Announced doesn't mean working, he's trying to get it started, which is fine but there are still some problems with it.
Once we have a working prototype then great, once all (most) parties are satisfied then go for it.
What qualifies as working? I'm able to generate namecoins through mining, I've registered domain names with the namecoins that I mined. I've changed those domain name properties to have A records, and subdomains, and I've setup nameserver forwarding.... all of this works. I feel like there IS a working prototype.
What problems are you saying are sticking points for holding back the bounty dispersal?