Re: [gentoo-project] Should Council members be pillars of the community?

[Aaron Bauman]

On Fri, Jun 26, 2020 at 12:47:17PM +0200, Michał Górny wrote:
> Hello,
>
> Here's another question for the nominees.
>
> Back when I was on the Council, there was a time that I've been
> approached that my behavior is not appropriate for a public Gentoo
> representative, even if the comments in question had nothing to do with
> the Council matters.
>
> Today, I would like to ask: do you think that Council members should
> lead the community by example?  Should their reputation be untainted,
> should they be able to withhold their anger even when they believe they
> have reasons enough to attack others?  Should they not participate
> in flames, unless only to extinguish them?
>

I don't believe anyone should *attack* others. As far as being a "pillar
of the community" let us remember that each of us are human. We have
faults, but overall individuals should strive to lead by example. If
they are in the wrong then they should take responsibility. If they
wronged someone else then they should make that apology to them. 

> Is it considered acceptable that a nominee for election calls other
> developers inhumane or delusional on the public mailing lists?  Is it
> good that he throws false accusations without verifying them?
>

Of course not, but again we are human and we often let things get the
best of us. The appropriate course of action here is to right that
wrong... some will and some won't.

> Is it fine that yet another nominee runs an election campaign focused
> on attacking other developers, and apparently trying to get votes
> by finding 'a common enemy'?
>
> Should such people become the public faces of Gentoo?  Or should they
> maybe be professional enough to withdraw their candidacy after
> discrediting themselves in the middle of election?
>

A choice to remove oneself from the election is purely up to that
individual. Should the circumstances be significant enough (and without
going over "what if's?") then they should absolutely do so.

"to err is human..."

-- 
Cheers,
Aaron