Talk:Reid Stowe

Same old, same old, ad nauseam

Stowe's overdue child support (subsequently paid) and his conviction on a marijuana charge roughly 20 years ago, have been the subject of extensive discussions in at least 3 sections of the archived page, [[1]] [[2]] [[3]] and again, exactly the same material has been dredged up by Regatta Dog ad nauseam here on this page.

Child support "subsequently paid"? Can you provide a source for that? If not, you can't claim it. I know it is true, but without a source, it can't be claimed here. How do you know it was paid? Did any other reliable source confirm your assertion? Neutral editors, like your self, should not make unsubstantiated claims. Neutral editor that you are, I'm sure you can find, via Google, a link with the State of NY. Link it.............if that's now acceptableRegatta dog (talk) 01:41, 13 June 2010 (UTC)

For the record, a total of 5 out of 7 (sorry, 4 out of 6 )editors opposed inclusion of any reference to the marijuana conviction citing Presumption in favor of privacy - Avoid victimization. [[4]] However, on May 7, 2010 Regatta Dog added marijuana related material to the article ignoring consensus. [[5]]

Here's the real story updated:

Feb 22, 2008 Regatta Dog is named as a contributor to a tabloid piece by journalist Adam Nichols. Nichols actually names Regatta Dog as a source in the article. [6]

March 2, 2008 Regatta Dog takes highly critical material from the tabloid article to which he contributed and inserts it into the Wikipedia article. He attempts to cover his tracks with a misleading, unlinked citation. [7]

May have incorrectly inserted the cite, but not for the reason you suggest. I was citing directly from the hard copy NYDN before the article was available on line. Regatta dog (talk) 19:33, 14 June 2010 (UTC)

March 1, 2008 Regatta Dog publishes, "Reid Stowe is a Deadbeat Dad" on his blog.

March 10, 2008 Regatta Dog updates his blog with reference to the next Adam Nichols tabloid article. The tabloid headline quotes Regatta Dog's blog referring to Stowe as a "Deadbeat Dad." Could Regatta Dog's influence over journalist Adam Nichols be any more obvious?

Nichols' "Deadbeat Dad" article is almost certainly actionable. In fact, the "state" made no such claim about Stowe. The article is, therefore, defamatory. If I were Stowe, I'd be looking for a good lawyer.

Wikipedia is not the place to rehash hyperbolic, tabloid bunkum. Regatta Dog's unethical actions have rendered those articles unusable as sources in any case. We have been through this before. Enough is enough!--Zanthorp (talk) 16:58, 9 June 2010 (UTC)

Here we have an editor of Wikipedia making a statement that a reputable reporter with a reputable media outlet, claiming that an article written about the subject is "almost certainly actionable"? Your credentials to make that claim? A member of his own shore team was quoted in the article all but admitting the claim made by the paper. Perhaps he should be served at the same time as Nichols and the NY Daily News.

If you truly think that the author and his newspaper are "tabloid bunkum", I look forward to your discussion topic regarding the New York Daily News and removing each and every reference; or perhaps I should challenge them myself based on your very own arguments. The article would be cut by a third. Regatta dog (talk) 04:35, 10 June 2010 (UTC)

Well-spoken, Zanthorp! As you said, we have no need to rehash the debate, as the majority view is clear, on these issues. As for the article, "This page is currently protected from editing until June 25, 2010 or until disputes have been resolved." I suppose that the disputes might never be resolved, given the stubbornness of certain editors to reinsert defamatory material, so the article may have to be submitted for mediation at the administrative level, before June 25. Skol fir (talk) 17:30, 9 June 2010 (UTC)

The majority view consists of two staunch supporters of the subject of the BLP and one editor that drops in and provides them encouragement from time to time. I am a staunch supporter of the integrity of Wikipedia, and there are a couple other editors that chime in who don't want this article to be another marketing tool for the subject and his marketeers. There are a whole 5 or 6 people involved in this discussion? The majority view is not clear.

I understand that Mr. Stowe will be arriving before the 25, but as impartial editors, what is the rush to have this resolved? Impartial implies you're more interested in the truth than rushing to make changes and get them on the web, right?

By the way - I have never gone into so much depth about the subject's prison time or child support issues. The information you presented as facts, but are not confirmable by a reliable outside source may be true, but as your source appears to be either personal knowledge or a blog, they do not belong here. Please try and refrain from that in future, and please don't try and have this discussion archived to hide your "defamatory" statements about a subject of a BLP.

I look forward to discussing this at an administrative level. Regatta dog (talk) 04:35, 10 June 2010 (UTC)

Well, your last edits to the article again resulted in the article being fully protected and you appear to have a clear citable conflict of interest and have inserted external media into the article that you were involved in so it imo is better if you refrain from again editing the article. It would also be better if you could stop repeating and posting here on the talkpage issues that have been repeatedly discussed and rejected for inclusion in the article, thanks. Off2riorob (talk) 09:43, 10 June 2010 (UTC)

IMO, Regatta Dog's being interviewed by NYDN is no different than Stowe's team sending out "press releases" and then using the resulting articles as a reference. If those are removed as well, not much of an entry of this subject would remain at all. Aloha27 (talk) 16:52, 10 June 2010 (UTC)

Members of Stowe's team, if there are any then they shouldn't edit the article either. Press releases, well we need perhaps an update but independent reports are what we want, lets have a look at the article if you think there is promotional content then we can look to remove it. What are the promotional citations and content? Off2riorob (talk) 18:54, 10 June 2010 (UTC)

Adam Nichols, as a reporter for the NY Daily News, with an editorial board, is a reliable source.

If the article in the NYDN about the subject's back child support is "tabloid" journalism, then all cites to the NYDN should be killed. Simple - - One cannot challenge a source's situational credibility. Regatta dog (talk) 02:54, 13 June 2010 (UTC)

Aloha27, I am getting tired of having to repeat myself, since you obviously choose to ignore or have not read my previous submissions here. May I repeat this for your benefit, since you seem to have missed my statement about subjects writing about themselves and using their own blogs. Furthermore, some of the information on Reid Stowe's official site is "second-party", since other people have written about him, and even "third-party", written by sources not connected to Reid Stowe. So for your benefit... grab yourself a cup of coffee and relax... here it is again...

Interesting that the links to "Expedition News" disappeared. Regatta dog (talk) 02:54, 13 June 2010 (UTC)

On that point, and for your information, I quote from various sections of Wikipedia Policies:

• All self-published sources, whether experts or not, are considered reliable as sources on themselves, especially in articles about themselves, subject to certain criteria, though no article should be based primarily on such sources (see below)

-from the article on Verifiability (WP:V)

• the views of tiny minorities should not be included at all.

• Remove immediately any contentious material about a living person that is unsourced or poorly sourced; that is a conjectural interpretation of a source (see No original research); that relies on self-published sources, unless written by the subject of the BLP

• Never use self-published sources—including but not limited to books, zines, websites, blogs, or tweets—as sources of material about a living person, unless written or published by the subject (see below)..."Self-published blogs" in this context refers to personal and group blogs. Some news organizations host online columns that they call blogs, and these may be acceptable as sources so long as the writers are professionals and the blog is subject to the newspaper's full editorial control. Posts left by readers are never acceptable as sources.[4]

• Questionable sources are those with a poor reputation for checking the facts, or with no editorial oversight. Such sources include websites and publications expressing views that are widely acknowledged as extremist, or promotional, or which rely heavily on rumor and personal opinion.

• Wikipedia contains biographical material on people who, while notable enough for an entry, are not generally well known. In such cases, exercise restraint and include only material relevant to their notability, focusing on high quality secondary sources. Material published by the subject may be used, but with caution; see above. Material that may adversely affect a person's reputation should be treated with special care; in many countries repeating defamatory claims is actionable, and there is additional protection for people who are not public figures.

-from the article on BLPs (WP:BLP)

Skol fir (talk) 19:05, 10 June 2010 (UTC)

It does not matter - As long as it is well sourced (unlike your claims above), the burden falls on the source. If there's a link to a reputable source -- like the NYDN, Wikipedia is fine. Regatta dog (talk) 02:54, 13 June 2010 (UTC)

And this is the Wikipedia Policy which troubles me the most. (Underline mine)

"Such sources include websites and publications expressing views that are widely acknowledged as extremist, or promotional, or which rely heavily on rumor and personal opinion." Aloha27 (talk) 01:33, 11 June 2010 (UTC)

The definition of "Questionable sources" that you quoted above is an expanded part of another section in the WP:BLP page, which you also need to read:

• Questionable sources and external links

Material available solely in questionable sources should not be used anywhere in the article, including in "Further reading" or "External links" sections. External links about living persons in BLPs and elsewhere are judged by a stricter standard than for other articles."

This is one reason for banning sites such as "Reid Stowe...Reality Check" and "1000 Days of Hell" from a BLP. This rule only applies to sources that are not written or published by the subject, as the subject obviously concurs with information published on his behalf. This rule does not apply to web sites supporting or promoting the subject, as these are exempted by the first rule I listed above, "All self-published sources, whether experts or not, are considered reliable as sources on themselves, especially in articles about themselves, subject to certain criteria, though no article should be based primarily on such sources."

Sorry. Didn't realize Wikipedia was a place where anyone can post an autobiography. Regatta dog (talk) 02:54, 13 June 2010 (UTC)

So, as long as other sources are also referenced to describe the subject of this biography, there is nothing in the Rules for a BLP that prohibits using self-promoting sites as such. See this section of the WP:BLP...

• Living persons may publish material about themselves, such as through press releases or personal websites. Such material may be used as a source only if:

1. it is not unduly self-serving;

2. it does not involve claims about third parties;

3. it does not involve claims about events not directly related to the subject;

4. there is no reasonable doubt as to its authenticity;

5. the article is not based primarily on such sources.

Self serving? Yes. Doubts as to authenticity - gosh yes. Article based on such sources - heck yeah.

Three out of five ain't bad. The article should be scrapped. Regatta dog (talk) 02:54, 13 June 2010 (UTC)

The website for "1000 Days at Sea" meets all of these requirements. For example, for #1, it is impossible to be unduly self-serving, when the site is created and managed by a "second party" (not the subject). For # 2, no claims are made about third parties on this site. It is solely created to describe only one of the many endeavors of Reid Stowe, and does not claim anything new about other parties not related to this project. The last three points are self-evident.

Skol fir (talk) 00:50, 12 June 2010 (UTC)

A second party? Like a fan club where Justin Bieber just dumps his website onto Wiki? Sorry, Skol fir. I don't buy that concept. It may be great for Justin, but it doesn't work for Wiki. I have read the rules about BLP's, and I appreciate your efforts. Regatta dog (talk) 02:54, 13 June 2010 (UTC)

Conflict of interest: COI can be difficult to substantiate. Last year, a very experienced administrator filed a COI claim against an editor who was working on the same article that I was attempting to edit. The claim failed. However, in this case, I agree with Off2riorob's comments above, and all things considered, I think a COI submission would probably be worthwhile. --Zanthorp (talk) 07:32, 12 June 2010 (UTC)

I would suggest, quite simply, that there are a few editors here who are either on the subject's shore team or part of his new PR firm. Simple math -- this Wiki page doesn't get a lot of hits. Probably even less than the Subject's own web page. For "neutral" wiki editor to spend as much time and effort.... well ...I have my doubts.

We Wiki editors do not appreciate you using Wikipedia as a promotional tool. Buy an add from Google. Regatta dog (talk) 02:54, 13 June 2010 (UTC)

Moving on: Improving the article by paraphrasing

Concern has been expressed that the tone of this article is too promotional. Much of that can be remedied by paraphrasing quotes. It also helps to reduce the length of the article, For example, rather than quote Jon Sanders we can paraphrase his comments as follows:

After boarding the vessel, Jon Sanders stated that the Anne looked seaworthy but would not break any records. He conceded, however, that Stowe could break his (Sander's) record for the longest time spent at sea continuously without resupply.

Please note that this is offered only as an example. Suggestions for alternative wordings are most welcome. Does anyone have any objection to this approach? --Zanthorp (talk) 08:00, 12 June 2010 (UTC)

Looks fine to me, the article is imo also a little bloated and trimming quotes is a good start. Off2riorob (talk) 08:09, 12 June 2010 (UTC)

I could live with that. Aloha27 (talk) 11:27, 12 June 2010 (UTC)

I agree with the approach, and that the article needs some trimming. It might help to give it the balance we are looking for, without too much self-promoting language. I would start with the first sentence, that sounds like a "sound byte" to set up this page incorrectly as a promo for the 1000-day voyage, which it obviously is not..."William Reid Stowe (born January 6, 1952) is an American artist and mariner, and the remaining participant of 1000 Days at Sea: The Mars Ocean Odyssey, a one thousand-day voyage which commenced on April 21, 2007 from Pier 12, Hoboken, New Jersey."

As this is a biography about a person who has one or two notable achievements that would be considered of interest to the public, we should not allow it to sound like a plug for his latest achievement. That achievement should stand on its own two legs, without help from Wikipedia. That means rewording to take out anything that sounds like a marquee statement. I also think that a distinction should be made right up front, that Reid Stowe is not a typical "racing" sailor, but a "cruising" sailor, which might help to put his whole persona into perspective, and get rid of the animosity that other more traditional sailors have shown towards him. He is in a different class, and proud of it, from what we read in the media. I think that would help to alleviate some of the caustic language we have seen in this discussion.

Skol fir (talk) 22:18, 12 June 2010 (UTC)

Yes - and his back child support and prison time might not qualify as one or two of his notable achievements? They both should stand on their own two legs. Let the Wiki readers decide. Cruising sailor I'm good with, but is it really the job of us Wiki editors to repackage a subject? Sounds more like a marketing effort than a bio.Regatta dog (talk) 03:12, 13 June 2010 (UTC)

Neither prison time nor past child support difficulties are notable achievements for this biography. Furthermore, you are a great one to talk about "repackaging," as you, Regatta Dog, were the only original source of the documents relating to trumped-up allegations about Reid Stowe. You then most likely fed this distorted information to the NYDN and the Gothamist, and then repeatedly tried to insert those sources as references here in this article. I already detailed the clear link between the NYDN and your blog post of Mar. 1, 2008 entitled provocatively "Reid Stowe is a Deadbeat Dad." I should also point out for your benefit that the Gothamist article from Mar. 10, 2008 stated falsely that he was "caught drug smuggling" and directly linked this false accusation to your blog entry from nine days earlier (also dated Mar. 1, 2008) and entitled "Reid is a Convicted Drug Smuggler - 30,000 Pounds of Marijuana." Making those claims was already libelous, as I have stated before.

This is totally unacceptable, for an editor at Wikipedia to be the primary source of derogatory information, to alert other media to that information after having distorted it, and then to use those references to back up his outrageous claims. You must be joking if you think that such a Conflict of Interest will be tolerated in a balanced biography. Think again. Skol fir (talk) 19:16, 15 June 2010 (UTC)

I have not cited primary sources for this article. You must be joking if you think this is a "balanced biography". Regatta dog (talk) 18:32, 16 June 2010 (UTC)

Non Working and Inappropriate Reference Links

The following links report "Page not found" and should be removed along with the information in the article they support --

Link # 7 - Schlosser, Jim (April 30, 2007), "Couple set sail for 1,000 days" (archived article; need subscription to view at Greensboro, North Carolina–News & Record), Greensboro, North Carolina News-Record

Link # 19 - ^ Captain Reid Ocean Odyssey part two: The Voyages, August 2, 2004, http://www.theoceans.net/story/stories/CaptainReidOceanOdysseyparttwotheVoyagesAug22004.shtml, retrieved 2007-05-13

Link #35 - (Dobnick, Verena (April 21, 2007), "Couple sets sail for 1,000-day, heart-shaped cruise", Phillyburbs.com (Associated Press), http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/104-04212007-1334327.html, retrieved 2007-09-02)

Link # 43 - ^ Kappelle, Liza. "Yacht rescue for sick American woman sailor". Perth Now (The Sunday Times) (Australian Associated Press). http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,23257535-2761,00.html.

The following links are to forums/blogs, and therefore are not acceptable references and should be removed along with the information in the article they support --

Link # 18 - Sail Net Sailing Forum -- ^ Tantra construction, steel & glass. Posted on SailNet, Dec. 11, 2007. Retrieved 4 May 2010.

Link # 33 - Latitude 38 - A reputable source of information contained within editorial, but the link is to a quote from a blog response by a member of the subject's support team and is therefore inadmissible - ^ From a letter by Eric Hunter Slater to the editors of Latitude 38. Slater, Eric Hunter (July, 2007), "He's a Fish And I Am Not", Latitude 38, http://www.latitude38.com/letters/200707.html, retrieved 2008-02-24

Link # 39 - MarineBuzz.com -- A personal blog that "accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, , paid insertions, or other forms of compensation" -- ^ Soanya Ahmad Abandons 1000 Days at Sea Expedition After 306 Days. Posted on Feb. 23, 2008. Retrieved 2 May 2010.

Link # 51 - Gadling - a Travel Blog -- ^ Sailor spends 1000 days at sea. Retrieved 30 April 2010.

Other reference link problems --

Link #5 (# ^ How is Darshen doing? From the website 1000 Days At Sea) is a link to the subject's home page and contains information that redundant to the information contained in Link #4 which sufficiently covers the information cited in the article. Link #4 is adequate, if we consider the NY Daily News a reputable source. Link # 5, therefor, should be removed.

Link #41 - Links to the main page of 1000 days at sea and should go direct to the log entry about the sprit repair located here - http://1000days.net/home/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=132&Itemid=70

Link #50 - Is a Link to a "Welcome Back Reid" Fact Sheet produced by the subject's shore team. The fact sheet contains no independent verification of information presented as facts. As a source it is highly questionable and should be removed. Link here - ^ a b 1000 Days at Sea - Fact Sheet. Retrieved June 3, 2010.

Link #27 is provided as a reference for a quote in the article -- "an expedition which Guillem dubbed "The Odyssey of the Sea Turtle." There is no reference in the cited article to the Sea Turtle and therefore the quote and reference should be removed.

Regatta dog (talk) 13:47, 15 June 2010 (UTC)

There is nothing particularly wrong with these links. Off2riorob (talk) 16:42, 15 June 2010 (UTC)

Please take the time to address each one of the references noted above. I look forward to you arguing in favor of references to blogs and blog quotes, references that do not even exist and references to articles that do not support their referents in any way whatever. If a valid argument can't be made, then they have to go, along with whatever text they were meant to support. Regatta dog (talk) 17:45, 15 June 2010 (UTC)

I have had a quick look and the cites are imo all fine enough, your repeated attemps to disrupt this article and this talkpage with your personal negative interest in this living person are the only problem here not these citations. Off2riorob (talk) 17:48, 15 June 2010 (UTC)

There is nothing personal or negative in this discussion. I am concerned that an editor would advocate references that lead to nowhere, references from blogs where you can pay to have a promotional story posted as an article, and references that do not in any way support the content cited in the article. It is a real problem that you are willing to ignore Wiki's own rules as an editor. By advocating this kind of sloppy and non-existent citing, you bring your self-proclaimed neutrality into serious doubt. Regatta dog (talk) 18:05, 15 June 2010 (UTC)

Yes there is, you have a personal citable POV about this living person. these citations are totally fine to support some little comment about some little boat ride. Your POV and repeated circular commentry and your previous attempt to insert your own interviews about this person and your posting about this person at other locations on the web make your ability to edit the article about Zero. Your circular discussions on this talkpage have become tedious and tiresome. Off2riorob (talk) 18:26, 15 June 2010 (UTC)

These citations are not totally fine. They fall outside Wikipedia guidelines. Please stick to the subject at hand so that we might find consensus and move on. Regatta dog (talk) 18:36, 15 June 2010 (UTC)

These citations are fine, as for finding consensus and moving on, I have told you, your cited POV as regards this living person make your ability to edit the article zero and your repeated tiresome circular commentry here is also a waste of your time. Off2riorob (talk) 18:46, 15 June 2010 (UTC)

If you feel these citations are fine, your ability to edit any article is highly suspect. I look forward to the input of other editors. Regatta dog (talk) 18:59, 15 June 2010 (UTC)

I think that most of these links or associated text should be kept, for reasons given below. It seems like Regatta Dog is looking for any excuse to chop up the article. The issue with blogs as sources does not apply to the subject's own website. Ref #27 is just misplaced. It should come after the part "he and his new bride, Laurence Guillem," while the correct reference for the quote "The Odyssey of the Turtle" is Ref #30 (following sentence).

Running down the list...

Link #7. Disagree—I put down the moolah and bought the article. Don't be cheap.

Link #19. Agree—I already mentioned this one in the archived discussion.

Link #35. Agree to remove the ref, but leave the text, as another reference backs it up (Ref #36).

Link #43. Agree to remove the ref, but leave the text, as another reference backs it up (Ref #47).

Link #18. Disagree—This is not a personal blog, does not seek monetary contributions and serves a legitimate function as a neutral discussion forum. Furthermore, the information added is constructively useful to the discussion about the construction of the "Anne."

Link #33. Agree—based on being a comment on an article.

Link #39. Disagree—This site does not offer any direct way to make monetary contributions; the statement quoted is buried inside a disclaimer, and only refers to the author providing a service for others, such as advertising, and being compensated. It is not a personal blog. The same applies to Link #18.

Link #51. Agree to remove the ref, but leave the text, as another reference backs it up (Ref #6).

Link #41. Disagree—The repair took almost one month, so one day is not going to cover the repair, sorry.

Links #5, 50. Disagree—Subject's own website is acceptable as a source.

Skol fir (talk) 19:10, 15 June 2010 (UTC)

Thank you Skol fir. We are in agreement on almost all of them. Exceptions are:

Link #39 - It is a self proclaimed blog. On the disclosure page I quote - "This blog accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation" A blog is a blog and that should be enough to disqualify the source. A blog that accepts "paid insertions" is even more questionable as a source. This is not a valid source based on Wiki rules, and I also don't believe that the article would lose anything of any importance by it's removal.

Link #41 - The log entry does not suggest it was a single day repair, but succinctly covers the content cited in the wiki article without forcing readers to wade through hundreds of pages to find the information. From that single log entry, a reader can move forward or backward for more information. I think it is important for readers to access the information in the most effective way, and routing to the front page of the subject's website doesn't address the content cited and may be construed as self serving. The front page has lots of promotional content.

Link #51 - Disagree here about the validity of the source when the source is the subject's website and claims facts. Based on your argument, quite simply the subject claim on his website that he made 3 circumnavigations and had a conversation with a mermaid and represent that as a fact. These claims can be found in other sources. Linking to a "Fact Sheet" with a banner that says "Welcome Home Reid" is self serving and highly promotional. There are a lot of other claims on the sheet that are deemed facts but have not been verified by a reputable third party. I suggest an alternative source. I'll dig one up in the next day or so.

Links #18, #50 and #27 - you did not comment on. Are you in agreement that these should be deleted along with their info from the article? Thanks Regatta dog (talk) 19:59, 15 June 2010 (UTC)

You are right; I initially forgot to comment on #18, but #27 and # 50 are already in my list above (one in the intro and the other lumped together with #5). I have now added Link #18.

In reference to blogs, I consider anything from the subject's own website to be acceptable by the BLP rules. I personally don't have a problem with discussion forums, as long as they are open to all viewpoints and don't present a bias from the get-go. However, if blogs (other than the subject's own) are banned from Wikipedia as a source, especially in a BLP, then I guess I have to agree with you on #39. As for #41, I'll go along with you on that one. As for #51, I still stand by my statement that anything coming out of a subject's own website or blog is permissible as a source. That is the rule, subject to the conditions I already mentioned in the section "Same old, same old, ad nauseam." Given your personal opinion on the matter, I suppose we have to look closely at the condition #4- "no reasonable doubt as to its authenticity." You seem to doubt anything coming out of the Reid Stowe camp, which I don't think is warranted.

Skol fir (talk) 20:28, 15 June 2010 (UTC)

I would also suggest that condition #1 and #2 apply here. It is unduly self serving, containing a banner at the top of the "Fact Sheet" that reads - "Welcome Home Reid", and it is made up of claims made by a third party. If Reid himself made such a claim, I would have no objection as long as it was presented as a claim and not as fact. To allow claims from the subject's own website to be presented as facts would allow any individual to make any claim and present it as fact in a Wiki article. Reid could simply claim 3 circumnavigations, being knighted by the Queen of England and turning water into wine, and those claims could be represented as facts in his BLP? The rules under Self Published Sources also states -- "Caution should be exercised when using such sources: if the information in question is really worth reporting, someone else is likely to have done so."

You may not have a problem with discussion forums, but it is simply against Wiki rules. Would critical comments from Sailing Anarchy be acceptable? After all, Sailing Anarchy is the worlds largest sailing website. Regatta dog (talk) 13:41, 16 June 2010 (UTC)

New York Daily News

It has been argued by a number of editors that the NY Daily News is a tabloid and not a reliable source. I disagree strongly with this, but if the NY Daily News is to be challenged as a reliable source for negative coverage of the subject of the article, the same argument about lack of credibility must be applied to all references to the NY Daily News. Either the article outlining Mr. Stowe's back child support is legitimate, or none of the references to the NY Daily News are acceptable and should be removed. Wiki Editors should not make decisions about the credibility of a source based on whether or not they approve of the content of one article over another. Does the child support issue stay in or does all NY Daily News information in the article get deleted? Regatta dog (talk) 13:47, 15 June 2010 (UTC)

The content you repeatedly an tediously keep going on about on the talkpage has been rejected on BLP grounds as you well know, please stop your repeated discussion of it here, you have a conflict of interest in a negative manner as regards this living person and I for one am tired of your circular going on about it here, so what if he owed some child support, no one is bothered apart from you, it is not notable at all. Off2riorob (talk) 16:41, 15 June 2010 (UTC)

The NY Daily News felt it was important enough to dedicate an entire article to it. Because a couple wiki editors don't think it is important, doesn't mean that Wiki readers wouldn't find it an important aspect of his life. I say put it up and let readers decide on its level of importance.

Please read previous discussions on the topic. The article has been rejected based on the source, not the content. If the NY Daily news is an unacceptable source, then apply that decision across the board. Simple logic, really. Regatta dog (talk) 17:40, 15 June 2010 (UTC)

The topic is not notable and has been rejected on multiple occasions by mutliple independant experienced editors and is not interesting to anyone but you, as I said here and on your talkpage , your WP:COI is getting extremely tiresome indeed. Off2riorob (talk) 17:43, 15 June 2010 (UTC)

So which is it? Is it not notable or is it the credibility of the source? If it is the source - all Daily News articles suffer the same credibility and need to go. If it is not notable, that is a personal opinion and has no place here at Wiki. The NY Daily News found it interesting enough to publish a story on it. There was enough interest in the article that people left 25 comments about it on the NY Daily News web site. I would suggest that there are plenty of editors here with a conflict of interest. Regatta dog (talk) 17:53, 15 June 2010 (UTC)

You are the only editor here that has the kind of negative conflict of interest that is any kind of problrem, you have only ever edited this article , your only interest here is to attempt to add content that reflects badly on this living person, wikipedia is not here for that. Off2riorob (talk) 17:58, 15 June 2010 (UTC)

Wikipedia is not here to provide a place for free advertising and self promotion either. Wikipedia rules require balance. Regatta dog (talk) 18:08, 15 June 2010 (UTC)

You POV is the only issue with this article. It is a nice simple harmless article about a boat ride, that is all that is interesting here. Off2riorob (talk) 18:22, 15 June 2010 (UTC)

It is not an article about a boat ride. It is an article about a person - a biography. As such, important parts of his life should be included. I, and many others, would argue that owing back child support for years is pertinent. Regatta dog (talk) 18:39, 15 June 2010 (UTC)

No one cares but you, child support is irrelevant to wikipedia and to anyone else, get over it it is meaninless and actually common to not pay child support, it is not a notable issue. Actually it is a personal private issue between a man and a woman, please stop repeatedly discussing it on this talkpage, it is becoming a BLP issue to continually repeatedly comment about content that has been rejected as a possible inclusion in the article, stop discussing t here. Off2riorob (talk) 18:44, 15 June 2010 (UTC)

It is relevant to Wikipedia (See wiki article on Deadbeat Parents "[Parent]"). You have still not addressed the main point here. Is the NY Daily news a reputable source or not? I believe it is, but am getting mixed messages from other editors. Can you please address the question directly? Thanks Regatta dog (talk) 18:52, 15 June 2010 (UTC)

I have addressed the main point here which is 'you and your editing here at wikipedia as regards this living person. Off2riorob (talk) 18:55, 15 June 2010 (UTC)

The main point here is the validity of the NY Daily News as a reliable source. If you do not want to participate that is your choice, but trying to change the subject is not productive to this discussion. Regatta dog (talk) 19:02, 15 June 2010 (UTC)

The main point here and the only point, is your citable Conflict of interest and negative point of view of this person and your editing at this article, that is the only problem here. Off2riorob (talk) 19:04, 15 June 2010 (UTC)

And your thoughts on the NY Daily News as a reliable source? Regatta dog (talk) 19:05, 15 June 2010 (UTC)

I care only about your problematic contributions here. Off2riorob (talk) 19:07, 15 June 2010 (UTC)

One more time - is the NY Daily News a reliable source? Regatta dog (talk) 20:10, 15 June 2010 (UTC)

I believe this to be a valid question and deserves a straight answer. Aloha27 (talk) 01:38, 17 June 2010 (UTC)

COI notice

I have placed a COI notice on the COI notice board concerning Regatta dog. [[8]] I've been extremely busy with work and other commitments lately. Otherwise, I would have done so earlier. --Zanthorp (talk) 16:29, 16 June 2010 (UTC)

Can you point to a particular COI rule that has been violated? I read the section and couldn't find anything. I did, however find this --

Conflict of interest in point of view disputes

Another case can arise in disputes relating to non-neutral points of view, where underlying conflicts of interest may aggravate editorial disagreements. In this scenario, it may be easy to make claims about conflict of interest. Do not use conflict of interest as an excuse to gain the upper hand in a content dispute. When conflicts exist, invite the conflicted editor to contribute to the article talk page, and give their views fair consideration.

I think that may be what's going on here. Regatta dog (talk) 18:40, 16 June 2010 (UTC)

Seems you somehow overlooked the most important bits.

"COI editing involves contributing to Wikipedia in order to promote your own interests...." In this case, the press articles that you contributed to and influenced. In order to circumvent the no original research policy you managed to get a tabloid journalist to publish your OR and opinions so that you could then insert them into this article.

"Where advancing outside interests is more important to an editor than advancing the aims of Wikipedia, that editor stands in a conflict of interest."

The outside interest that you have been attempting to advance again and again and again is your campaign against Stowe. If you were left to your own devices, this article would become an extension of your blog, liberally sprinkled with "Deadbeat Dad" and conflicting claims about smuggling marijuana. In fact, that's pretty much what I found when I first encountered this article --Zanthorp (talk) 17:22, 17 June 2010 (UTC)

That's quite an accusation you made there. An article appears about Reid's back child support and you make the leap and accuse me of getting "a tabloid journalist to publish your OR and opinions so that you could then insert them into this article." That's a great deal of speculation on your part. Also, you may want to read the article more carefully. The reporter did all of his own research.

If I was let to my own devices, I would make sure that the article was well sourced and balanced. If you look at the article history, you will note that my edits regarding his legal problems were only a couple sentences. Your exaggeration and unfounded assumptions are not very impartial, IMO.

I am assuming, based on your comments, that the NY Daily News is a "tabloid" and therefore an unreliable source. Is that correct? If so, this article will need some additional editing. Regatta dog (talk) 17:51, 17 June 2010 (UTC)

NYDN is not the issue. You are the issue, and have been ever since a couple of editors got wind of what you are up to here at the "Reid Stowe" article. The fact that you repeatedly inserted controversial edits, with their only sources being two articles, that you obviously had a hand in creating—that is what is at issue here. Conflict of Interest means that you have an agenda, and are trying to promote that agenda through underhanded means. You have been told many times to cease inserting that defamatory material which is not backed up by the truth, which you so callously distorted in the first place, just to hurt Reid Stowe as much as possible.

Your Conflict of Interest is that you have a single-minded purpose to deface the article and that you were directly tied to the references you used to accomplish that. That is as plain as I can tell it, unless I stoop to language directed at a two-year old. Skol fir (talk) 20:23, 17 June 2010 (UTC)

Your personal insults are really not appropriate here, and again your assumptions are baseless. I was interviewed for one article, yes, but did not reference my own comments in that article. That particular article, BTW, had nothing to do with his drug conviction or back child support. It was an article about Soanya leaving the boat. To assume I "obviously had a hand in creating" any article about his legal problems is absurd. Perhaps you should ask yourself how many articles his support team obviously had a hand in creating. As I read the COI rules, it is apparent to me that they were developed first and foremost to protect an article from self promotion.

You seem to be suggesting above that information about the subject that only appears in two articles is not noteworthy? Perhaps I'm wrong in my assumption and you can clarify what you meant by your statement. I would suggest that a source such as the NY Daily News is far more reliable than many of the other sources for the article, including the subject's own promotional website.

Are you then in agreement that the NY Daily News is a reputable source? Will you please answer the question directly?

My only agenda here is the truth. I have nothing to gain personally or financially. My only desire is to make sure that people interested in the subject get the whole story and not just what his handlers and PR agency want them to see as a packaged product. Regatta dog (talk) 20:52, 17 June 2010 (UTC)

Then speak the truth. The Conflict of Interest Noticeboard is for use in instances where a particular editor has shown a bias towards the subject of an article AND repeatedly adds contentious information to an article over a longer period of time. I quote from the noticeboard intro: "such as disputes with tendentious editors and cases where editors are repeatedly adding problematic material over a longer period of time." Look up Wikipedia:Tendentious editing. It might help to make you see how your behavior fits that description. Skol fir (talk) 21:26, 17 June 2010 (UTC)

I have been speaking the truth, but unfortunately there are editors who aren't interested in the whole truth, but rather just what they want the public to see. I would suggest that I am not the only editor here with what you would consider a COI. In an internet world of anonymity, at least I am consistent using my moniker across all internet sites. A couple editors here who claim no connection to the subject have, through their discussion posts, shown intimate knowledge of the subject not available to the general public and been strong proponents of poorly sourced information in an apparent attempt to create a positive image for public consumption. I could have created a secondary anonymous identity for Wikipedia so that I could have been as stealth as the other editors here who, IMO, are closely associated with the subject and his mission. I did not.

You, Skol fir, referred to well sourced information as "trumped up allegations" and accused me of having a hand in creating them without a bit of evidence to support that claim. I am not referring to the article in the NYDN about Soanya leaving the boat, in which I expressed relief that she was off the boat and that Reid was negligent in taking her for 1000 days without knowing if she was prone to sea sickness. I am talking about well sourced articles about his child support and drug conviction problems. I would suggest that you and a few other editors have shown a great deal of bias toward the subject. I feel obliged to provide the balance to keep this article from becoming nothing more than a self serving, promotional brochure.

I would also add that contentious edits are a double edged sword. I find the attempts to exclude anything about his child support and drug conviction without any logical rationale to be very contentious. Regatta dog (talk) 23:12, 17 June 2010 (UTC)

You are wrong. You state, "I am talking about well sourced articles about his child support and drug conviction problems." The headline of the NYDN child support article by Adam Nichols was lifted from your blog. The state did not say that Stowe was a "Deadbeat Dad." The headline is defamatory because it is false and highly derogatory, and that becomes obvious to anyone who takes the time to read past the headline. The article was very poorly sourced: it quotes you directly from your blog. An article published 10 days earlier by the same journalist quotes you and names you as a source. We have been through all of this numerous times. You cannot worm your way out of this. Denial is not a river in Egypt.

Unlike the NYDN, The NY Times IS a reliable source. I see that they have published recent articles about Stowe that we can use, and BTW, they have not published any of your claims. --Zanthorp (talk) 05:36, 18 June 2010 (UTC)

If I had a copyright on "deadbeat dad" and got a nickle for every time it was used, I'd be a very wealthy man. To suggest that a reporter from the NY Daily News stole my term for his headline about the subject's back child support is ludicrous. I suggest you Google the term and look at the number of hits.

I question if you have actually read beyond the headline. The article does not quote me or any blog at all! The article quotes Michael Hayes of New York's Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, which manages child support collections. The article also quotes Jim Benedict, a member of Mr. Stowe's support team -- "By the time this thing is over, hopefully some cash would have come in," said Benedict. "Enough for Reid to pay what he owes."

So are you really trying to claim that the NY Daily News made up an interview with a named Gov't official charged with collecting back child support, and that further, the NY Daily News invented a quote from a member of the subject's own support team acknowledging the back child support claim? On top of that you claim that it quotes me from a blog? Seriously, Zanthrop, I'm trying to work with you here, but it appears we are not reading from the same sheet music. For your convenience, here's a link to the article being debated - http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2008/03/10/2008-03-10_1000day_sailor_a_deadbeat_dad_who_could_.html. Please read it again and lets discuss.

Again - based on your challenging, yet again, the NY Daily News as a source, I look forward to your removing all text in the article based on that "tabloid's" reporting. I'll help you identify them if you'd like, but you seem more concerned about the NY Daily News' credibility as a source than I do. Let me know if you want some help.

BTW - Charles Doane published an article yesterday (the same Charles Doane that is cited as a reliable source in the article as well as being linked at the subject's home page) that confirms the drug conviction and the back child support using the unambiguous term "true". He did interview me via e-mail for the article, but he uses no OR on my part. Is Charles Doane now a tabloid journalist? Without Doane and the NY Daily News, this BLP is going to need a major rewrite. Regatta dog (talk) 06:18, 18 June 2010 (UTC)

The problem is certain specific claims are defamatory. Those types of claims, of a personal and negative nature, require a higher level of verification, they have special treatment per BLP. If you can provide more and better sources for the defamatory claims, beyond the NYDN, that unambiguously do not involve a COI, such as primary source copies of court documents, that might be enough to add the information to the article - assuming it's even important enough - personally, I don't see child support as being encyclopedic, but that's another discussion. FYI many states make court records freely available online for searching, I don't know what state is involved here. Green Cardamom (talk) 21:33, 18 June 2010 (UTC)

FYI I did a cursory search for NY court records online and they don't appear to be digital like some states, requires going in person. But it's a complex system in NY and maybe some divisions have it, I can't decipher it all, perhaps someone would have better luck. It's also worth noting the NYDN article is from 2008, nearly two years ago, and the amount in discussion is only around $10,000 - for a daughter who is now 32 years old! Calling him a "dead beat dad" is pure tabloid journalism and makes the rest of the article suspect. He may not be paying it because he contests that he owes it, and he may be right, who pays child support for a 32 year old daughter! There really needs to be a lot more investigation done before it's added to the article. Green Cardamom (talk) 22:08, 18 June 2010 (UTC)

When an editor contributes (via interview) to a press article, then adds material from that article to the related Wikipedia article and cites the press article as a source, they are, in effect, citing themselves. In this case, after citing themselves (in effect) the same editor used these talk pages (see archives) to promote the original press article, and a related article by the same journalist. Clearly, a conflict of interest has been demonstrated.

In response to Regatta dog, we are not discussing Charles Doane; the topic here is your COI. And I must say, its truly a miraculous series of coincidences that you have described! 9 days after you begin an anti-Stowe blog post with the heading, "Deadbeat Dad" a NYDN article by the same journalist that quoted you as a source just happens to coincidentally include the same words covering the same topic that you posted about on your blog. Incredible! What are the odds of that happening. And to top it off, on the very same day that the NYDN Deadbeat Dad article appears, you quote from it and use it to update your blog. Maybe you and that journalist are psychically linked, or maybe its all just a miraculous coincidence, as you seem to imply. If you haven't already bought a lottery ticket, you should. --Zanthorp (talk) 05:56, 19 June 2010 (UTC)

Edit request from Avicennasis, 18 June 2010

{{editprotected}} Can an admin remove the line {{pp-semi-blp|expiry=June 7, 2010|small=yes}} so the page will not be in Category:Wikipedia pages with incorrec. St protection templates? Thanks! ^Avicenna_sis @ 03:24, 18 June 2010 (UTC)

 Done — Martin (MSGJ · talk) 10:00, 18 June 2010 (UTC)

Update

Reid stepped off the Anne yesterday, so I think it's time to update the article. See http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/17/nyregion/17voyage.html?emc=eta1 John Link (talk) 04:46, 18 June 2010 (UTC)

I agree the article should be updated, but would suggest an article that covered the event after he hit shore. The NY Times article was written prior. The Guardian has a nice article - http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/jun/17/sailor-reid-stowe-record-voyage.

I suggest a new sub-head replacing "Mission Status" with "Arrival in New York" with the text - "On June 17, 2010, Reid Stowe, accompanied by a flotilla up the Hudson River, docked the schooner Anne in New York and set foot on land for the first time in 1,152 days, claiming a record for the longest continuous sea voyage. He was greeted at the dock by family, friends and supporters and met his son, Darshen, for the first time. Stowe, his girlfriend Soanya Ahmad, and their son plan on living on the schooner as a family." Regatta dog (talk) 06:57, 18 June 2010 (UTC)

Category

Please add category Category:sailing expeditions. thanks. --Steve, Sm8900 (talk) 14:21, 18 June 2010 (UTC)