What I've done here is turn this into a formal
debate. While prehaps we
can change the terms "plaintiff" and "defendant", the purpose here is
to
allow everybody to air their concerns and grievences in a public manner
that can be reviewed later on by all parties involved, and by those
chared with oversight of this project, including other administrators,
stewards, and ultimately the WMF board of trustees.
I want to make this perfectly clear right now, I do like the way you are
going about this process. This arbitration hearing has been set up in a
clear, well-defined way that does give everybody a shot to talk. Barring
the use of some specific terminology, I think the process is a good general
model to use in the future.
What I don't like, (and what Johnny has been pointing out), is that Johnny
himself served as a moderator in this situation (between Darklama and
Panic). Panic asked Johnny (and myself) to come in and moderate the
discussion. Johnny's decision was that Panic was in the wrong, and his
continued bad behavior warranted a block.
What this arbitration hearing is doing, is essentially punishing (or
threatening to punish) Johnny for acting as a volunteer moderator for Panic
in the first place. Panic didn't like the outcome, but that's tough beans:
He asked for a moderator because he wanted to maintain unilateral control
over his book, but what he got was a punishment instead. We're creating a
precedent where moderation and arbitration can be appealed ad infinitum
until everybody gives up or storms off. Somewhere we need to say "A decision
has already been made on this issue, and we need to stand by our decisions".
Don't think for an instant that if you agree with Johnny and have panic
blocked, that he won't appeal higher up the chain (WMF intervention?) to
have you de-admined as well. Maybe he won't succeed, but tell me having your
adminship on the line over this won't upset you pretty badly as well?
--Andrew Whitworth
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