[OSM-talk] Crimea situation - on the ground

[Rory McCann]

On 08.02.20 12:01, Colin Smale wrote:
> Absolutely. But we should document our sources! Basic rule of research. 
> And if we choose to promote one alternative above the others, we are 
> skating on thin ice.

IMO, the "alternative" OSM promotes is "what's on the ground". Let's 
nail our colours to the mast. IMO this is our (long standing) standard. 
In theory, we don't need to provide documentation, because, in theory, 
other mappers can "go there" and "look" at it first hand themselves.

> Have we actually asked the people of Crimea 
> first-hand what they think? No=>it's someones opinion.

My example of "asking people on the ground" is for city names. 
`admin_level=2` border (IMO) means (except here) "what country 
physically controls the area".

Is there anyone who actually doesn't think Russia currently _does_ 
control the area? Anyone in Crimea, in Ukraine, in Russia, who doesn't 
think that? I don't think so. (whether you think Russia _should_ control 
it or not). I suspect Ukrainian police don't go into Crimea today, 
showing a certain level of knowledge of who actually controls the area 
now....