Thequackdaddy
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Hey there, a few weeks ago you removed a large, messy section from the Blagojevich article, stating it was plaigarized from press releases. The user has reposted that section with a very non-AGF edit summary ([1]), and I agree that it definitely doesn't belong in an encyclopedia in its current form, but I wanted to see if you had verified that they were actual copyvios? (I did a quick search, but wasn't able to match it up to any specific press release). Anyway, if it is a blatant copyright violation, then it should definitely be removed ASAP. Thanks! SheepNotGoats (Talk) 00:08, 29 October 2008 (UTC)
- Thank you! SheepNotGoats (Talk) 13:57, 29 October 2008 (UTC)
Thequackdaddy, your claims have a few things that make me curious. Press releases are public domain with information and numbers verified by the state, desgined for public use (and in the case of much of the media, often copying verbatim). Simply put, there is no copyright when it comes to press releases issued by an office. The links are provided right underneath each section, not even consigned to the notes section. So what is the exact rule. The credit is fully given. Furthermore, your (and SheepNotGoats') consistent monitoring of this page to remove postive elements but to protect under-referenced and biased negative content on this page has me very curious to who would spend so much energy doing so. You have stated that this section should not be a soapbox; what do you call the more blantantly biased negative postings on this page. It seems no one has a problem with information or the rules if the information is negative. I'd appreciate a response (and a more thorough explanation of what exact rules are being broken); for now, I will edit the information I am trying to include and continue to repost. Firebrandliberal (talk) 21:23, 29 October 2008 (UTC)
- FYI, I've posted a response to this question on my talk page. SheepNotGoats (Talk) 23:43, 29 October 2008 (UTC)
Thequackdaddy, I have recieved some good guidance and advice from SheepNotGoats. I admit I came on harshly and under-equipped to know how to effectively edit Wikipedia and probably should have more closely read the rules concerning weasel words and peacock terms. I still have to deeply contend that the use of press releases does not constitute plagarism; I had called the Illinois offices the releases had concerned and their representatives informed me they did not have copyright issues and reporters often copied or used the releases verbatim in journalistic publications; but now I understand it's more an issue of formatting. I also better understand the imporance of AGF in Wikipedia; I lost that factor when I had originally checked the Governor's page to see your changes without any reaching out on my talk page, which I took as non-AGF, so I responded non-AGF. If it's possible, I hope the both of us can now work with good faith. As for the blanking, I also admit I simply didn't know what I was doing. Thank you for checking for vandalism, one of the reasons I got heated about the Governor's page in the first place); I would like to still include the information on the Governor's initatives, but I will revert to encyclopedia language and look for some more concrete sources, as well. Practice makes perfect, I suppose. Firebrandliberal (talk) 20:20, 30 October 2008 (UTC)