On 7/14/05, Charles Matthews <charles.r.matthews(a)ntlworld.com> wrote:
Michael Turley wrote
> I would request a Bureaucrat who was not so
closely involved (i.e. one
> who did not edit war and deface other comments in this discussion) make
> the decision on this particular RFA.
I could not agree more strongly.
The vote 70-30 for WMC shows he has many friends but has acquired enemies
(together with those who either take the ArbCom ruling to be a blot, or who
are chary of those who get foul of controversy on general grounds).
Now it ramifies into distrust for a bureaucrat. Bureaucrats are elected
precisely on the grounds that they _are_ trusted. So, it seems some people
would want to qualify that.
Forgive me, but this is polarizing, splitting stuff - and just what Wiki-en
should rise above, on a politically-charged issue.
There are a few possible resolutions of the RFA issue here. I do feel
strongly that it is important to speak out against the 'legalistic'
attitude. Wiki works mainly because the barrackroom lawyers are seen for
what they are, and the community wills the constitution to be applied with
as much regard for the assumption of good faith, for example, as for
anything else.
Charles
I want to trust a bureaucrat to judge when it is most appropriate for
them to recuse themselves from an issue. If making that decision
involves accepting suggestions from the editing public, I certainly do
not fault him for that. That is not questioning his good faith; it is
confirming it.
He asked specifically if this would be an issue. I cannot demand
higher standards, but I will request them, especially when asked. I
believe that this is a case where someone involved in an issue should
step aside to allow someone else to make the decision. I believe that
one choice represents a higher standard than the other, and I
expressed that in reponse to a request.
I don't see where Ed being open about his decision making process, and
people responding to him are necessarily polarizing or divisive or
contrary to good faith in any way, as long as we're polite, civil, and
respectful of each other.
--
Michael Turley
User:Unfocused