[odf-discuss] Apology and proposal for moving forward from the personal attack issue

[marbux]

On 10/1/07, Daniel Carrera <daniel.carrera at zmsl.com> wrote:
>
> http://opendocumentfellowship.org/about_us/code_of_conduct
>
> The rules are very generic in purpose, so we don't have to make an
> exhaustive list of everything that is not allowed. Also, very specific
> rules can lead to "I didn't do XYZ, I did XYK" - for example "what I
> wrote was not a personal threat, it was a warning, I just pointed out
> that a lot of people who complain about my product might open themselves
> to litigation for libel".


I object to this one as reopening recently closed wounds and to the notion
expressed on the linked draft rules of conduct that vague rules are somehow
superior to specific rules. Vague rules are an invitation to arbitrary and
subjective exercise of power. Specific rules provide far better guidance
for list members in their conduct and can also serve as a check on arbitrary
and subjective exercise of power. "I didn't do XYZ, I did XYK" is a valid
defense if only XYZ is prohibited. The goal should be elimination of
vagueness and ambiguity, not their promotion to enhance arbitrariness of
moderator powers, which is precisely what you are arguing for.

Moreover, if the Fellowship provides no private method of dispute
resolution, then the public list remains as the only means of dispute
resolution. All of this brainstorming going toward dispute resolution on the
list by list subscribers is counter-productive of the goal of not inflicting
disputes on the list subscribers to begin with.

And you still offer no solution to the problem of the banned subscriber
being barred from participation in the dispute resolution process, which is
an outright invitation for the moderator to inaccurately depict the banned
subscriber's position.

Best regards,

BUCK "MARBUX" MARTIN
  Director of Legal Affairs
  OpenDocument Foundation
  Contact:
<http://www.opendocumentfoundation.us/contact.htm>
-- Universal Interop Now!
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