Bug#727708: tech-ctte: Decide which init system to default to in Debian.
Dear Committee members,
I'm not a DD, just a random contributor, and I haven't been actively
involved in the init system debate at all, nor do I have any stake in
it, though I've followed it with some interest.
Now that the question has been referred to the Technical Committee
(which seems reasonable given the lack of progress in the discussion so
far), it strikes me as somewhat odd that the issue of impartiality/bias
hasn't been discussed in the committee to this point.
The issue has already been raised on the Debian mailing lists[1] and
externally[2][3].
The aphorism "Not only must Justice be done; it must also be seen to be
done" [4], which is oft quoted, not only in judicial proceedings, but
also in domestic tribunals (which would probably best describe the
committee), is based on the principle that the mere appearance of bias
(as opposed to actual bias which can be shown to have influenced a
decision) is sufficient to taint the process/decision.
I would expect that a discussion that leads up to a decision on the
technical issues would at least address the question of bias as well.
Please note that I'm *not* trying to start a flame war here, and I'm
*not* accusing anyone, but I'm afraid that any discussion (and decision)
which was completely silent with regard to bias, once the question has
been raised, would appear to be lacking and would undermine public
confidence in the decision itself (and that's also the reason I bring
this up on a public list rather than in private email).
Kind regards,
David Härdeman
[1] http://lists.debian.org/debian-devel/2013/10/msg00963.html
[2]
http://slashdot.org/story/13/10/28/1621219/debian-to-replace-sysvinit-switch-to-systemd-or-upstart
[3] http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=MTQ5NzQ
[4] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R_v_Sussex_Justices,_ex_parte_McCarthy
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