Re: [Mtgvenue] Political considerations (was: Re: Comments on draft-baker-mtgvenue-iaoc-venue-selection-process-02

[Alissa Cooper <[e-mail]>]

Hi Dave,

> On Oct 28, 2016, at 10:02 AM, Dave Crocker <[e-mail]> wrote:
> 
> Alissa, et al:
> 
> On 6/22/2016 6:49 AM, Alissa Cooper wrote:
>> (b) Political considerations
>> 
>> "we do not choose or not choose venues based on political criteria."
>> 
>> What does this mean exactly? We know that the IETF is getting paid by
>> local governments to hold meetings in many (but not all) locations. That
>> doesn't seem like an entirely apolitical activity. Furthermore, both of
>> the prongs of the inclusivity principle derive from actions that local
>> governments take and that we then consider in selecting venues. If none
>> of those are considered "political criteria" then what would be? Perhaps
>> there is a better way to phrase this that doesn't appear contradictory.
> 
> 
> Ignoring the line of academic debate some economists and political scientists like to have claiming that the two topics are highly related and maybe even the same topic...
> 
> 
> The IETF takes sponsorship funds from a host country as an economic incentive, independent of the country's political details.
> 
> Individuals who participate in selection discussions often offer comments about a country's politics, but I believe they do not wind up affecting the choices directly, nor are they typically discussed at length.
> 
> Rather, matters of convenience, cost, safety and other purely logistical and operational matters for the criteria that get used. And I think we have a number of places we've gone and places we haven't gone, that reflect a fair range of political paradigms, demonstrating this.
> 
> As such, I believe the current draft text is exactly correct.

I think the definition of “political criteria” latent in what you say above would perhaps be a better fit than just saying “political criteria.” Something like political orientation/paradigm/system in place at the venue location would capture this point better.

Thanks,
Alissa

> 
> d/
> -- 
> 
>  Dave Crocker
>  Brandenburg InternetWorking
>  bbiw.net