Trebor,
Your statement that we should not refer to the topic of debate -- that we should liquidate the CDS and give the money to charity -- as a "proposal" makes no sense. A "proposal" is a "plan put forward for discussion." To be a plan, an idea merely has to have sufficient practical detail to be acted on if it is accepted -- distinguishing it from a talking point or theoretical idea. This topic of discussion definitely involved a plan that, if we chose, we could act on.
It might be fair to say that the proposal was not a serious proposal (that is, a proposal that the proponent actually wanted to enact). Without knowing who proposed it and why, I cannot assess whether it was a serious suggestion or merely offered for some other purpose (such as to increase involvement through controversy). I think Ranma's post was motivated by that -- and that she is legitimately concerned with whether someone seriously wants to end the CDS or not. Generally, unless something demonstrates the contrary, I am inclined to treat all such proposals as serious proposals and consider, accept or reject them on their merits.
That said, I now suspect that the proposal was not serious, but was offered with the ulterior motive of shocking people into increased participation. If so, then Ranma's response, including her tying it back to her perception (right or wrong) of past events is exactly what the proponent was seeking.
Beathan
