As far as I know, it wasn't an announcement, it
was sending up a trial
balloon amongst a known group who was likely to critique it honestly but
fairly, before taking it public. Strikes me that happens all the time,
and
doesn't necessarily have to involve foundation-related lists but could be
any group of people.
Risker
There wasn't anything wrong with what was done; the problem was a running
sore and had been repeatedly discussed.
Fred