Fwd: DASC officer election resumption

From: Alex Zamfirescu <alex.zamfirescu_at_.....>
Date: Mon Dec 17 2007 - 22:22:27 PST
FYI

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Alex Zamfirescu <alex.zamfirescu@gmail.com>
Date: Dec 17, 2007 9:09 PM
Subject: Re: DASC officer election resumption
To: "Bailey, Stephen" <SBailey@model.com>

Steve:

Please read between your lines below.
Your implications do not relate to what I said.


On 12/17/07, Bailey, Stephen <SBailey@model.com > wrote:

> Alex,
>
> You missed the point.  I didn't say that position statements are
> prohibited.


And I did not say that you claimed that position statements are prohibited.

I stated that "Your view that if something is not written in the procedures
it should not
happen is therefore flawed." Meaning that there are things which are not
spelled in
details in the P&P-s which still have to happen in order to qualify an
election as valid.
I hope that you agree with this.



>  I only stated that the elections need only meet the criteria specified in
> the P&Ps.


Not true. An election has to meet also other criteria. Some come from the
P&P-s
other come from the established procedure, other come from reasonable
expectations,
and yet others come form common sense and average meaning and perception
about things in a culture.



>  Since the P&Ps do not cover position statements, it is up to the
> returning officer as to how they are handled.


And they have to be handled according to established procedure, and
expectations.
In case that he wants to change something he has to announce it in advance,
and not
surprise anybody with innovations which will not make sense even if there is
not
enough time to volunteer (this was the reason given for not doing the right
thing).




> The general requirement only being one of fairness.



Note that I take fairness to mean "exhibiting a disposition that is free of
favoritism or bias; impartial."

Fairness is one, but it should not be interpreted that by being fair (no one
gets
a better deal) the RO can in any way harm anybody in any way even if
it is done in a uniform way to all candidates, and even if somebody
could claim that this is fair. Think about it, maybe you claim tha the RO
could invent any method, like one harming, painfull or damaging, just
because he
can apply it the same way to all. That's why the RO is not allowed to remove
expected
procedural phases. Note also that the exclusion of a procedural phase even
if it is done
to all the candidates, might be advantageous to some and more
disadvantageous to others,
so it is not even fair according to the initial definition.



> As the DASC reflector is open to all, no permission or accommodation by
> the RO is required.



For what? Sure, the reflector is open, and anybody can post, but the
gathering
of all statements, and the broadcast of the ballot including statements is
much different from the liberty to post a message. I explained the diffs in
another
e-mail, and will not repeat them here.

>>Any candidate can take the initiative to make a statement.

Sure they can do it, but with the ballot paper they are required, all
statements
are broadcasted in one ballot, everibody gets to see that before their
initial vote.


>>The more relevant aspect of the P&Ps I was addressing is that raised by
Dennis -- that >>the chair cannot interfere in the election as he is a
candidate.

The chair can post anything on the reflector as anybody else. The reflector
is free,
as you stated.
The RO should not be influenced beyond his own thinking (reason), but if
somebody flags
an error, he can correct the situation without the danger of people thinking

that somebody interfered.


>>That gets to the general requirement of fairness of the election.

I am sorry but Victor took the agreement of everybody involved before even
opening a dialog. You were cc-ed to every e-mail.

>>Broader still, it gets to the legitimacy and integrity of the DASC.  Both
of these >>characteristics of DASC must be protected which is why Victor so
quickly rescinded his >>request to Peter.

You assume that Victor did that because he did something unfair the first
time,
which is not true. What was unfair was that Peter in his message stopping
the
election mentioned "the chair" instead of pure and simply, and with courage,

recognising that a minor glitch occurred which he tries to fix or repair it.


>>Peter has given direction to the candidates and DASC that are within the
P&Ps.
>>Barring any evidence that Peter's actions have violated the P&Ps, let's
get on with the >>election.

The more you try to explain the more you convince me that the elections
validity was compromised.

Steve, since what you tell me, and my view about it is useful to all the
DASC members
I cc the reflector here. I hope you do not mind it, it's not something I
like done to my
e-mail messages, but when it happens I just say "C'est la vie!" meaning
"That's life!"
I think that's called "public life."

Best regards,

Alex Zamfirescu

----------
Stephen Bailey
Product Marketing Manager, Questa
stephen_bailey@mentor.com
+1 303 775 1655
www.mentor.com

--- original message ---
From: "Alex Zamfirescu" < alex.zamfirescu@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: DASC officer election resumption
Date: 17th December 2007
Time: 2:44:13 pm

Dear Steve:

What is written in the procedures will be always detailed down to a certain
level.
The procedures are not a program that a machine executes, they are a set
of recipes
that humans with memory observe.

Your view that if something is not written in the procedures it should not
happen is therefore flawed. I challenge you to write the procedures which
will be executed by a machine.

Until then we need to relay on the fact that we are human. One of our
advantages
is that we follow established procedure. This is all what I asked.

I may come with many examples of things which are not written in the
procedures
but happened just because that's the way elections are performed.

Alternatively, we should not hold elections without first writing down
how we did them in the past, in whatever detail you think that is needed,
if we can not take that (the established procedure, even the semantic
of some words, etc.) into account in other way.

I do not look forward to becoming a machine.

Sincerely,

Alex Z



On 12/17/07, Bailey, Stephen <SBailey@model.com > wrote:
>
>  Can everyone calm down a bit?
>
> The DASC has operating procedures (policies and procedures) that govern
> how we operate.  One purpose of having those procedures is to avoid this
> type of situation.  The P&Ps cover elections of DASC officers.  They do
not
> require solicitation of or handling of position statements as part of the
> elections process.  Therefore, they are not required by our P&Ps.
>
> Alex has pointed out that this may be a shortcoming in the P&Ps.  It might

> be, but that is a subject for revising the P&Ps, not for changing the
> documented elections process in the middle of an election.  It is also
> important that Victor, as a candidate for an office that is being filled
in
> this election and as current DASC chair, delegate the responsibility for
> conducting the election to a returning officer (elections
processor).  This
> is for the purpose of maintaining impartiality and avoiding undue
influence
> of the chair on the elections.
>
> Due to past allegations of DASC P&Ps not being followed and the subsequent
> issues that created with SAB, the DASC needs to operate under the P&Ps and

> not deviate from them, regardless of the intent in wanting to do so.
>
> We run the DASC by the book (which is sometimes inconvenient).  If we find

> the book needs to be improved, then there is a process for revising the
> P&Ps.
>
> -Steve Bailey
>
>  ------------------------------
> *From:* owner-stds-dasc@server.eda.org [mailto:
> owner-stds-dasc@server.eda.org] *On Behalf Of *Hanna, William A
> *Sent:* Monday, December 17, 2007 12:13 PM
> *To:* Shields, John
> *Cc:* Alex Zamfirescu; Peter Ashenden; stds-dasc@server.dasc.org
> *Subject:* RE: DASC officer election resumption
>
>
>  My Reply is to John Shields because the message is an accusation direted
> to me:
>
> John:
>
> Your remarks on my remarks are not acceptable to me because I did not say
> what you are accusing me of saying. I did not use the wrod terrorist. I
also
> do not have a conspiracy theory mind that links Alex's position statement
or
> lack thereof to Peter's proposal to delay the election of officers for 2
> weeks because of the holidays.
>
> Sorry, you jumped to unfair judgement of several people that are acting in
> good faith.
>
> Bill Hanna
>
>  ------------------------------
> *From:* John Shields [mailto: John_Shields@mentor.com]
> *Sent:* Monday, December 17, 2007 12:34 PM
> *To:* Hanna, William A
> *Cc:* Alex Zamfirescu; Peter Ashenden; stds-dasc@server.dasc.org
> *Subject:* Re: DASC officer election resumption
>
>
> Bill,
>
> I am truly surprised by your remarks and Alex's.  Everyone has made an
> attempt to satisfy Alex's desire to have position statements, without
being
> rash about attempting to change the P&Ps concerning election in the middle

> of an election.  I note that everyone up for nomination *except Alex* has
> put forth a sincere position statement.  For him to have time to playfully

> chastise Peter and tacitly criticize the Chair for asking for the election

> to be continued according to the rules and still not respond with any
> comment about providing his own position statement IS HIS POSITION
> STATEMENT, as far as I am concerned.
>
> Your opinion that it was OK for Peter to act as he did is a fine opinion.
> When it is prudent to break the rules, they should be broken and it is no
> big deal who gets elected, right?
>
> The "ultra right wing terrorist in our midst" name calling seems out of
> character for you though.
>
> Regards, John
>
> Hanna, William A wrote:
>
> DASC Team:
>
> I do not see the big deal about delaying the DASC election to after the
> Holidays. Dr. Ashenden was right in making the early decision, he was also
> wise in rescending it *because of the ultra right wing?* that is in our
> group with a single mind of torturing us with legalize not appropriate for

> an all volunteers engineering standards body. You wonder if we are running
> the UN's Wold Court here?
>
> People lighten up. Take it easy - extending election time is not likely to

> change the outcome of this election and even if it does, it is not a big
> deal.
>
>
> Happy Holidays, Cheers,
>
>
> *William A. (Bill) Hanna; Ph.D.EE <http://ph.d.ee/> <http://ph.d.ee/>*
> *Technical Fellow - Electronics Design* * & Analysis*
> Boeing-IDS Programs                                   Phone: (314)
> 232-0714
> MC S106-9075                                                Mobile: (314)
> 302-8039
> St. Louis, MO 63166-0516    E-Mail: william.a.hanna@boeing.com
>
>
>
>  ------------------------------
> *From:* Alex Zamfirescu [mailto: alex.zamfirescu@gmail.com<
alex.zamfirescu@gmail.com>]
>
> *Sent:* Monday, December 17, 2007 9:04 AM
> *To:* Peter Ashenden
> *Cc:* stds-dasc@server.dasc.org
> *Subject:* Re: DASC officer election resumption
>
>
> Dear Peter:
>
> You were not someone who would allow himself to be
> influenced unduly or who would have had a knee-jerk
> reaction to a problem. We all know that good Returning
> Officers never disappoint in that regard.
> Therefore, I have to share here my surprise for
> seeing how easy you overruled your own previous decision,
> but I may understand that this is all you can do, in case
> the only other alternative was to recuse yourself.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Alex Zamfirescu
>
>
> On 12/16/07, Peter Ashenden < peter@ashenden.com.au> wrote:
> >
> > Dear colleagues,
> >
> > It would appear that I acted precipitously in suspending the election
> > for
> > DASC officers. This message is to resume the election process according
> > to
> > the original timetable, namely, the ballot closing 5:00pm US-PST,
> > Tuesday 18
> > December. If you have not already voted, please do so by then. If you
> > wish
> > to revise a previous vote, I will count the last received by the
> > deadline.
> >
> > Thanks for your patience, and best regards,
> >
> > PA
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> >
> > Dear colleagues,
> >
> > Nominations for Chair and Vice Chair for the IEEE DASC have now closed.
> > The
> > nominees are:
> >
> > Chair: Victor Berman
> > Vice Chair: Stan Krolikoski, Kathy Werner, and Alex Zamfirescu
> >
> > Under IEEE election procedures, we still need to have an election for
> > each
> > position, as there is the option of voters writing in candidate names.
> > So I
> > now invite members of the DASC to vote. Those members who have
> > participated
> > in 3 of the last 4 DASC meetings/ballots are eligible to have their
> > votes
> > counted. Other members should still vote or send a formal abstention,
> > since
> > this ballot will be counted for the 3-of-last-4 rule.
> >
> > As specified in the DASC procedures:
> >
> > Voting shall be by "approval", whereby each balloter may cast an
> > approval
> > vote for each of any number of nominees for an office.  The Returning
> > Officer
> > shall acknowledge receipt of electronic ballots in a timely fashion. The
> > nominee with the greatest number of approval votes shall win the
> > election.
> > Write-in candidates are permitted as specified in the IEEE Bylaws.
> >
> > Would WG members please vote by completing the form below and returning
> > to
> > me by reply email by 5:00pm US-PST, Tuesday 18 December.
> >
> > Thanks, and regards,
> >
> > Peter Ashenden
> >
> > --
> >
> > Chair (place X next to name to indicate approval vote):
> >
> >    ____  Victor Berman
> >
> >    ____  Write-in: ___________________
> >
> >
> > Vice-Chair (place X next to name to indicate approval vote):
> >
> >    ____  Stan Krolikoski
> >
> >    ____  Kathy Werner
> >
> >    ____  Alex Zamfirescu
> >
> >    ____  Write-in: ___________________
> >
> >
> > --
> > Dr. Peter J. Ashenden         peter@ashenden.com.au
> > Ashenden Designs Pty. Ltd.     www.ashenden.com.au
> > PO Box 640                    VoIP:
> > sip://0871270078@sip.internode.on.net
> > Stirling, SA 5152             Phone: +61 8 7127 0078
> > Australia                     Mobile: +61 414 70 9106
> >
> >
> > --
> > This message has been scanned for viruses and
> > dangerous content by MailScanner, and is
> > believed to be clean.
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> --
> Alex Zamfirescu
> 650-814-7514
> alex.zamfirescu@gmail.com
> http://alex.zamfirescu.googlepages.com
> =========
> This communication, and its attachments, may contain
> privileged, or confidential information, intended for a specific
> individual and purpose, and is protected by law. If you are not the
> intended recipient, you should delete this communication, and/or
> shred the materials and any attachments, and are hereby notified that
> any disclosure, copying or  distribution of this communication, or
> the taking of any action based on it, is strictly prohibited.
> Interception of e-mail is a crime under the  Electronic Communication
> Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. 2510-2521 and 2701-2709. If you have
> received this transmission in error, please notify me by reply
> e-mail at alex.zamfirescu@gmail.com and destroy the original transmission
> and its attachments without reading them, or saving them to disk.
> Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
> =========
> --
> This message has been scanned for viruses and
> dangerous content by *MailScanner* < http://www.mailscanner.info/>*, and
is
>
> believed to be clean.
> --
> This message has been scanned for viruses and
> dangerous content by < http://www.mailscanner.info/>**MailScanner, and is
> believed to be clean. *
>
>
> --
> This message has been scanned for viruses and
> dangerous content by *MailScanner* < http://www.mailscanner.info/>, and is
> believed to be clean.
>
>


--
Alex Zamfirescu
650-814-7514
alex.zamfirescu@gmail.com
http://alex.zamfirescu.googlepages.com
=========
This communication, and its attachments, may contain
privileged, or confidential information, intended for a specific
individual and purpose, and is protected by law. If you are not the
intended recipient, you should delete this communication, and/or
shred the materials and any attachments, and are hereby notified that
any disclosure, copying or  distribution of this communication, or
the taking of any action based on it, is strictly prohibited.
Interception of e-mail is a crime under the  Electronic Communication
Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. 2510-2521 and 2701-2709. If you have
received this transmission in error, please notify me by reply
e-mail at alex.zamfirescu@gmail.com and destroy the original transmission
and its attachments without reading them, or saving them to disk.
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
=========




-- 
Alex Zamfirescu
650-814-7514
alex.zamfirescu@gmail.com
http://alex.zamfirescu.googlepages.com
=========
This communication, and its attachments, may contain
privileged, or confidential information, intended for a specific
individual and purpose, and is protected by law. If you are not the
intended recipient, you should delete this communication, and/or
shred the materials and any attachments, and are hereby notified that
any disclosure, copying or  distribution of this communication, or
the taking of any action based on it, is strictly prohibited.
Interception of e-mail is a crime under the  Electronic Communication
Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. 2510-2521 and 2701-2709. If you have
received this transmission in error, please notify me by reply
e-mail at alex.zamfirescu@gmail.com and destroy the original transmission
and its attachments without reading them, or saving them to disk.
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
=========


-- 
Alex Zamfirescu
650-814-7514
alex.zamfirescu@gmail.com
http://alex.zamfirescu.googlepages.com
=========
This communication, and its attachments, may contain
privileged, or confidential information, intended for a specific
individual and purpose, and is protected by law. If you are not the
intended recipient, you should delete this communication, and/or
shred the materials and any attachments, and are hereby notified that
any disclosure, copying or  distribution of this communication, or
the taking of any action based on it, is strictly prohibited.
Interception of e-mail is a crime under the  Electronic Communication
Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. 2510-2521 and 2701-2709. If you have
received this transmission in error, please notify me by reply
e-mail at alex.zamfirescu@gmail.com and destroy the original transmission
and its attachments without reading them, or saving them to disk.
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
=========

-- 
This message has been scanned for viruses and
dangerous content by MailScanner, and is
believed to be clean.
Received on Mon Dec 17 22:23:45 2007

This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.8 : Mon Dec 17 2007 - 22:24:18 PST