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Re: Rationale for CEDA Exec Discretion

In a message dated 97-08-11 23:34:56 EDT, Terry West wrote:

<< And I'm astounded that a person in your position cannot do better
 than sarcasm as argument.  You have referred to the CEDA procedures
 as undemocratic.  Then you claim you propose to use those same
 procedures.  OK, Bear, let's just make insinuations about each
 others' sanity, leave that, then start over.  WHAT IS YOUR PROPOSAL?
 HOW DO YOU WISH IT TO BE ENACTED?  Please be clear; remember, I "lack
 capability."
  >>

Prof. West,

Perhaps if you had asked this question in the first place we could have
avoided your need to "scold" me, but I have the distinct feeling you needed
to get something off your chest. How courageous and professional of you. 

Here, let me make it crystal clear:

First, let's address my "asinine" contention that the current situation is
undemocratic. My exact word were "lacks democratic accountability." The
current CEDA constitution, even though it may have been democratically voted
into existence, contains a deficiency that enables the President to have full
discretion over format and tabulation procedures. My contention is that the
rationales advanced for Presidential discretion in matters dealing with the
immediate running of the national tournament don't seem to justify why the
issues of tabulation method and format can't be democratically chosen by the
overall members of CEDA. Though I hadn't got around to formulating a precise
proposal, I recognize that this might involve the need for a constitutional
amendment. I was hoping to engage a dialogue on the matter so as to more
precisely conceptualize such an amendment. Earlier posts had asked for
amendment format templates. Though I am sure you will never believe it, this
is not a personal attack on anyone. I am not slandering Tuna. He seemed fine
when we had dinner, yesterday. 

Why has this had to be such the supernova flame? 

Did anyone out there get the feeling from Terry's initial post that he was
inviting me to engage in more open discourse about this subject?

Please, Terry, as my CEDA Rep, please, please try to understand what I'm
talking about before branding me as an asinine liar and threat to the
community. If you continue to address me as you have in backchanneled posts,
I have no conclusion but to conclude that you have tried, judged and
disenfranchised for not meeting your code of organizational fealty and
civility.

Sorry, won't accept that,

Michael Bryant
Archive created by Jonathan Stanton (jonathan@cs.jhu.edu)
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