[Spi-private] Bruce's Platform

[Andrew Sullivan]

Ok, I have been avoiding this thread like the plague, because it
looks to me like a rathole.  But this is just too much:

On Fri, Jul 14, 2006 at 08:43:17AM -0700, Bruce Perens wrote:

> 2. Saving Free Software from software patenting is a heck of a lot more
> relevant than managing a checkbook.

No, it is not.

The purpose of SPI, as near as I can tell -- and the only reason I
could (and did) support the PostgreSQL project joining -- is exactly
that sort of supporting activity.  It is _extremely important_ for
projects to be able to rely on good, solid, but admittedly less
Richard the Lion-heart activities as competent management of the
finances, orderly and organised co-ordination, &c.  Glory it ain't, I
admit; but any empire that worked and lasted did so not only because
of glorious battles, but also because of good administration.  The
same is true of any large social project.

Frankly, I'm more than a little alarmed that anyone who proposes to
have a direct role in managing SPI's activities is willing to dismiss
those day to day issues.  I'm rather more interested in someone
saving SPI projects from penury, vainglory, and mismanagement than I
am in someone who wants to save all of Free Software from all
software patents.  Indeed, unpacking what the latter might mean could
absorb whole organisations whose business it is.  I suggest that
perhaps such organisations would welcome contributions of energy and
knowledge to their goals.  They're good and important goals; but
they're not the only worthy ones.

A

-- 
Andrew Sullivan  | ajs at crankycanuck.ca
This work was visionary and imaginative, and goes to show that visionary
and imaginative work need not end up well. 
		--Dennis Ritchie