the political issues ? there are many. These remain to be seen. It is hard to mount a defense against a possible or perhaps imaginary enemy. However, waiting to see if that enemy will appear is a dangerous game ? this is what we debte now ...