Bug#741573: Two menu systems

[Ian Jackson <ijackson@chiark.greenend.org.uk>]

Sam Hartman writes ("Bug#741573: Two menu systems"):
> So, I'd like to request the TC to first consider whether a consensus was
> reached in the process and if so whether there's a compelling reason not
> to respect that consensus.  If no consensus was reached or the TC finds
> it has a compelling  interest not to respect that consensus, then
> focusing on the technical details of the policy seems reasonable.
> In my opinion, not respecting the project as a whole enough to make a
> determination about consensus does significant harm.

This is hardly the first time that a matter has come to the TC after a
dispute has escalated to acts (on one or both sides) whose legitimacy
is disputed.  I doubt it will be the last.  Our approach has always
been to look at the underlying dispute and try to resolve it.

So, no.  The TC will not make decisions about the content of policy on
the basis of an adjudications about the policy process.  We will rule
on the underlying question(s), on the merits.

(In my view, the menu question should have been referred to the TC
much sooner.)

The legitimacy of the actions of the policy maintainers is a matter
for the policy team as a whole, and in extremis for the DPL (given
that the policy team are DPL delegates).  However I would strongly
encourage everyone not to dwell on the alleged wrongs of the
disputants.  Such discussions are unpleasant and almost always
unproductive.

Ian.