Jorge, I seriously believe you're overreacting and overrepresenting the actual view of the people in Argentina. Few, if any, members of the Internet community in Argentina and neighboring countries share this view, and almost all of us can't help laughing at the ironic situation where some people use 'the secret weapon of the imperialist establishment' to distribute their 'anti-imperialist' message :D. So much for secret weapons. Not only that. In addition, the Internet and social networks have had a key role in the recent protests against the government. And since the electoral vote is split in almost identical 'halves', there are as many people likely to be against the view described in your URL as there are likely to be in favour of it. And since, as Oscar Wilde put it, 'the only worse thing than being talked about is not being talked about', if our meeting there is public enough to warrant a public demonstration, it would in the end be a positive thing for us. We'll have something to remember, like the flooding in Dallas in '06 :D But don't brace for it. Those who are into this kind of political wrangling there have other, of much higher visibility, opportunities to get their 'message' out than stand outside some hotel protesting against an obscure gathering of engineers. regards ~Carlos On 5/27/13 3:16 AM, Jorge Amodio wrote: > > The financial and political current situation is more complex than just > the manipulation and restrictions on currency exchange and payment of > obligations. > > I feel that is totally OT but for example we have supporters of the > current government like this one, claiming to be a writer, that if you > are able to read in Spanish or helped by a translator to read his > article, you will learn that he is propagating a message that says > "Internet is the secret weapon of the imperialism." > > http://sumateacristina.net/m/blogpost?id=6438092%3ABlogPost%3A524963 > > His view is shared by many, so in the event IETF gets to meet in Buenos > Aires, if the meeting becomes public, don't be surprised to see some > coordinated political manifestation. > > Funny thing, does he realize what is he using to propagate his message ? > > I'd really love to see folks from my country become more involved with > IETF, the opportunity for more outreach and engagement, and also visit > my country, but as Dave said IETF is not in the tourism business and > there could be more effective ways to develop some program with long > term effects to drive more regional participation. > > As I said before, just a meeting won't do. > > Regards, > > -Jorge >