Once Upon A Time In The Root

Vixie describes root server system politics...

"root zone content is tied up in all kinds of red tape.  the root server operators won't modify it in any way; we publish only what we get from iana. iana and verisign and the united states department of commerce all have to agree on changes to it.  imagine a "mexican standoff" with three people and six guns.  with the ietf/iab as referee and scorekeeper, and the rootops as an interested audience.  ("entertain me!")"

[via NANOG]