User talk:Hersfold

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User:Hersfold/Talk Header - v • e

A barnstar for you!

	The Arbitrator's Barnstar
	Thank you for all your work on the Arbitration Committee. Go Phightins! 01:34, 13 March 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks very much :-) Hersfold ^(t/a/c) 01:52, 13 March 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Question

Normally, I would say that it is no one's business what a person does or does not do. However, I wonder if you can provide a bit more background based on the facts in this case. You ran for the Committee, then resigned, which was fine. Then you ran a second time and won again, and in that campaign you were repeatedly asked about whether you would resign again and you strongly indicated you would not. Given this pattern, I feel justified in respectfully asking why you have been through a run-resign-run-resign sequence? —Jeff 02:00, 13 March 2013 (UTC)

He's unlikely to answer that one right now. You might save it for if he returns and runs again.--v/r - T P 02:13, 13 March 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks, TParis, but I'll answer it.

Jeff, I'd rather you had logged in to the account I assume you have rather ask this while hiding behind an IP address, but to answer your question, this was not planned. I had promised myself on reelection to sit through this term no matter what happened, out of respect for those who elected me if nothing else. However, at this point, being on the Committee is far too stressful for it to be practical or healthy for me to continue doing in my free time. That aside, the current incident involving Cla68 and Kevin is continuing, with several more people having been outed since Cla68's initial attempt to out Russavia. Given the increased risk of being harassed and outed inherent in arbitrator-ship, it seems likely that that net will expand to include one or more arbitrators before too much longer, if action is not taken to stop it. I value my privacy and personal safety, and have an obligation to protect my family as well.

So yes, I have broken a campaign promise. It certainly wasn't my intention to do so, but under the circumstances I hope that the majority of the community will understand. If I do return to regular editing at some point in the future, you needn't worry; I do not believe I would run for a seat on the Committee ever again, unless some serious changes are made in how the community treats what are supposed to be among the most trusted and respected of their colleagues. Hersfold ^(t/a/c) 02:15, 13 March 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Fair enough, thanks for the reply. I suppose the gist of this is that you seem to indicate that your family would not be safe if your real name was known. It is hard for me to imagine a situation in which that would be true. However, you started participating here with an implied promise of anonymity, and due to the good work of the people at WO and elsewhere, that is no longer a probable outcome, so that is an understandable reason to leave. Take care, —Jeff 03:07, 13 March 2013 (UTC)~

I sympathise, and it's deeply regrettable that vindictive individuals have driven you to this. My best wishes for your future endeavours. Prioryman (talk) 08:12, 13 March 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Keep your head up

		The Original Barnstar
		For your intelligent, communicative, and honest work as lead ArbCommer in the Richard Norton case. While I do not agree with the ultimate remedy, I thank you for your excellent work. Carrite (talk) 02:56, 13 March 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks, Carrite. Sorry things didn't come out as you'd hoped (I'm guessing the topic ban?) but I think this was one of our better decisions, if I may say so myself. :-) I'm rather confident it'll work out pretty well. Hersfold ^(t/a/c) 03:23, 13 March 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Hersfold, much respect. I couldn't have resigned, cause I couldn't have run for that job in the first place. What were you thinking--there'd be no drama?!? All the best, Drmies (talk) 04:10, 13 March 2013 (UTC)[reply]

:(

		The Special Barnstar
		Oh Hersfold, so so sad to see. Thank you for all your work on Wikipedia over the years. You will be greatly missed! KTC (talk) 06:52, 13 March 2013 (UTC)[reply]

I agree. I'm sorry to see you go. ···日本穣^? · 投稿 · Talk to Nihonjoe · Join WP Japan! 09:29, 13 March 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Hope to see you back someday - if not here, then maybe at another Wikimedia project. Thanks for your service. --Rs chen 7754 09:32, 13 March 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Wishing you the best

Hi Hersfold. I was saddened to see your resignation and was hoping to offer a few kind words before anything was done, but I see over at m:srp it's too late. Being an Arbitrator is the most difficult position one could volunteer for on Wikipedia and all you get in return is grief. This is a sad fact of the Wikipedia of today. I will say that I'm very thankful that you and other people are willing to help in this area because the alternative would be chaos. I'm sad to see it's had such a negative impact on your time here and hope that you'll try to remember some of the more pleasant experiences. As other's have said above, there are a lot of other projects under the WMF umbrella that could use an experienced person. I hope you'll consider volunteering at one of the more quiet areas. Thanks for all the help you've provided to the project over the years. Wishing you well. 64.40.54.205 (talk) 10:24, 13 March 2013 (UTC)[reply]