Bug#727708: Call for votes on init system resolution

[Adrian Bunk <bunk@stusta.de>]

On Fri, Feb 07, 2014 at 10:42:13AM -0800, Russ Allbery wrote:
> Andreas Barth <aba@ayous.org> writes:
> > * Russ Allbery (rra@debian.org) [140207 02:09]:
> 
> >> I also flatly disagree with Adrian over whether we're deadlocked.  I
> >> don't see any point in discussing it, though.
> 
> > I agree with you, I don't see any reason why we are deadlocked. If we
> > want to do yet another round on improving texts this is fine for me,
> > but should be finished soon. And the following vote should really be
> > finished, and I expect an outcome from the votes and statements I have
> > seeing so far.
> 
> Just to be very clear here, I do believe that we're deadlocked, even
> though I expect the resolution process to be able to spit out a decision.
> I don't mean deadlocked in the sense that Condorcet will fail, but rather
> deadlock in the sense that the preferences above FD will result in a tie
> and the question will be decided by casting vote.
> 
> I consider deciding the question by casting vote to be synonymous with
> being deadlocked, since the whole point of a casting vote is to break
> deadlocks.  I realize, in retrospect, that this may be an idiosyncratic
> use of the term "deadlock" and that other people thought I meant that no
> option would get a majority above FD.
> 
> The casting vote is the process we have, and the process that everyone
> agreed to.  But I must say that I'm personally quite uncomfortable with
> deciding an issue of this magnitude by casting vote.

Thanks for the explanation, that explains where I misunderstood you.

You are right that there is no clear majority for any option.

But after all the hefty debates I was positively surprised to see that 
it might be possible that the winner is acceptable for all TC members
(IOW: beats FD 8:0).

IMHO a 4:4 decision with casting vote where 4 members consider the 
result as a second best but acceptable solution is better than
e.g. a 5:3 decision with 3 TC members vehemently opposing the result.

cu
Adrian

-- 

       "Is there not promise of rain?" Ling Tan asked suddenly out
        of the darkness. There had been need of rain for many days.
       "Only a promise," Lao Er said.
                                       Pearl S. Buck - Dragon Seed