Kirill,
Thank you for your clearing this up. I would suggest that the document
could use a careful review. For example, it says "over 1800 individuals
in the active community of Wikipedia contributors recognized the need to
act in order to confront these dangerous legislations." The largest vote
was 736, not 1800. Also, I think the sentence puts words in the mouths of
those voters, many who would not use a word like "dangerous" to describe
the legislation. What basis do we have for the claim that SOPA would be on
the "backs of millions of innocent online users."
Regardless of whether one is for or against SOPA or PIPA, there is the
larger question of whether Wikipedia, WMF and WikiDC should be involved in
advocating legislation and whether a blackout "protest" is ever an
appropriate step. I would prefer a more neutral role with WikiDC hosting
a pro vs con SOPA debate at one of its meetings.
The claim, "Wikimedia District of Columbia (Wikimedia DC) stands firmly
with the decision of Wikipedia editors and administrators to shut down the
English Wikipedia" is disputed within the membership of the Society. The
Board owes it to the membership to schedule a meeting and engage in a
discussion with any interested members present *before* making such a
policy decision. There were hundreds of editors who did not favor a
shutdown and many who opposed any action whatsoever.
Instead of endorsing the shutdown, I would hope that going forward WMF and
the chapters would draw a firm line saying that we are never going to do a
blackout again. Otherwise, activitists will seek shutdowns for a variety
of causes. For example, if Wikipedia were around in 2002, would people
demand a shutdown to protest the start of the Iraq and Afganistan
millitary conflicts? Those decisions cost many more lives than SOPA, but
is that Wikipedia/WMF/WikiDC's role?
Thanks,
-- Bob
To clarify the procedural aspects of this a bit, the
current press release
has been authorized by the President of Wikimedia DC. The Board will be
formally endorsing the President's statements at our next regularly
scheduled meeting.
Cheers,
Kirill
--
Kirill Lokshin
Secretary | Wikimedia District of Columbia
http://wikimediadc.org | @wikimediadc
On Wed, Jan 18, 2012 at 3:58 PM, <bob(a)racepacket.com> wrote:
Why were the Board's deliberations on this
press release hidden from the
view of members? Was it done by unanimous written consent? I did not
see
any notice of a special meeting regarding it. I am curious.
Thanks,
-- Bob Platt
Dear all,
Wikimedia District of Columbia Board of Directors has released its
position on SOPA and PIPA in a press release[1] and blog post[2].
1.
http://wikimediadc.org/wiki/Press#Official_statement_of_Wikimedia_DC_on_SOP…
2.
http://blog.wikimediadc.org/2012/01/the-fundemental-flaws-of-sopa-and-pipa/
Sincerely,
Nicholas Michael Bashour
Vice President
Wikimedia District of Columbia
Washington, DC, USA
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