>> From: Forest Simmons <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> Subject: Re: [EM] Re: IRV wins big in SF and Vermont
>> > By the way, how did your article turn out, that you wrote >> > about a year ago? >> The local Green newsletter published about a third of it, >> with a short rebuttal from the local IRV committee chair, >> "Arrow's Theorem says that all election methods have >> problems, so IRV is no worse than any other method, and >> since it solves the spoiler problem, let's don't get side >> tracked with Approval, etc." >> They refused to look at any counter rebuttal from me since >> they were already on board with the IRV initiative. In >> other words, they used a editorially weakened version of >> my article as a straw man to knock down (in order to give >> the appearance of balanced coverage of the issue). Reminds me of a cartoon I saw many years ago, a picture of a Zen monk sitting quietly on tatami, the apotheosis of serenity. Stashed behind a paper screen is a pile -- a TV, some skis, speakers ... I guess your experience is yet another reminder that a serious interest in fairness is not sufficient to ensure fairness, and we should all be wary. In particular, I make a habit of not putting my efforts in the hands of anyone liable to abuse the privilege (whenever possible), and I recommend the policy to all. I know you put a lot of effort into that paper. I hope to hear that it has been resurrected in a place where it will be properly appreciated.