[WikiEN-l] "Dust has settled" considered euphemistic (re:172 & VV)

Thu Jun 24 14:07:35 UTC 2004

Abe (user:172) has asked me to inform the mailing list that I have
"retracted" my request to ban him. I'd like to take this opportunity to
clarify a few points.

When I asked, "Can we ban 172 and VV?", I was using a rhetorical device.
What I sought was merely that ALL parties concerned, would be in
compliance with Wikipedia policy. Be cooperative, or be elsewhere:
nothing more, nothing less.

I've broken a lot of log jams at Wikipedia, and when I set out to do
something here I've always succeeded. If it's an article, I've always
been able to find a way to get all the contributors to agree on both the
process and the product. If it's a 'troublesome user', it's a bit more
involved.

The best outcome is that the user sees the light and chooses
_voluntarily_ to support Wikipedia policy: chiefly, no insults and no
reversion wars. Other alternatives include getting an "official warning"
or being blocked (temporarily) or banned (indefinitely). The last
alternative is always farthest from my mind, because it's the worst for
all involved.

But some people think that calling someone to account comprises a
personal affront: "How dare you tell me to follow the rules!" Well,
somebody has to do it. Better me than Jimbo, because most people who
tangle with Jimbo wind up getting exiled. I'm much more patient and easy
to deal with.

But Abe handled the "shape up or ship out" confrontation rather well.
It's a pity that the process was so disturbing to him, but I don't feel
I have anything to apologize for. My job (as I see it) is to ensure that
articles are accurate and unbiased; my method is to encourage users to
contribute with courtesy.

It's not dis-courteous to insist that another user conform to Wikipedia
policy. Contrariwise, it's my duty.

Ed Poor, aka Uncle Ed
Bureaucrat