Re: Question 1 about deadlock issue

[James M Galvin <galvin+ietf-nomcom@eListX.com>]

On Thu, 15 May 2003, Brian E Carpenter wrote:

    James M Galvin wrote:

    > I prefer that we be silent on the default action but Proposal B where
    > the default action is confirmation would also be acceptable.

    Ran's original argument on this, which persuaded me to prefer A, was

    >> if a candidate is so controversial that at least 50%
    >> of the confirming body is not actively supportive of a given candidate
    >> then that candidate is clearly not the best choice for the Internet
    >> community.

    which says that the CB trumps the Nomcom. We had indeed better
    be clear about that, one way or the other. Since in our present
    constitution, the CBs are also the process appeals bodies, we have to
    be even more clear.

While I agree with Ran completely, my concern is I want the CB to take
responsibility for its actions.  Specifically, if the CB can not agree
to confirm a candidate I want the process to force them to actionably
reject the candidate.

The problem with the default being reject is it sets aside 2 months of
hard work of the NOMCOM for 2 weeks of the CB being unable to agree.

I'm okay with the CB rejecting a candidate I just want them to actually
do it.  I am not okay with the CB having the option to step aside and
leave the NOMCOM wondering what happened and what to do next.

The communication path between the NOMCOM and CB is very narrow.  I want
to make sure that if it needs to exist it will exist.  Letting the CB
take no action leaves the NOMCOM disconnected from the CB.  Forcing the
CB to actually reject a candidate if they can not agree to confirm the
candidate ensures that both parties have a path to communicate.  Whether
or not they will is an entirely separate matter, but the process should
not leave a hole like that, in my opinion.


I still believe setting a default is more than we need to do, because
even with it the process can deadlock so the improvement is marginal at
best, but if we must have a default it should favor the NOMCOM and thus
should be to confirm.

Jim