Re: Constitutional amendment: Condorcet/Clone Proof SSD vote tallying

["John H. Robinson, IV" <jaqque@debian.org>]

Manoj Srivastava wrote:
> 
>  If you [Buddha Buck] meant to change the meaning of quorum, I must
>  confess I disagree. 

you, sir, are the one changing the meaning of of the word quorum. my
amendment restores the meaning of quorum with respect to the Debian
voting mechanism.

The Oxford English Dictionary:

quorum
1. Orig., certain justices of the peace, usually of eminent learning or
   ability, whose presence was necessary to constitute a bench; latterly
   the term was loosely applied to all justices.

   b. transf. Applied to similarly distinguished members of other
      bodies; hence, a select company.

2. A fixed number of members of any body, society, etc., whose presence
   is necessary for the proper or valid transaction of business.

3. Necessary materials. Obs. rare.


The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth
Edition:

quorum
n.                                                                                   
1. The minimal number of officers and members of a committee or
   organization, usually a majority, who must be present for valid
   transaction of business.                                                                                        
2. A select group.  


please note that at no point does quorum say that the majority have to
like the business being transacted, just that they must be present. my
amendment restores the meaning of quorum to quorum.

-john