Wikipedia:Arbitration Committee/CheckUser and Oversight/August 2009 election/CheckUser/Bjweeks

bjweeks

bjweeks (talk · contribs · blocks · protections · deletions · page moves · rights · RfA)

Hello everybody, I'm Brandon.

I've been an editor since late 2006 and an administrator since June 2008. Currently I'm pursuing a computer science degree so I'm fairly well versed in the technical side of CheckUser. This includes CIDR notation for range blocking and doing collateral damage checks, using whois for looking up the owner of an IP and determining if the IP is static or dynamic, querying geolocation databases to find the general geographic area where an IP or user is editing from and using portscannning tools such as nmap, interpreting the results and manually confirming if a computer is an open proxy.

I'm a member of the OTRS team with full info-en access so I routinely deal with personal information and sensitive situations. Often in dealing with BLP tickets I will find sock farms by editors pushing agendas, I worked with CheckUsers to investigate the sockpuppets. The privacy of editors is very important; I intend to show the same regard for the privacy policy with CheckUser as I have with OTRS. I live on the West Coast and will be available during the day for urgent requests.

There are a great set of candidates running for CU—no matter who gets promoted, the community will definitely benefit. Thank you for your consideration and happy voting. BJ^Talk 01:11, 26 July 2009 (UTC)

Comments and questions for bjweeks

• Question from Aitias (added 00:00, 26 July 2009 (UTC)): Obviously, you would not have nominated yourself if you did not believe that there is a realistic chance to be elected. Why do you feel that you of all people should be one of those which will be elected? Do you, for example, reckon that you are better qualified than the other candidates?

  Without trying to sound like everybody else, I honestly believe all five candidates are qualified for the role of CheckUser. Of course each candidate offers their own set of skills, all of which I feel would be a positive addition to the CheckUser team. While qualifications are very important, this election is mostly about community trust. I think I am both qualified for the position and have earned the trust of the community. BJ^Talk 05:32, 26 July 2009 (UTC)

• Questions from SilkTork *^YES! 09:53, 27 July 2009 (UTC) : 1. How would you judge when it is appropriate to use CheckUser to prevent disruption that a user has not yet caused? 2. What disruption might a user with multiple accounts cause in mainspace (rather than project space) that only a CheckUser could solve? 3. In your view which sensitive Checkuser requests should not go via WP:SPI?
  1. When there is some indication provided by the account name that the account could be part of a sock farm, obviously abusive accounts should just be blocked. Many accounts with similar names created in a short period of time would be an example.
  2. Tag team inserting/reverting of content with sock puppets doesn't strictly require a CheckUsers but identifying who is who in complex cases can make sense out of a indecipherable mess. CheckUsers can preemptively stop serial vandals with large sock farms, whereas admins can only clean up the mess.
  3. Whenever the user requesting the check has a reasonable case for not wanting to draw attention to the user/articles involved. Sensitive OTRS cases and suatitions that require material be oversighted and it hasn't yet be done are two that I have encountered. BJ^Talk 00:02, 28 July 2009 (UTC)
• Question from Tony1: Do you think the current policy on alt accounts is too open? What is your view of the discussion that has been going on at Sock puppetry? Tony (talk) 14:20, 27 July 2009 (UTC)

  In a theoretical sense I agree with "one account, one person". One person operating two accounts simultaneously without disclosing the connection causes more harm than it does good. Practically however, I don't see the proposal as feasible. With the current CU system there is no way to check every account with an automated process, nor do I foresee the community supporting such a system. For full disclosure I have one disclosed alternate account I use for editing from public computers: BJ (talk · contribs). BJ^Talk 23:01, 27 July 2009 (UTC)

• Question from Aitias (added 15:06, 27 July 2009 (UTC)): In Enigmaman's second RfA Deskana's actions were kind of controversial. (If you are not (already) a bureaucrat, imagine you were one.) Please explain how you would have acted (and why) if you were in Deskana's position.

  If I had previously seen CU evidence of wrongdoing connected to an account running for adminship, I would not publicly disclose it as Deskana did in that case. However, I feel I would be doing the community a disservice to ignore it. Instead I would contact ArbCom with the information and let them decide how to act on it. I don't think that it is the role of either CheckUsers or bureaucrats to take action on secret data during RfAs, that is in the purview of ArbCom. BJ^Talk 22:41, 27 July 2009 (UTC)

• (comment moved from vote section) I weakly support you due to the lack of experience, but I like your statement.--Caspian blue 00:20, 28 July 2009 (UTC)

Votes in support of bjweeks

2. –Juliancolton | ^Talk 00:01, 28 July 2009 (UTC)
3. JamieS93 00:02, 28 July 2009 (UTC)
4. Vicenarian ^{(T · C)} 00:06, 28 July 2009 (UTC)
5. iMatthew ^talk at 00:09, 28 July 2009 (UTC)
6. Hersfold ^(t/a/c) 00:17, 28 July 2009 (UTC)
7. Majorly talk 00:14, 28 July 2009 (UTC)
8. —harej (talk) (cool!) 00:20, 28 July 2009 (UTC)
9. Weak support --Caspian blue 00:20, 28 July 2009 (UTC)
10. Dabomb87 (talk) 00:25, 28 July 2009 (UTC)
11. (X! · talk)  · @061  ·  00:27, 28 July 2009 (UTC)
12. --Aqwis (talk) 00:41, 28 July 2009 (UTC)
13. Rjd0060 (talk) 01:11, 28 July 2009 (UTC)
14. Pastor Theo (talk) 01:18, 28 July 2009 (UTC)
15. Mixwell
16. Protonk (talk) 01:37, 28 July 2009 (UTC)
17. ~ Ameliorate! 01:47, 28 July 2009 (UTC)
18. PeterSymonds (talk) 02:19, 28 July 2009 (UTC)
19. Cirt (talk) 03:20, 28 July 2009 (UTC)
20. Nathan ^T 03:43, 28 July 2009 (UTC)
21. (reasoning) The Earwig (Talk | Contribs) 03:44, 28 July 2009 (UTC)
22. Strong support -- Tinu Cherian - 05:08, 28 July 2009 (UTC)
23. — Σxplicit 05:33, 28 July 2009 (UTC)
24. Ironholds (talk) 06:20, 28 July 2009 (UTC)
25. --Closedmouth (talk) 06:54, 28 July 2009 (UTC)
26. Willking1979 (talk) 09:54, 28 July 2009 (UTC)
27. Tony (talk) 11:01, 28 July 2009 (UTC)
28. AGK 12:59, 28 July 2009 (UTC)
29. Capitalismojo (talk) 13:16, 28 July 2009 (UTC)
30. Shimgray | talk | 13:58, 28 July 2009 (UTC)
31. Staxringold _talk^contribs 13:59, 28 July 2009 (UTC)
32. LittleMountain5 15:05, 28 July 2009 (UTC)
33. — Athaenara ✉ 16:12, 28 July 2009 (UTC)
34. MuZemike 16:13, 28 July 2009 (UTC)
35. Moonriddengirl ^(talk) 16:51, 28 July 2009 (UTC)

Votes in opposition to bjweeks

2. Weak oppose. — Aitias // discussion 00:09, 28 July 2009 (UTC)
3. Prodego ^talk 00:20, 28 July 2009 (UTC)
4. Weak Oppose -- Sk8er5000 (talk) 00:52, 28 July 2009 (UTC)

   --Fox1942 (talk) 11:09, 28 July 2009 (UTC) (Vote indented as user is not allowed to vote in this election - SoWhy 11:52, 28 July 2009 (UTC))

This country was formerly known as The Principality of Arbingia, so the former name redirects here.

Template:Arbingria Infobox Arbingria [ɑːɛrbeɪŋɡɡrəɔː] (Arbingrian: Arb̃in̉ǵrêia, IPA: [aʐˈɓjəŋˈmʐˈə̌ˀ]) or Federated States of Arbingria (Arbingrian: Arb̃in̉ǵrêia ̣́om Đý̃uc Hưllịc̃a Pṛỗênzị̉pall, IPA: [aʐˈɓjəŋˈmʐˈə̌ˀ om ɗɰəK hɨllɛaː pʐoeɲʂaltʰ]) is a confederation of twenty-eight states under a constitutional monarchy with federal governmental rule located in between the mountainous regions of Noribia continent. Its mainland is bordered with the mountainous regions of USS states of Mantarakis in the north and west and Arianasol on the east. Arbingrian territory also includes the Nashbor Islands and Rumpard Villegas in the Sea of Turingchel; the New Canatuly in the eastern Noribia and the small atoll group of Gonzales in the Pacific.

Arbingria was first settled by Neolithic people at around 3300 BCE (believed to be on the Petrucall River) and was generally populated by Chalcolitic people around 1100 BCE. By 1219 BCE, descendants of early Arbingrian started the Obelsik civilization which was characterized by early developments of Arbingrian religion. On around 772 AD, seven nation-states started to sprung up collectively over the area and was in dominance and peace for at least four hundred years. On 1102, disgruntled members of the unfortunate Soblaja family overthrown theocracy in the "most powerful" state of Lorinthia and conquered the remaining kingdoms. On 1702, Port people broke up a revolution which was formally known as First Arbingrian Revolution which successfully disenthroned the Reading king, and divided the present-day Arbingria into four independent republics. On 1763, Solomon Pampshire reunited the kingdom and reinstalled the broken ninth heir apparent to the throne, thus started the second House of Reading or Turingchel dynasty. On 1823, second revolution flared and replaced the Turingchel by the Lorinthia-linked Geriasarchs. The modern republic was technically established in 1823 when the Constitution of 1824 was ratified, giving the political power to the Prime Minister and renaming the country as a constitutional monarchy.

In history, Arbingria was initially a theocratic state, being replaced only by military government during the Lorinthia era. This is the main reason, as what many historians and sociologists point out why the present Arbingrian government focuses on religion, whereas main concern was general administration. In 1974, several government agencies were dissolved, combined and created, creating the comprehensive list of generalized and more accurate fifteen ministries in every field, and which complexed into eighteen ministries.

Arbingria is known for its many heritage sites, where most of them includes historic monuments, natural preserve parks and ethnographic reservation sites.

The country's capital is Sterling-Newbury, which was essentially created in 1819 from the defunct adjacent cities of Sterling Fantry and Newberry State. On the other hand, largest city is the Arebit Holn. Sterling-Newbury and Arebit Holn are both located on the province of New Port Castles.

Division

Main article: States of Arbingria

File:Arbingria political map with regions.png

Political map of Arbingria showing regions and states.

Arbingia is consisted of 28 states, 27 of them are located in clusters in the mainland nation, one is separated along the coastlines of Arianasol. The country's extent also includes the four territories. All in all, there are six regions in the mainland and one in the territories (which comprises all of them), that are divided based on the following criteria:

• Cultural relationship
• Linguistics
• Similarities of tradition and history

The only state that does not fall into any of those criteria but was included in a regional cluster is Southern New Arianasol, based upon the 1936 Supreme Court decision Murphy v. LiLopatty.

Regions

Currently, there are six federal regions on Arbingia: Central Highlands, Northeastern Region, Northern Federation, Northwestern Region, Southern Region and the Southwestern Region.

The seventh region is not judicially recognized as a federal region in Arbingria, instead it is a collection of the territories that so far did not gain any federal status as a state.

States of Arbingria
Number on the map	Name	Capital	Region
1	Grand Hastings	Vermilion City	Northwestern
2	Charleston	Orange	Northwestern
3	Chesterbury	Psalmstrel	Northwestern
4	Aggreviny	Tampton	Northwestern
5	St. Lawrence's Ville	Olbeit	Central Highlands
6	Fort Jonasvale	Lanmouth	Southwestern
7	Mount Oswaldberg	Hawkshill	Southwestern
8	New Poundwing	Allansborough	Northeastern
9	Habrigton	Kentbottom	Southwestern
10	Sterling Fantry	Olde Mill	Southwestern
11	Southern New Arianasol	Urtthornia	Southwestern
12	New Port Castles	Kirstlenville	Southern
13	Anborough	Port Bedsmountain	Southwestern
14	Port Castles	Granthouse	Southern
15	Lancaster	Shelby Front Isle	Southern
16	Noribian Sea State	Stanford City	Southern
17	Engelsfield Front	Townsvilla	Southern
18	Hammerford Valley	Stratburgh	Northeastern
19	Gantrick Valley	Grotto of St. Patrick	Northeastern
20	Old Yellow River Valley	Lindsenberg	Northeastern
21	East Flowerden	Hanover	Northern Federation
22	Flowerden	Dorinthopolis	Northern Federation
23	Upper Clayvania	Devon	Central Highlands
24	Windcaster	Windcaster City	Northern Federation
25	Mapleburgh	Baldshire Havenry	Northern Federation
26	Ambos Germania	Brookowich	Central Highlands
27	Lower Clayvania	North Irondale	Central Highlands
28	Rosston	Blumingdale	Northwestern

Territories

Though collectively known as the "seventh federal region", the territories of Arbingria are clustered altogether forming an additional bureau under the Ministry of Federal Affairs known as the Arbingrian Commonwealth of Teritorries or simply Commonwealth. Currently, there are four territories that are administered by the Commonwealth.

Arbingrian Commonwealth of Teritorries
Name	Capital
Gonzales Island	disputed between San Miguel City and Arum Estuaries
Nashbor Islands	Port Plymouth
New Canatuly	Camp Perryscroft
Rumpard Villegas	Fodoligio Rosales

History

Main article: History of Arbingria

Politics and government

Main article: Politics and government of Arbingria

File:Louis vii of arbingria.jpg

The first monarch of the House of Geriasarch, Louis VII. (reigned: 1823-1842; life: 1768-1842)

File:Louis xi of arbingria.jpg

Louis XI (reigned: 2009- ; life: 1976- ), the 10th and current monarch.

Based upon the 1824 Constitution of Arbingria, the country is a constitutional monarchy with federal government system. The monarch institution, which was perpetually established since the coming of the first civilizations in the Arbingria, was almost fell into dismay and abyss but was instantly saved by ta number of commissioning Magna Cartas (1371, 1445,1567, 1600) and ratified constitutions (1689, 1812, 1824, 1949). At present, the monarch institution was generally in ceremonial power, and the country was jointly ruled by the Prime Minister and the Parliament

The monarch institution

File:Royal coat of arms of arbingria.jpg

Royal coat of arms: Coat of arms officially used by Louis VII in 1827, until present. Through history, dynasties used different coat of arms and emblems.

Though ceremonial in nature, the monarch institution is the greatly established and has firm foundation through other institution on Arbingrian politics. The highest noble on the monarch institution is the King (or Queen), who assumes the title King of the Arbingian Republic, Emperor of Nashbor Islands and Rumpard Villegas and Lord Protector of New Canatuly and Gonzales. The king/queen is traditionally the first male on the royal family, which was changed efficiently in 1781 when there was no male in the family to become the heir apparent. Usually, the king opens the Parliament session and gives the royal paole among lifetime prisoners. Apart from the absence of the Prime Minister, the king is the second commander-in-chief of the armed forces and is the most respected person in the monarch institution. In ceremony and practice, the king exercises sovereignty to the mainland nation as well as on the country's territories.

File:Arbingria Imperial emblem.jpg

Imperial Emblem: Officially used in 1879, the Imperial Emblem was first iterated by Joseph IV.

Even in other nations, emperors are considered the absolute ruler, the Emperor (or Empress) is also a ceremonial figurehead that was usually though to become a symbol of unity and peace among Arbingrian states. The emperor, which must be a member of the Arbingrian nobility, and holding the title of a duke (or duchess) or count (or countess). The emperor could also be the king (or queen) on its reign, pre-regnal period, or on his/her post-reign (per abdication) of the throne. The emperor could also be the Prince (or Princess) or Arbingia. In general, an emperor must be a member of the any distinguished royal family or household at least.

In contrast with the dynastic line of the kings, the emperor is elected by the Electoral College for the Emperor, and with an initial term of six years. If ever the emperor's term coincided with the death of the reigning king/queen, the emperor's reign will also be substantially ended, wherefore the replacing emperor will have the same start of reign with the new monarch.

Next in line are the dukes (or duchesses) and count (or countesses). Significantly before the creation of the modern republic, the dukes ruled the provinces as well as the cities. On the other had, counts governed mainly municipalities. Before until 1812, villages were ruled by the viscounts (or viscountess) and barons (or baroness). Today, dukes and counts only has the same ceremonial powers, as if their traditional roles were replaced by modern-day state governors, city and municipality mayors.

The monarch institution has its own congress of ministers, as such called as the Royal Ministry. The offices that occupy the Royal Ministry is congruent to the offices by the Cabinet Ministries, and the highest member of the Royal Ministry tends to be the Royal Minister, which is also the head of the Ministry of the Royal Family of the Cabinet. Before 1824, the present Prime Minister's office and the present Royal Minister's office is only one, where the Royal Minister tends only to give advices to the King. After the ratification of the Constitution, the Royal Minister's office was dissolved, giving way to the modern Prime Ministerial office. Then, by late 1847, the Royal Ministry was officially re-created, patterned after the newly-formed Cabinet.

National government

File:Ferdinand joseph dorset.jpg

Ferdinand Jospeh Dorset (NUC) from Upper Clayvania, is the 49th Prime Minister of Arbingria. He assumed office in January 5, 2009.

The highest political office in the land is the Prime Minister's office. If the king and the emperor are considers the heads of state and symbols for peace and unity, the Prime Minister serves as the head of government. In short, the Prime Minister is the chief executive and also heads the Parliamentary Branch.

Falling under the Prime Minister's office is the Vice Prime Minister or Vice Premier. The Vice Premier counteracts and checks the balances of the national government. He is second of the line in succession in case the Prime Minister dies, resigned or removed from the office. The Prime Minister is elected by through representative voting by a group of representatives from each state, amongst a specific time which varies. On the other hand, the Vice Premier may be a member of the party in which the Prime Minister belongs, or a senator elected by the Parliament.

Under these offices, there are three chambers that making up the Parliament of Arbingria, and another attached chamber that members the Parliament only under special circumstances. The first is the Cabinet Ministries, which was expected to be a intervening chamber except for lawmaking and adjustments to the Constitution. Currently, there are eighteen ministries emerged from the original 15 ministries fixed by the 1974 General Rehabilitation Act:

• Ministry of Agriculture and Reform
• Ministry of Civil Services and National Utilities
• Ministry of Education
• Ministry of the Executive
• Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Administration
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Communications
• Ministry of Health and Humanitarian Services
• Ministry of Justice
• Ministry of Labor and Employment
• Minister to the Parliament
• Ministry of National Defense
• Ministry of Natural Resources and Wildlife Preservation
• Ministry of Public, Waterworks and Organization
• Office of the Royal Minister
• Ministry of Science Development
• Ministry of Trade, Industry and Finance
• Ministry of Transportation and Communication
• Ministry of Tourism

Next, is the National Senate Assembly of Arbingria. The Senate is headed by the Senate President, chosen among the 32 senators from each states and territories. Each state has its own state senator, elected through direct voting and has a tenure of six years. On the other hand, the territorial senator was not only elected through direct voting, but candidacy was approved by the Commonwealth. The Senate is considered to be the the upper chamber of the Parliament.

The third chamber is the House of Representatives of Arbingria. It is composed of 360 members which has a tenure of three years. The head of the House is the House Speaker, which was also chosen among the congressmen. Each state has its own set of representatives, 12, voted directly, whereas the territories has six each. The House, on the other hand, is the lower chamber of the Parliament.

The fourth attached chamber is the Council of States. It is a collection of all the states and territories of Arbingria, which has limited to one representative per state/territory. Cities can also have their own representatives but must pass the Council's standards. The Council has its own sessions, which may discuss issues concerning federal affairs, and when called or requested to be called by the Parliament, may intervene with the lawmaking affairs, too.

Second branch of the government is the Judicial Branch or Judiciary. It is headed by the Lord Chief Justice, which was appointed by the King upon recommendation of the Prime Minister and Parliament. He essentially heads the Supreme Court, and functions as the main translator of the Constitution.

Under the Supreme Court is the Court of Tax and Legal Appeals, Court of Religious Affairs and the federal court circuits.