On Wed, Aug 26, 2009 at 12:26 PM, Gregory Maxwellgmaxwell@gmail.com wrote:
On Wed, Aug 26, 2009 at 3:17 PM, Robert Rohderarohde@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