On Wed, Aug 26, 2009 at 12:26 PM, Gregory Maxwell<gmaxwell(a)gmail.com> wrote:
On Wed, Aug 26, 2009 at 3:17 PM, Robert
Rohde<rarohde(a)gmail.com> wrote:
However, in this case, even if we
assume the seat was outright "bought" for $2M, I don't think there are
I'm not sure why people are behaving as though there is any ambiguity
on this point.
The Omidyar Network agreed to make a donation to the Wikimedia
Foundation with the understood condition that their representative
would receive a seat on the board.
There is no need for speculation, it is what it is, like it or dislike it.
I hedged my language because I don't believe it is that simple. I do
believe the money and the seat are linked, but I don't believe just
anyone could buy a seat for $2M. For example, I doubt Mr. Kohs would
be seated even if he had $2M to offer. Describing the seat as being
"bought" ignores the fact that Mr. Halprin does bring valuable skills,
associations, and what appears to be a compatible philosophy. Would
he have been appointed without the financial backing? Probably not.
But I don't believe it was the only factor under consideration. (Or
at least I want to believe that the existing Board is capable of
walking away from "piles of money" if it came with too many strings
and conflicts attached.)
-Robert Rohde