Kundigung [Legal Team] leaving FSFE's legal team

[Christian Imhorst]

Hi Florian,

Am 29.03.19 um 17:24 schrieb Florian Snow:
> I think there are multiple relevant factors here.  We are in complete
> agreement that we should not hide things.  The question is, though, how
> to treat them.  One question is the question of privacy.  I think the
> person who leaves has the right to decide in which group this
> resignation is discussed.  In the current case here, that person decided
> to send an email to multiple internal mailing lists.  

I'm with you, that we have to protect the value of privacy. But if I 
write an e-mail to different mailing lists, no matter how "internally" 
they are, this e-mail is no longer private. If it still contains 
fundamental criticism, this e-mail will reach a larger public.

It's different when you write to people directly. They should be aware 
of their responsibility and their transparent handling of the criticism. 
These people should address the points of the criticism and say what is 
or is not. Like you did it, a more transparent dealing beforehand would 
have been good.

Why was the e-mail leaked to other public lists? Because the 
whistleblower fears that the FSFE will not handle the criticism 
transparently, that it will be swept under the carpet.

Am 29.03.19 um 17:24 schrieb Florian Snow:
> I generally don't see an issue with whistleblowing either, but it needs
> a bit of context in my opinion.  I do not condone simply forwarding a
> private email. The base line should be at least naming the evil which
> is to be revealed.

Yes, you're right, our whistleblower still has room for improvement.

Am 29.03.19 um 17:24 schrieb Florian Snow:
> I think this is an important point.  Where else would you like to see
> information like that?  There was a mailing about it and a press release
> (which was suboptimal, I know).  We are open to suggestions.

The FSFE is transparent in many ways, but in some the FSFE is withdrawn. 
For example the current case of the EU Copyright Directive: We claim 
that we spoke with representatives in Brussels and received pledges. Who 
spoke with whom? When? Why? In what context? What kind of commitments 
have we received? I would like to have more transparency, more regular, 
detailed (monthly or quarterly) reports on our current work and more 
communication with supporters, sympathisers and volunteers. Of course 
this would be nice on all public mailing lists, but should at least take 
place on this discussion mailing list.

Finally, FSFE is an organisation of volunteers who work for Free 
Software and Open Standards. Without us, a GA with president and 
vice-president, a legal team, etc. would be an end in itself. Our 
purpose, however, has to be Enlightenment and to educate on what Free 
Software is, why the concept was developed, and that Free Software 
always refers to Free Speech.

Regards
Christian Imhorst