I agree entirely with your first paragraph, and jackal's proposal takes account of this by ensuring that an abstention vote is counted as participation for the purposes of TB duty.

Reading your second, I do have to wonder if you have read his proposal in detail? Much of this is also accounted for in the proposal whereby no motion can be passed without both a simple majority of all TB members and a super-majority of those who vote.

You've been on TB while the system described was in place (in fact, this is slightly more stringent because there wasn't a simple majority requirement then). Did you feel that there was a lower bar to getting TB motions passed during the period from 2005 - 2008?

I do have to say, it seems like you are arguing against something which is subtly different from what jackal is presenting.