User:Lar/ACE2009

2009 Arbitration Committee Elections • Results • Voter log • Discuss the elections • Give feedback on the elections

Election pages: Candidate guide • Candidate statements • Questions for the candidates • Discuss the candidates • Comment on the candidates
Individuals' guides: Bfigura • Casliber • Ceranthor • CT Cooper • Elonka • JayHenry • Juliancolton • Lankiveil • Lar • Majorly • MZMcBride • Riana • Rschen7754 • SandyGeorgia • Vyvyan Ade Basterd • William M. Connolley

Introduction

Herewith my thoughts on the 2009 ArbComm elections. I am now in the process of evaluating all candidates. If you have comments you are welcome to make them on either the talk page for this page, or on my main talk page. You should do your own research, don't go by what I think, but in case you were wondering what I thought, there you are.

This was generated and there may be some small bugs in the edit count link for people with spaces in their names, you'll have to fix them yourself.

Note: If you want to make one of these for yourself you're welcome to crib from this. I used a row template to help out. Technical issues with it should be raised on its talk page: User talk:Lar/ACE2009/row.

The Election and the process

Some thoughts on the overall election process, somewhat random.

First, (and I realise this may not be the populist view) I think the current (2009) arbcom is on balance the best one we've had yet. I think a lot of the credit for that goes to the increased structure and repeatability of processes that the committee has instituted. Just making sure that mail doesn't get lost, publishing a suggested agenda and time line, and other mundane things ... these all go a long way to making the committee and its proceedings "fairer". Wikipedia isn't intended to be fair, but making things fair when it doesn't stand in the way of doing the project is goodness. It helps morale and improves editor retention. I think a large part of the credit there goes to Kirill, and his loss hurts. So candidates that are likely to pick up where he and others left off are likely to get more favorable reviews from me, all else being equal, than those who think we can just wing it.

Second, I'm not really very invested in the discussions about how long terms will be. Seems to me that if terms are too long, arbs just up and quit, so the whole thing seems self regulating. But that said, the current apparent consensus outcome of two year terms and one election per year seems about right to me. Fixing the number of candidates in advance with no surprise appointments by Jimbo seems goodness as well.

Third, I remain convinced that BLPs are the single biggest problem facing the project and I intend to grade candidates on how I perceive their views on BLPs. ArbCom may not be able to directly mandate policy but I expect it to firmly speak out about the BLP problem and whenever it's a factor in the case, ensure that the findings do not punish those who work hard to alleviate it or reward those who do not. My questions from last year remain germane and I intend to ask them again (a modified version of them).

On the choices

First... these are my choices. Yours should be based on your own mind, but if I'm able to help, great. Also, although there are N slots, my final votes may support more, or less, than N people. If I support them, it means I'd be happy to see them on. So what's the difference between a support and a strong support or an oppose or a strong oppose? Just that the strongs are... well... more strongly felt, and I'd be more likely to actively try to sway you to agree with me, if we happened to meet over beers or whatever. But do as you like. The fate of the free world probably does NOT depend on this outcome.

Next: If you want to discuss or debate my choices with me, I'd be happy to do so, use the talk page of this page: User talk:Lar/ACE2009. This is in my userspace, and while all pages belong to the community, that means that the way I do things (for example, if you post it, it's staying... you can line it out but not edit it away once you said it) goes unless you successfully MFD this page. See the top of my talk page for that.

The tables

Currently Running

~~This analysis is preliminary. When it isn't I'll say so.~~ ... I'm done unless something changes my mind. ++Lar: t/c 19:18, 6 December 2009 (UTC)

User/Talk/Contribs	Statement and details	Rights	Edits	Since	My thoughts	Intended vote
AGK • talk • contribs • logs • block log • editcount • rights	statement • stmt. talk • Questions: All/Mine	A	19465	2006-02-27	One of several arbcom clerks running this time. Answers seem like he thought hard about them, which is good, but they seem a bit "pat". Not very happy about opposition to Default to Delete for BLPs. Have seen some actions that give me pause that I can't remember exactly. Also his position on transparency seems off. Not everything can be done on the wiki and knowing what is best done offline is key. All in all I think it would not be the end of the world if AGK was elected but I just can't get very excited. Weak support I guess, unless I decide to only support a small number. I think this will be one of my abstains.	Abstain
Cla68 • talk • contribs • logs • block log • editcount • rights	statement • stmt. talk • Questions: All/Mine	Autoreviewer	27495	2006-01-20	This may be my most controversial "strong support" as there are those who see Cla68 as too controversial... or are resentful that he was tapped for the Advisory Committee last year. They miss the mark. Cla68 is someone who got a very raw deal (in his RfA, which was a tragic miscarriage of how we do things that still hasn't been set right) some time ago but who has shown loyalty to the project... producing article after article of superb content. He has a keen sense of fairness, and is on the right side of all the issues I care about. I urge everyone to give him their full support.	Strong support
Coren • talk • contribs • logs • block log • editcount • rights	statement • stmt. talk • Questions: All/Mine	Arb,O,C, A,EFM	11178	2003-05-27	Despite some things that raise some concern about his tendency to be a bit prickly when questioned about personal integrity issues (who among us is not), one of the better arbitrators of the current bunch in terms of decisions. Some other matters give minor pause but he's on the right side of most of the issues. This ArbCom has done good things, and having him back would be goodness.	Support
Fred_Bauder • talk • contribs • logs • block log • editcount • rights	statement • stmt. talk • Questions: All/Mine	Ex Arb, O, C, A	23521	2002-11-01	Undecided. Some say Fred's time has passed. I think he has a lot of wisdom to share, his input on the functionaries list has been valuable. Sometimes his approach is a bit TOO decisive... redirecting to clown and the like. But I just can't decide. Abstain.	Abstain
Fritzpoll • talk • contribs • logs • block log • editcount • rights	statement • stmt. talk • Questions: All/Mine	A,EFM	12222	2007-04-24	I am impressed with these answers. This candidate seems to have clue, and lots of it. May not be well known enough to be electable but worthy of support. More soon.	Support
Hersfold • talk • contribs • logs • block log • editcount • rights	statement • stmt. talk • Questions: All/Mine	A,EFM,CU	24917	2006-12-21	Hersfold is an Arbcom clerk. Seem to be a lot of those running this year. He's also a CU. Platform is not very exciting. Not a lot of content contribution either. Nice guy. But seems off on BLPs and encyclopedic accuracy in general... oppposes default to delete and opt out, doesn't think flagged revisions should be applied to the whole project, etc. Does see the problem with vested contributors, but doesn't seem to know about the remarkably unwelcome banned user situation. Probably an abstain, won't be too bad but not a stunningly great candidate at this time. Perhaps in future?	Abstain
Jehochman • talk • contribs • logs • block log • editcount • rights	statement • stmt. talk • Questions: All/Mine	A	25950	2005-03-21	Although I had an evaluation here, I've decided to publicly abstain, as I have data that others do not.	Abstain
Kirill_Lokshin • talk • contribs • logs • block log • editcount • rights	statement • stmt. talk • Questions: All/Mine	Ex Arb, Ex O, Ex C, A	59222	2005-06-08	Kirill is an outstanding candidate. It's not possible to say too many good things about him. Superb content contributor, and a very organized and hardworking dedicated contributor. Losing him was a blow to the AC and getting him back would be awesome. As Sandy says, never should have resigned, but did so because he has character. Strong support	Strong support
Kmweber • talk • contribs • logs • block log • editcount • rights	statement • stmt. talk • Questions: All/Mine	None	6359	2004-05-07	Um, right. We need an ArbCom. This one is de facto legitimate enough for our purposes. Also, block record, mindless RfA opposes, et cetera. Not here to build an encyclopedia in my view. As last year.	Strong Oppose
KnightLago • talk • contribs • logs • block log • editcount • rights	statement • stmt. talk • Questions: All/Mine	A,EFM	11754	2006-03-23	Yet another clerk. Doesn't favor opt out but does favor default to delete and liberal semi. Seems thoughtful enough. Probably won't do any harm. Platform sounds good and if he has the fiber to enact it, might be good. Abstain.	Abstain
Mailer_diablo • talk • contribs • logs • block log • editcount • rights	statement • stmt. talk • Questions: All/Mine	A, O, IPBE	48496	2004-11-08	Yet another arbcom clerk. Mostly good answers. But I can't get very excited. Seems thoughtful enough. Probably won't do any harm. Abstain.	Abstain
MBK004 • talk • contribs • logs • block log • editcount • rights	statement • stmt. talk • Questions: All/Mine	A,EFM	52817	2007-07-21	The MILHIST project has given us Kirill and Roger Davies So that's a plus in MBK004's favor. I like most of his answers to questions. Good content contributions. But I can't get excited here either. Maybe next year. Abstain.	Abstain
RMHED • talk • contribs • logs • block log • editcount • rights	statement • stmt. talk • Questions: All/Mine	none	14334	2006-02-07	RMHED cracks me up over on WR. but per NYB, "how about not doing this"? Being funny isn't enough of a qualification for being on ArbCom.	Oppose
Ruslik0 • talk • contribs • logs • block log • editcount • rights	statement • stmt. talk • Questions: All/Mine	A,EFM	18910	2006-03-23	I like the scientist angle. But some gaffes in comprehension of some questions and situations give me pause. I think very good facility with written language (reading and writing) is a key skill. Not going to oppose but cannot support. Abstain.	Abstain
Seddon • talk • contribs • logs • block log • editcount • rights	statement • stmt. talk • Questions: All/Mine	A,IPBE,EFM	5515	2006-11-01	Another clerk? Comment about "free beer (forever)" didn't make any sense to me. Seems to want reform but of what? Appears not to have answered my questions yet. Sorry, not this time.	Oppose
Shell_Kinney • talk • contribs • logs • block log • editcount • rights	statement • stmt. talk • Questions: All/Mine	A	27202	2005-06-10	I like Shell. All the right answers on BLP, and elsewhere. But the blowup with Jehochman worries me. Abstain.	Abstain
SirFozzie • talk • contribs • logs • block log • editcount • rights	statement • stmt. talk • Questions: All/Mine	A	7365	2006-02-06	Per last year's answers to my questions and general knowledge of this editor. Also this editor has clue in large quantities and is willing to go up against some of our toughest Vested Contributor problematic editors. My one concern is the potential for burnout. Strong support.	Strong support
Steve_Smith • talk • contribs • logs • block log • editcount • rights	statement • stmt. talk • Questions: All/Mine	A	17620	2007-02-23	Steve is low key. And sarcastic. But he's very effective. His platform in running for the board was great. Great answers to questions. Likely to be an excellent arbitrator if elected. Strong support.	Strong support
Unomi • talk • contribs • logs • block log • editcount • rights	statement • stmt. talk • Questions: All/Mine	none	1343	2009-03-08	The edit count seems low. "running as an independent" ??? There are no political parties here. Platform seems devoid of content. Failed to answer many of my questions and wasn't too thoughtful on the rest. Also, this gives pause. I don't think so.	Oppose
Wehwalt • talk • contribs • logs • block log • editcount • rights	statement • stmt. talk • Questions: All/Mine	A	28096	2005-09-26	Sandy gives an excellent analysis in her evaluation which I won't repeat in full, but she ticks off issue after issue. I was very unimpressed with Wehwalt's answers especially to my questions. (our current BLP policy is "doing a decent job" ??? huh?... giving Octarine as a color was cute, but the "if you have to ask" addendum was just cocky and unnecessarily grating. Arbs need a deft touch.) Also, this archived thread shows the wrong approach on several levels. I really don't think we want to go in this direction. Strong oppose.	Strong Oppose
William_M._Connolley • talk • contribs • logs • block log • editcount • rights	statement • stmt. talk • Questions: All/Mine	Ex A, Rollbacker	36512	2003-02-07	Lacks deft touch... take a look at this exchange and think about whether that's the sort of person we want as an arbitrator. Answering questions, even unpleasant ones, clearly and readily, is a key attribute. Also, appears to possibly be running to settle scores. Would be a terrifically bad arbitrator. Just no.	Strong Oppose
Xavexgoem • talk • contribs • logs • block log • editcount • rights	statement • stmt. talk • Questions: All/Mine	A	6561	2007-09-06	Overall I haven't been all that impressed with mediation as done here, and I'm not sure that strengthening the power it has here is a good idea. BLP OK. Missed the point on the overplay and vested contributor questions. Sorry, not at this time.	Oppose

Withdrawn

User/Talk/Contribs	Statement and details	Rights	Edits	Since	My thoughts	Intended vote
Chutznik • talk • contribs • logs • block log • editcount • rights	statement • stmt. talk • Questions: All/Mine	None	509 (but qualifies under prev accounts?)	2009-04-01	Withdrawn but I think I would have opposed him, based on views on some issues and persistent socking.	Oppose
Secret • talk • contribs • logs • block log • editcount • rights	statement • stmt. talk • Questions: All/Mine	A	4521	2007-09-31	There is no doubt in my mind that Secret means well. But I think Secret needs some time to mature further... there have been too many incidents of rash judgment. We need calm, reasonable, articulate people on ArbCom. I am sorry but I have to oppose at this time. Perhaps in some future election.	Oppose

Notes

Rights and edits are as of 15 Nov noonish local time (17:00 ish UTC) except for any candidates that entered after that. These include
- Cla68, Kirill Lokshin, Mailer Diablo, William M. Connolley (16 Nov)
- AGK, RMHED, Steve Smith, Unomi, Xavexgoem (18 Nov)
- Hersfold, Secret, Shell Kinney (26 Nov)
- MBK004 (28 Nov)
Positions
- Arb=Current Arbitrator Ex Arb=Former Arbitrator
Rights
- A=Admin B='crat
- C=Checkuser O=Oversighter (requires identification to WMF)
- S=Steward (requires identification to WMF, no other non en:wp rights will be shown)
- IPBE=IP Block Exempt EFM=Edit Filter Manager R=Rollbacker (and not an admin)

Postscript

Thanks for reading this far, hope it was of some help to you…. Your mileage may vary… think for yourself! Comments welcomed (Use the talk page) but please remember WP:CIVIL and WP:NPA. Thanks!