[Vmdebootstrap-devel] [ralph.amissah at gmail.com: outrageous, thievery]

[Richard Newton]

I agree, shame on those responsible. I have been using Debian for almost 15
years and this is the first time I have been ashamed. Add my name to the
record "of conscientious objection."

RIchard Newton

On Mon, Nov 9, 2015 at 11:42 AM, Ralph Amissah <ralph.amissah at gmail.com>
wrote:

> I post not in anger but sadness, I should not let my voice go uncounted.
>
> Attached is my note to Daniel of earlier today, before his posting of
> "an abrupt end to Debian Live". Debian Live which he said Debian should
> have (as a Debian developer) in 2006 and went on to deliver, rather
> nicely (with (and without) help).
>
> ----- Forwarded message from Ralph Amissah <ralph.amissah at gmail.com> -----
>
> From: Ralph Amissah <ralph.amissah at gmail.com>
> To: Daniel Baumann
> Subject: outrageous, thievery
> Date: Mon, 9 Nov 2015 09:28:44 -0500
> Message-ID: <20151109142844.GA28261 at niu>
> User-Agent: Mutt/1.5.24 (2015-08-30)
>
> Daniel, (already one of the more active Debian Developers then) I
> remember you telling Debian at Debconf 2006, Mexico about how "we"[1]
> needed a live-maker within the project. I said then that I thought this
> one of the most important projects within Debian (I was surprised that
> there was not more interest and effort offered by others at the time,
> though there was some, those so keen now did not seem to pay attention
> then).  Already then it was clear that it would one day be able to and
> possibly be the preferred way to do a Debian install... as I said,
> important. I saw how you contributed to Debian then, and I know how you
> have contributed since. Instead of welcoming you and your work, there
> seems to have been an effort to isolate you.
>
> Well clearly others have seen the fruits of your labor as a threat and
> with envy, and ripe for their plucking!
>
> Outrageous! Disgusting. It is nasty. A bit strange to think that I
> "know" some of those guys.
>
> My interest in Debian proper, dropped with your earlier treatment, it
> took away the desire to be a closer part of it. At least that took out
> much of any idealized notion of the inner workings of it. And there have
> been other moves since. I continue to be amazed by the politics of
> groups within Debian.  This though has the feel of blatant thievery.
> Chals characterization of a dictatorial coup would seem to be most
> accurate.
>
> It has no doubt to do with power (perhaps indirectly money is involved
> as well), your work & work area being seen as strategically important.
> They do it because they can, & justify it whatever which way they will.
>
> I am sorry. I feel pretty bruised on your behalf.
>
> We have not spoken in a long while. I hope we have the chance to talk in
> happier times.
>
> Greetings.
> Ralph
>
> P.S. We are ok, not much to report.
>
> ----- End forwarded message -----
> [edits: addition of footnote, &; s/picking/plucking/]
>
> Indeed I am a friend of Daniel and primarily a user of Debian (a minor
> contributor of a package (sisu[2]) that I wrote that I am happy to have in
> Debian). In other circumstances I would consider myself at least an
> admirer of individuals involved on the other side of this. Indeed I (use
> use some of your software daily and) have met a number of you over the
> years at a number of Debconfs and have fond memories for example of
> visits to Cambridge when I lived in the U.K. and of being "introduced"
> to Debian by Debian insiders.
>
> Thanks to all who have stood up for Daniel, he is a wonderful, generous,
> (and capable) person. And yes, I do think him "wronged" by "Debian".
> There are others that know him pretty well, who have followed a fairly
> long sequence of events who must be outraged as well.
>
> Of course I wish Debian well, but I do not see your "handling" of Daniel
> as its finest hour. This will no doubt "blow over" as it must ultimately
> for the good of the project, but it sticks in my craw as it no doubt
> does others, and there should be some record of conscientious objection.
>
> Ralph Amissah
>
> [1] to be clear, "we" was Debian.
> [2] http://www.sisudoc.org/
>     https://qa.debian.org/developer.php?login=sisu@lists.sisudoc.org
>
>


-- 
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This electronic communication with its contents may
contain confidential and/or privileged information. It is solely for the
use of the intended recipient(s). Unauthorized interception, review, use,
or disclosure is prohibited and may violate applicable laws including the
Electronic Communications Privacy Act. If you are not the intended
recipient, or authorized to receive for the intended recipient, please
contact the sender and destroy all copies of the communication. Thank you
for your consideration.
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.alioth.debian.org/pipermail/vmdebootstrap-devel/attachments/20151109/54ecbe24/attachment.html>