response 85 of 108:

Feb 8 16:37 UTC 2004

After all the debate, both in this item and in the others on the general
subject, I think I understand what this proposal is hoped to accomplish,
but I think it misses the target.  I think a much simpler proposal would
accomplish the goal in a much more straightforward manner:

        Proposed: An item's author, the person who entered the
        item in a conference, shall have the authority to remove
        that item from the original conference and any conferences
        to which it has been linked.  If the software installed
        on grex does not give the author sufficient capability,
        the author may seek assistance from staff and fairwitnesses.

A single vote, yes or no, will settle the question until someone brings it
up again.  If gull does not want to amend his proposal to use this text,
I will hope that his proposal fails and enter this as yet another proposal
on the subject.

NB:  Although I am in favour of the proposal as I have stated it, I expect
that it would fail.  I think the clarity it would provide worth another
24 days of anguish.  I would also hope that the discussion of it would
be informed by the preceding discussions and so not replow infertile ground.

It occurs to me that failed proposals are usually not recorded and so are
often not seen as establishing an affirmative policy.  I would appreciate
assistance in re-wording this proposal to permit appropriate recording
of the ultimate result.  Unless and until gull accepts this amendment to
his proposal, please use e-mail to make suggestions to me.  Note that I
have my mail from grex forwarded to my permanent address,

        gelinas@umich.edu

Use whichever address is most convenient for you.  Replies are promised,
and I will give credit where it is due, if I enter this proposal myself.