Talk:Nancy Pelosi

Article Poorly Written

The grammar and sentance structure in this article is some of the worst I've seen on Wikipedia. Someone needs to do some editing work. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 142.59.195.69 (talk) 18:44, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

Do you have any specific suggestions for improvement? --Loonymonkey (talk) 21:12, 8 January 2008 (UTC)

Let's see. Unsigned, and whoever it is can't even spell "sentence" correctly. I found nothing wrong with the grammar or sentence structure in the foregoing article. 66.104.254.34 (talk) 02:29, 7 February 2008 (UTC)ToddABearSF

Well, if think sentence is spelled sentance then you're probably likely to find numerous errors :P Apocryphite (talk) 15:01, 13 February 2008 (UTC)

• • • • • • PLEASE CORRECT**********

Pelosi is second in line to the presidency after vice president *Dick Cheney*, not clayton kirk. D. Brenner 2008 —Preceding unsigned comment added by 66.83.84.219 (talk) 10:51, 1 August 2008 (UTC)

No reason for recently added "Koran" photo.

A photo was recently added with the caption "Pelosi swears in Rep. Keith Ellison of Minnesota with the Qur'an once owned by Thomas Jefferson." The has nothing to do with her leadership position (she swore him in, as well as every other freshman congressman). Why was that specific swearing-in chosen and why does it need to be explained that it was a Koran? The photo and description has nothing to do with Pelosi and everything to do with Ellison. Thus, it seems to exist solely with the intention of attaching Pelosi to the controversy surrounding Ellison (which makes it non-NPOV). --Loonymonkey (talk) 21:10, 8 January 2008 (UTC)

I have no comment except to say that Pelosi is pictured in a historic ceremonial role at least if not more so than some of the other photos here. You could consider looking for a free photo of something you find significant during the past number of years rather than remove one I think is both a good quality image and a relief from images of male persons in such roles. Best wishes. -Susanlesch (talk) 21:14, 8 January 2008 (UTC)

I agree with your last point. I was wondering why the image of Ellison was chosen over one of the other 30 or so Freshman that were sworn in that day, and why it was necessary to call attention to Ellison's choice of the Koran in Pelosi's article. What does that have to do with Pelosi? --Loonymonkey (talk) 21:36, 8 January 2008 (UTC)

Maybe the caption could be improved. Would you give it a try? For what it's worth, if I remember correctly this ceremony appeared on Wikipedia's home page in the news column—unlike other swearings in—because Rep. Ellison was the first Muslim any state of the US ever elected to Congress, including both House and Senate. -Susanlesch (talk) 21:53, 8 January 2008 (UTC)

Which indicates it's significance to Ellison and religion in America, not Pelosi. Pairadox (talk) 21:54, 8 January 2008 (UTC)

I guess someone "had to be there" and Ms. Pelosi did the honors. Cheers. -Susanlesch (talk) 21:58, 8 January 2008 (UTC)

There are really too many pics in the article already, but since Susanlesch seems determined to have this one anyway (to the point of reverting another editor) I've simply changed the caption. Pairadox (talk) 22:08, 8 January 2008 (UTC)

30 or so freshmen sworn in and we just happen to use the one with the Koran? I don't buy it. The photo should be removed. R. Baley (talk) 22:13, 8 January 2008 (UTC)

Thank you Pairadox. As with any image, as I add and subtract them often, if the images in this article are reviewed in the future, say for a maturity level improvement, it is okay in advance from me to remove or move this one. No I wouldn't say I am "determined" at all but I do like the photo! Good grief. Best wishes. -Susanlesch (talk) 22:15, 8 January 2008 (UTC)

It's a pretty historically significant event, but not in context of Pelosi; I'd suggest that it be moved to a more prominent place in Ellison's article. (Too many of him campaigning in that article anyway.) :D Pairadox (talk) 22:18, 8 January 2008 (UTC)

Oh boy, more photos of staffers on the phone, coming right up. Only kidding. -Susanlesch (talk) 22:20, 8 January 2008 (UTC)

Time when she wanted a different airplane

I read the article and was surprised as it didn't make a mention of her wanting a 747. I think we should make a note of this as part of her speaker for the house section. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.4.149.231 (talk) 05:26, 30 January 2008 (UTC)

You have your facts wrong. It wasn't a 747 and the House sergeant-at-arms requested it for her for security reasons. Look at this news article for more info. Pairadox (talk) 05:40, 30 January 2008 (UTC)

Ron Pelosi

Ron Pelosi deserves his own article. He is Madame Speaker's brother-in-law, a former President of the Board of Supervisors of the City and County of San Francisco, an owner of an automobile dealership, and a then-frequent personality on the local educational television station, KQED-TV. The Pelosi family constitutes a dynasty in SF politics (as do the Alioto family). He may be dead now.--Ace Telephone (talk) 05:08, 14 February 2008 (UTC)

Why do Wiki-facists discourage verifiable truth?

How about the Wiki-facists, who have absolute control over content and essentially vandalize (wholesale removal of contributions) pages in an exercise of their unchecked power over this forum, just keep their politics at home. This should be a medium containing verifiable facts, not your personal selection of cherry-picked gems.

I have tried to contribute to Pelosi's record, but the usual Wiki-facists discourage such things. And now you've gone and blocked the page from further edits (facism at its finest).

(My contribution)

Pelosi opposes 2nd Amendment rights of American Citizens. She has voted to restrict the ownership of firearms and concealed weapons by American Citizens. She believes that gun manufacturers should be held responsible for the (mis)use of guns. The NRA has given her an F rating, indicating a strongly anti-gun stance.

None of that edit is a POV. All are verifyable facts. All extend reader's knowledge of Pelosi. The only reason for your vandalism of this edit is that its an inconvenient truth for you.

Now carry on with your book burning while reading your copies of Mein Kampf. Sieg Heil.—Preceding unsigned comment added by Adamrock (talk • contribs) 05:56, February 15, 2008

The source you provided was a broken link. I checked the correct URL at Project Vote Smart, and predictably, the language you used in the statement was nowhere to be found in the source. Statements as broad as the first sentence in your version must be sourced. I also see nothing in the Vote Smart voting record that supports your statement about her voting to restrict concealed weapons, so that also would have to be sourced. The only portion of your version that is not challengeable is that she has voted to restrict the ownership of firearms, but I believe that is implicit in the current version's statement that she is strongly pro-gun control. If you wish to add it to reinforce the point, please feel free. --Sfmammamia (talk) 17:20, 15 February 2008 (UTC)

Categories

Understand why the article was protected, despite claims of "facism" (sic). Unfortunately this makes it difficult for random wanderers to clean up stuff. Anyhow, this article should be added to Category:American women in politics. The category listings themselves should be looked at - she is in a bizarre set of them at the moment (compare other modern political figure categories for context). Thanks! 162.84.182.53 (talk) 06:03, 18 February 2008 (UTC)

Pelosi family

I'm skeptical that Pelosi's mother's name is spelled "Anunciata." In Italian it would be spelled "Annunziata." [My guess is that's where the name "Nancy" comes from -- an anglicized nickname for Annunziata.]

I checked Pelosi's own Congressional webpage (www.speaker.house.gov), but could find no reference to her mother there.

Djgibboni (talk) 12:37, 21 February 2008 (UTC)djgibboni

HRC wording

Is it not more neutral to say; "she voted in agreement with the HRC's pro-gay legislative support", than; "she voted in agreement with the HRC's pro-gay legislative agenda". I think the word agenda sounds a bit too strong. gr8lyknow

In my view, "agenda" is a perfectly legitimate, neutral word in an issues-oriented context. I changed it because "pro-gay" and "support" seemed redundant to me. How about "HRC's slate of pro-gay legislative issues"? --Sfmammamia (talk) 20:16, 30 March 2008 (UTC)

Agreed I think that sounds better gr8lyknow —Preceding comment was added at 15:46, 31 March 2008 (UTC)

Done. --Sfmammamia (talk) 17:11, 31 March 2008 (UTC)

Survey

WP:Good article usage is a survey of the language and style of Wikipedia editors in articles being reviewed for Good article nomination. It will help make the experience of writing Good Articles as non-threatening and satisfying as possible if all the participating editors would take a moment to answer a few questions for us, in this section please. The survey will end on April 30.

• Would you like any additional feedback on the writing style in this article?

• If you write a lot outside of Wikipedia, what kind of writing do you do?

• Is your writing style influenced by any particular WikiProject or other group on Wikipedia?

At any point during this review, let us know if we recommend any edits, including markup, punctuation and language, that you feel don't fit with your writing style. Thanks for your time. - Dan Dank55 (talk)(mistakes) 03:28, 21 April 2008 (UTC)

special powers

Aren't true and should not be added to this article. --Rodhullandemu (Talk) 10:31, 21 April 2008 (UTC)

GA fail

I'm sorry to inform the editors of this article that I am failing it for the following reasons:

• Per WP:LEAD, I believe that this article's lead she be four full paragraphs summarizing all the main points of the article.
• There are a lot of sections with only one or two sentences. Could sections be combined so the article doesn't look so choppy? Especially under Political positions and voting record, maybe the sub-headers should be eliminated altogether? This is just a suggestion.
• Thomas L. J. D'Alesandro III, one of her five brothers, also served as Mayor of Baltimore from 1967 to 1971. needs a citation
• In Early life and career, http://www.house.gov/pelosi/prGeorgetown051802.htm needs to be turned into a footnote.
• The third and fourth paragraphs under Early life and career need citations.
• Are Family life and Financial status really part of her early life and career? They seem more current to me. Perhaps that should be moved to a new section about her more recent personal life.
• Family needs citations.
• Pelosi won the special election to succeed her, narrowly defeating San Francisco Supervisor Harry Britt, and took office on June 2, 1987. needs a citation for "narrowly defeating"
• Pelosi represents one of the safest Democratic districts in the country. ref?
• Democratic Party leadership needs citations.
• The first paragraph of Blocking of impeachment proceedings against Bush needs citations.
• On November 16, 2006, Pelosi was unanimously chosen as the Democratic candidate for Speaker, effectively making her Speaker-elect. ref?
• With her election, Pelosi became the first woman, the first Californian and the first Italian-American to hold the Speakership. She is also the second Speaker from a state west of the Rocky Mountains. ref?
• Pelosi has also come under fire from Democratic activists for not being aggressive enough in confronting Bush, despite the president's low approval ratings. ref?
• The Hundred Hours' second paragraph needs citations.
• 2007 trip to Israel and Syria needs more refs, especially for the quote.
• She felt that it would be inappropriate for her to be a member of any caucuses. ref?
• Nonetheless, she has never faced a serious challenger in the Democratic primary. ref? especially for calling none of them "serious"
• Immigration has a "citation needed" tag
• "This is about the Constitution," Pelosi said. "It is about this Congress asserting its right to declare war when we are fully aware what the challenges are to us. It is about respecting the United Nations and a multilateral approach, which is safer for our troops." ref?
• The Footnotes need to be cleaned up and formatted. Template:cite web should help with that.
• In my opinion, the article has too many pictures and looks cluttered. Try and cut down to pictures that contribute something to the article only. Just random pictures of her (like the one of her in the red shirt under Speaker of the House) don't add anything to the article.

Because the main issue is sourcing, and it probably will take more that one week to fix all of this, I'm going to fail the article. Feel free to renominate when everything is addressed. Thanks. Nikki311 01:21, 5 May 2008 (UTC)

Update

Needs to be MAJORLY updated. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Hawk08210 (talk • contribs) 16:05, 3 July 2008 (UTC)

Why is she called Italian-American, she was born in Baltimore, not in Italy? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 99.154.151.253 (talk) 22:24, 11 July 2008 (UTC)

Her Religion

Unlike some zealots in here, I think it makes sense more debate about her religious beliefs. What does she have to do with the Catholic Church, really ? She supports abortion, partial birth abortion, gay marriage. For some reason there´s a single atheist or agnostic in american Congress, in a country with 14 % of atheists and agnostics[1]. More americans would vote for a gay then for an atheist President. In Europe there are plenty of atheist and agnostic politicians. Could she be elected if she was an assumed non religious people ? Remember there´s not a single atheist as american governor or presidential candidate.81.193.191.71 (talk) 15:49, 13 July 2008 (UTC)

People who aren´t from USA need to understand that in this country to be a catholic or a jew is like an ethnic statement, like being italian-american or polish-american. It wouldn´t be politically correct at all for a politician to state that he´s not a religious person. Only a very courageous american politician would assume openly that he´s an atheist or an agnostic, for fear of losing many votes in such a "religious" country. This explains how it´s more politically correct to be religious, even if it´s hard to believe in their genuine faith, based in some of their statements, who often seem to be quite against his religion, then to be an atheist or agnostic. This explains why many american politicians like to present themself as religious, since it´s believed to be more acceptable for this country political mentality. There are some non religious american politicians, very few, like Henry Kissinger, an agnostic, and Jessie Ventura, an atheist. We can also blame american Catholic Church political correctness, since they think it´s more acceptable to be a fake catholic then a true atheist, since they don´t even excommunicate the so called catholics who support partial-birth abortion, that´s a form of infanticide. Anyway, this debate belongs more to the "Catholicism and American Politics" and "Descrimination Against Atheists" articles.81.193.189.248 (talk) 21:20, 20 July 2008 (UTC)

Therefore?

I realize this is possibly a minor point, although I don't know how minor, which is why I am asking.

She is therefore the highest ranking woman in United States government history.

"Therefore" seems to add undue skepticism to the claim. If no one objects I'll change it to:

She is the highest ranking woman in United States government history.

But I am in no rush, so I am open to argument the other way. --Mr. Bergstrom (talk) 14:58, 31 July 2008 (UTC)

I think the "therefore" was/is an attempt to link the sentence to the one that precedes it. I've made a bold edit to suggest a more graceful way to do this. --Sfmammamia (talk) 16:15, 31 July 2008 (UTC)

That works for me, and still connects the two sentences. Thanks for responding. --Mr. Bergstrom (talk) 16:29, 31 July 2008 (UTC)

Pardon me, I am a noob here. Doesn't a statement like that violate some rule like RECENTISM since it will become false at some point? Doesn't it need some clarifier like "As of 2008,"? Thanks. --Rrand (talk) 20:41, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

No, recentism doesn't really apply as it is historical fact and it is likely to be several years before that statement becomes obsolete (at which time we would change "is" to "was."). Statements such as "As of 2008..." are unnecessary as it's generally assumed that the encyclopedia is current anyway. --Loonymonkey (talk) 21:23, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

Water Resources Development Act controversy

I was wondering if anyone was willing to write something about the Water Resources Development Act, in which a $25 million contract was awarded to Speaker Pelosi's husband's company. Also, does anyone disagree there should be some mention of it, and if so why not? I am willing to write it but i want to see some consensus that it belongs on this page. Thanks for any input. Cwagmire (talk) 06:36, 3 August 2008 (UTC)

The notability and verifiability of this issue is not at all clear. Where did you read about it? --Loonymonkey (talk) 18:23, 3 August 2008 (UTC)

I found it at http://www.nationalledger.com/cgi-bin/artman/exec/view.cgi?archive=12&num=13343, and at http://www.judicialwatch.org/judicial-watch-announces-list-washington-s-ten-most-wanted-corrupt-politicians-2007, along with several other websites such as cagw.org. The reason I was cautious about putting it in is Judicial Watch is a conservative group, but I believe there is merit since cagw.org is considered by many to be far less partisan than many other political organizations. I also found the text of the bill in it's entirety, and it includes a the earmark but I would need other sources to show where it goes and who benefits from it. If it would help, I could gather information and link to it here so everyone can see all the info, and then decide if it is credible enough to go in this page. And just fyi, I am incredibly conservative and as such figured it wiser to at least present the idea here before writing it, and if I do write it I would use only facts and try to represent both sides. Cwagmire (talk) 03:41, 4 August 2008 (UTC)

I'm going to give it a few more days, and if there is no debate or opposition by 7 August 2008, I'm going to write it. If that sparks some discussion we can see where it takes us. Cwagmire (talk) 06:34, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

There are two problems with the sources you provide. They aren't up to the reliable source standards and an editorial mention in those sources does not rise to the level of notability. On verifiability, they are simply internet-published editorial opinions (there isn't any need to argue whether they are "blogs" or not as the term is so subjective) so they would fail the basic WP:RS requirements (and this being a biography of a living person, the bar is set even higher). It would need to have appeared in several actual news sources (major newspapers or news magazines, network news, etc.) to be considered reliably sourced. As for notability, it's a similar problem. Just because some websites editorialized about it, doesn't mean it's notable enough to appear in the biography article. It would have to be a real issue, actually reported on, which required some level of response. This is just some sort of editorial speculation from over a year ago that never went anywhere and reading through the articles, doesn't appear to have much substance. Are we really supposed to believe that the ports of San Francisco are being redeveloped simply because of a vague notion that property values several blocks away will possibly rise? There doesn't seem to be any evidence to support this. --Loonymonkey (talk) 18:26, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

I know of at least 3 newspapers that printed a story about this, as well as reports on The O'Reilly Factor, and Hannity and Colmes. The reason I was asking here is because I was unsure if it belonged on Speaker Pelosi's biographical page, which I believe it does based on issues I have seen on other biographical pages. If there is strong and reasonably argued disagreement to this, however, I will not pursue it since I have only started editing on Wikipedia after spending some time contributing where I could on other websites. I have started compiling sources, articles, and facts regarding this issue and should be finished in the next couple days (which is why i tentatively said 7 August 2008 above). I will present the main points on the talk page before taking any action on the Speakers article. I would also like input on whether or not this "controversy" (assuming the sources are up to Wikipedia's standards upon further inspection) would merit the creation of a new page instead of being placed on the Speakers biographical one. Again I am rather new here and would like any suggestions I can get to try and reach a consensus before I decide whether or not to move forward with this issue. Cwagmire (talk) 19:42, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

Go ahead and write it for sure Cwagmire. Even if you have an incomplete draft, as long as you source it well, we can improve it and then add it into the article carefully. NuclearWarfare ^{contact me}_{My work} 04:06, 7 August 2008 (UTC)

No, you're ignoring the fundamental point that it isn't notable to the biography. It was a brief editorial criticism from a year ago that never went anywhere (and there isn't any evidence to back up the accusation). Adding it would be a violation of WP:BLP. --Loonymonkey (talk) 18:29, 7 August 2008 (UTC)

Energy!?

Pelosi turned off the lights on the Republicans who refused to leave Washington on vacation without getting a vote on drilling! Where is a section on her energy policy?