Wikipedia:Administrators' noticeboard/Incidents

Administrators' noticeboard/Incidents
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Stalking

WP:Wikihounding is:

the singling out of one or more editors, and joining discussions on multiple pages or topics they may edit or multiple debates where they contribute, to repeatedly confront or inhibit their work. This is with an apparent aim of creating irritation, annoyance or distress to the other editor. Wikihounding usually involves following the target from place to place on Wikipedia.

Here's a textbook case:

1. User:Travelmite opened an account in January 2015, making 92 edits, mostly on two days, where he added articles to a category using an existing list, and shuffled text around in an article. See [1] and [2] for examples, here for the complete list.
2. At the end of January 2016, this account's behaviour abruptly changed from making trivial edits to actively targeting two editors: myself and User:Miesianiacal, whom he attempted to WP:OUT, claiming a conflict of interest here.
3. In February 2016, Travelmite made 246 edits, some aimed at Miesianiacal, but most (198) directed against me via the Australian head of state dispute article, which I created in 2011 and has a handful of regular editors on this rather specialised topic. Examples of his behaviour here, here, here, here and many others. Only a few edits during this time were on other matters, such as support for Brianhe's failed admin request here and some triva concerning Ugg boots here.
4. In March 2016, all of this account's 101 edits were aimed at me via the head of state and related articles, continuing the previous month's behaviour.
5. This account quietened down during April, May and June, apart from two edits at Talk:Panini, taking a predictably opposite position to mine. I had been called there via an RfC request. Travelmite simply followed me there.
6. In July 2016, out of 52 edits, 49 were again directed at me via the School of Economic Science article, which has been a subject of some interest to me. Travelmite again caused disruption, mainly via another WP:COIN topic here.
7. In August 2016, after I attempted to raise this matter discreetly in other forums, the account's behaviour abruptly changed, with edits after 16 August moving away from me.

Out of 569 edits made by the Travelmite account in 2016, 393 (or 69%) were directed against me via articles I edit, or through various other harassments, such as the WP:COIN issue. Fot most of 2016, this account has followed me around Wikipedia for the purposes of harassment, making few edits that were not connected to me in one way or another. Looking at this account's edits, I think that the charge of WP:Wikihounding is clearly demonstrated. Again, I quote:

The important component of wikihounding is disruption to another user's own enjoyment of editing, or to the project generally, for no overriding reason. If "following another user around" is accompanied by tendentiousness, personal attacks, or other disruptive behavior, it may become a very serious matter and could result in blocks and other editing restrictions.

This account edits via Chinese proxies. It is apparently not connected with any other Wikipedia account, as determined by discreet Checkuser requests. (The requests were made discreetly for legitimate reasons I am unable to disclose here.)

I suspect that this account is fraudulent, based on the fact that its behaviour changed abruptly in late January 2016 from making a few sparse innocuous edits to being concerned almost exclusively with myself and Miesianiacal, disputing over various articles, talk pages and noticeboards day after day. This is not the usual manner in which editors begin their service here.

In late January 2016, there was some discussion here about an interaction ban involving four editors, one of whom was myself. I opposed the application of an IBAN then, but I am seeking one now, between myself and Travelmite. I don't mind if Travelmite makes constructive edits (and he shows a good deal of familiarity with wikipractice), but I do find the continued stalking offensive and disruptive.

I request the attention of other editors here to consider my request for an interction ban. --Pete (talk) 13:00, 28 August 2016 (UTC)

Definitely a reasonable request. Until an IBAN can be implemented, I recommended you try and WP:SHUN the user for now. Better yet, I think this long-term wikihounding warrants a block. I haven't observed this user's contributions closely, but from what you've written, and from the diffs, there is a possibility of a WP:NOTHERE case. Linguist 111 ^Moi? Moi. 14:11, 28 August 2016 (UTC)

I am a person of the highest principles and integrity. The accusations above are all false, including the details and statistics. You won't find a single other editor to confirm these accusations. I deal with hundreds of issues on Wikipedia, only three involving Pete/Skyring. Why three? Pete/Skying's incivility towards other editors has unfortunately generated incalculable complaints and counter-complaints. And everyone sees them here on the dispute pages - that is the only way I know about them. Travelmite (talk) 16:21, 28 August 2016 (UTC)

@Travelmite: Please could you provide evidence that Skyring has been uncivil (diffs)? Linguist 111 ^Moi? Moi. 16:43, 28 August 2016 (UTC)

Yes, there are many. Let's start the 23rd March where I am called a "troll" when defending against false accusations against another editor [3][4] and here making further unfounded accusations that I am "dedicated to disruption" [5]. A few uncivil/baiting comments towards User_talk:Py0alb regarding spelling of Panini, with this diff [6] being one example. User:Roberthall7 is under a bit of a personal attack here [7] which led to the discovery Pete/Skyring was a member of the organisation in the article and making sympathetic edits. But there's more than just my dealings, because this block from 8-August shows a more serious attempt at making accusations, [8] but I don't know the details of that. Travelmite (talk) 17:52, 28 August 2016 (UTC)

Also from the same page: [9] Travelmite (talk) 18:25, 28 August 2016 (UTC)

1. Looking at Travelmite's diffs above, I think they lend far more credence to my assertion that he stuck his nose in and harassed me for months.
2. He says, "You won't find a single other editor to confirm these accusations." I direct attention here, where the other victim of his attention underscores my assertions.
3. Travelmite lodged spurious Conflict of interest reports against each of us, has been blocked multiple times for harassing other editors, and still claims he has the highest integrity. I disagree with his claim. I think he has proven himself wrong many times over. --Pete (talk) 07:52, 7 September 2016 (UTC)

"I deal with hundreds of issues on Wikipedia, only three involving Pete/Skyring." Maybe. That's like saying our planet has thousands of landmasses, only seven of which are continents. Looking at Travelmite's contributions, we see how much attention is given to various issues. 45 edits (totalling 14 212 characters) on School of Economic Science, one (17 characters) on Tragedy of the commons. The pattern is clear. --Pete (talk) 20:09, 28 August 2016 (UTC)

What has happened recently, to suddenly warrant an Hounding report? GoodDay (talk) 17:41, 28 August 2016 (UTC)

I've not heard from Pete/Skyring for about a month. From User:Roberthall7, I learnt he was blocked due to some other dispute. I guess the block has ended and well ... this. Travelmite (talk) 18:25, 28 August 2016 (UTC)

The two of you are clearly not seeing eye to eye. I think you should agree to disagree, and get a two-way IBAN. You obviously aren't able to collaborate in harmony, and what's happened has just caused animosity between you. Until then, you should just deny all communication with each other. Linguist 111 ^Moi? Moi. 19:56, 28 August 2016 (UTC)

I see you were summoned here GoodDay, through one of several canvassing edits here, misleadingly headed "Beacon Reader". I've done my best to ignore Travelmite since March, WP:SHUNing him as per Linguist111's comment. I could see he was putting more effort into trying to irritate me than I was in being irritated, but he made one reversion too many, and I decided to get more eyes on the subject. It's like having a stalking ex, and applying for a restraining order. Wikipedia's equivalent is an interaction ban, and that's all I'm looking for here. --Pete (talk) 20:09, 28 August 2016 (UTC)

It is akin to workplace bullying and corruption, with a duty on all of us to help stamp it out. We have seen the accusations are false. Although I've been involved a mere three times, it has been confirmed above that the overriding issue is how other editors complain and request help from the community (via the dispute pages) to deal with harassment, bad faith, tenacious arguing and ignoring existing consensus positions, outstanding conflict of interest complaints and so on. (Note: Currently, due process is also at issue here. See Wikipedia:Administrators_noticeboard#Right_to_defense.) Travelmite (talk) 04:59, 29 August 2016 (UTC)

Travelmite has above demonstrated the problem in the relationship. A look at his contributions from late January on shows very little else but a focus on my activities. He claims "hundreds of issues", but apart from a few, every post has been concerned with two topics:

• The issue of the Australian head of state, through the lead article here (171 edits totalling 60 714 characters), an RfC about the Australian head of state (79 edits totalling 29 925 characters), and some related pages. Contributions here.
• The School of Economic Science (45 edits totalling 14 212 characters) and related pages. Contributions between 15 July and 16 August.

Both articles were, prior to Travelmite's involvement, stable articles maintained by a handful of editors each. Travelmite's edits in article space were either destructive, or modest and superficial, his edits in talkspace fixated on my doings. His contributions list demonstrates the facts, rather than his wildly inaccurate clams, and may easily be checked through the hundreds of edits. This is not the "mere three times" claimed above! It is an unhealthy fixation, and his dishonest denials of the problem's extent underscore this. I think a two-way interaction ban would fix the problem, allowing Travelmite to pursue other targets. --Pete (talk) 16:59, 29 August 2016 (UTC)

"You won't find a single other editor to confirm these accusations." Er, I am a single other editor who will confirm the accusations. Travelmite was not only sternly warned against making further unfounded and bad faith accusations against me, he threatened and then attempted to WP:OUT me, first by trying to have COI and OUTing rules changed and then by creating a page off-Wiki and linking it to my talk page (that edit was permanently stricken from my talk page's history). He eventually left me alone due to, I assume, a combination of the warnings and my ignoring him.

I didn't fail to notice from time to time that Pete/Skyring had indeed become the new permanent target of Travelmite and his obsession with and misunderstanding of conflict of interest. I recognize the behaviour, as I made an AN/I report about Travelmite myself for the same reasons. --₪ MIESIANIACAL 21:16, 29 August 2016 (UTC)

Thanks, Mies! On looking at the previous ANI link I notice that Travelmite was attacking you in an outrageous fashion, earning a 48-hour block and several warnings in the process. The use of Chinese proxy addresses was also noticed by two editors, as well as the "out of nowhere" approach that caught my eye. He likewise made a spurious COIN report and badgered you on your talk page; familiar behaviour. I strongly suspect this account to be run by someone with a longer wikihistory than meets the eye, using proxies to avoid scrutiny. --Pete (talk) 22:24, 29 August 2016 (UTC)

Regarding the interactions, none of these are accurate. I never outed Meisianiacal nor did I try. I did not create an off-wiki page or link it - that doesn't even make sense. Maintenance of privacy was always taken into full consideration. Requests from others to explain my information on-wiki were refused, because I didn't trust them enough. Fortunately later, Meisianiacal made a solemn declaration to an admin, which took the COI issue away. Meisianiacal, just to let you know that this incident report is not a problem. You didn't open it. Your privacy remains an absolute priority. Travelmite (talk) 13:03, 30 August 2016 (UTC)

This is blatantly untrue. Travelmite made a specific identification, and threw in allegations of a sexual nature. Some evidence of this remains on-wiki. For obvious reasons I shall not comment further, though I can back up my statements privately to senior Wikiofficials if need be.--Pete (talk) 22:48, 30 August 2016 (UTC)

User:Linguist111, I'm brought out of my major off-Wiki commitments at the moment after User:Travelmite messaged me and you reverted that message on my Talk page. Your issue with his message may well have merit. Is it in keeping with standard WP practices for WP editors to remove material from each others' talk pages? Assuming it is, please explain your edit. Also, do you have a history of dealing with the editors in question, or is this your first interaction with them? Turning to the issue of this ANI:

• Due to my major off-Wiki commitments I don't have time to become fully involved.
• I know nothing about Travelmite's alleged connections to other accounts (that happen to be in China), a serious matter if true. Nor do I know about his full record of editing WP and attitude toward User:Miesianiacal which from the description, if accurate, appears to be in need of change.
• What I do know is that Travelmite's issues with Pete/Skyring have merit in at least one article. I recommend observers take a very close look at the School of Economic Science Talk page, before drawing any conclusions about Travelmite and this ANI. He, I and Pete/Skyring have for months been the most active editors on that article. Pete/Skyring has self-identified himself as a member of the School of Economic Science, an organization variously described as a church, school, cult or new religious movement.
• On that Talk page Pete/Skyring has been identified by afair Travelmite, myself and User:Fiddlersmouth as disruptive, and afair the three of us ceased to assume his good faith and identified his personal attacks. On the Talk page there, you'll see a repeated allegation from Pete/Skyring that I am a WP:SPA, and my explanatory response to it, including notice of my disengagement due to the discussion becoming both personal and adversarial. Until now, I have maintained that disengagement, averted edit-warring and direct Talk-page debate with Pete/Skring. Nevertheless Pete/Skyring has continued to bait me; one tactic appears to be a switch to referring to me in discussions with other editors as female ("she" , "her" etc), when nobody else on WP does, and despite my username being Roberthall7. I haven't taken the bait. There's plenty more problematic behavior where that came from.
• On that Talk page, afair User:Keithbob recommended Travelmite, myself, User:Fiddlersmouth and Pete/Skyring going to ANI instead of undertaking lengthy Talk page discussion about behavior. Travelmite replied that he hoped it didn't get to ANI, presumably because he wanted to keep things cool. So it may be that Travelmite's refusal to go as far as ANI was well-intentioned, but that resulted instead in a sort of vigilante 'policing' behaviour by him to deal with Pete/Skyring. That may have caused a negative impression about Travelmite to be formed. He might indeed have been better off going to ANI in the first place, as Keithbob advised.
• For the record, I have had involved content disagreements and differences of opinion with Travelmite. Even at their most entrenched, I not once found his editing or comments to be disruptive, manipulative or uncivil, which seems to be the final test of all allegedly inappropriate WP behavior. On the contrary, he has been meticulously even-handed, sometimes appearing to at least partially support Pete/Skyring, while disagreeing with me. The result has been establishment of consensus and stability to the School of Economic Science article, for which Travelmite is due for acknowledgement and praise.
• If Travelmite were to get blocked, administrators would need to observe what Peter/Skyring then does at the School of Economic Science article without Travelmite being there to provide balance. It may be that this ANI was launched by Pete/Skyring to tactically remove the balance that Travelmite has provided to that article, for a while at least.
• Pete/Skyring has a long history of blocks due to disruptive behavior, and he has just come out of a two-week block. It's conspicuous that he would choose now, of all times, to cast aspersions about Travelmite with an ANI. Is it some kind of emotional retaliation? Aside from Travelmite, I and afair at least one other editor, Fiddlersmouth, having ceased to assume Pete/Skyring's good faith on an article in which they interacted at length. As such, Pete/Skyring's ANI about Travelmite should not be concluded without further scrutiny of Pete/Skyring himself.
• At the School of Economic Science Talk page Pete/Skying has made deceptive edits, to the extent that I am skeptical about his allegations against Travelmite here.
• If the allegation about Travelmite using Chinese proxies turns out to be true, and I note that he has immediately denied them, one solution to think about might be a combination of an interaction ban for Travelmite as well as a topic ban for Pete/Skyring that stops the disruption which may have prompted Travelmite's vigilante 'policing'.
• Either way, I would now support an ANI scrutinizing Pete/Skyring's behavior at the School of Economic Science article, in which I would expect and welcome scrutiny of myself.
• Based on past form, Pete/Skyring will attempt to undermine my observations on the grounds that I'm a WP:SPA. I'm confident that administrators know disruptive behavior is the test of editors' conduct. If I've been disruptive, then please show me where and I'll apologize and make amends.
• I'm getting back to my off-Wiki work now, and give notice that I'll be preoccupied with that for the next couple of weeks. Thanks and good luck, -Roberthall7 (talk) 09:44, 30 August 2016 (UTC)

Thanks, Roberthall7! Perhaps you could provide a diff for Travelmite's "immediate denial" of editing via Chinese IP proxies? That would be interesting, given that his contributions show him claiming the edits made by several such proxies. You seem to applaud Travelmite for (in your words) "vigilante" behaviour. We don't support vigilantes on Wijipedia. We have well-established policies for dealing with disruption; one example is this noticeboard. Could you clarify your statements above on these two points, please? --Pete (talk) 12:19, 30 August 2016 (UTC)

I don't know anything about the 'School of Economic Science' article & haven't been involved with it. But in my past dealings with Travelmite, I've found him to be an honest fellow, who cuts through the baloney. GoodDay (talk) 09:57, 30 August 2016 (UTC)

Thanks, GoodDay! On the issue of honesty, what do you make of his claim to have interacted with me a "mere three times"? As you know, the true figure would be in the hundreds, and this may be checked by looking through his contributions. This is why I make the charge of WP:Wikihounding. Would you be in favour of an interaction ban? --Pete (talk) 10:49, 30 August 2016 (UTC)

IBANs tend to be problematic & short term solutions. I'm not sure how to solve this disagreement between 2 editors. GoodDay (talk) 18:24, 30 August 2016 (UTC)

Well, we two have some disagreements from time to time, but I think we get on amicably enough, wouldn't you say? I don't go hunting you around the wikipedia to comment on what you're doing and to !vote against you. Wikihounding is a serious business, and most of what Travelmite has done here is to harass Mies and myself. I think an IBAN would solve that immediate problem. Others here are in agreement on this point. Perhaps I'll open up a vote section. --Pete (talk) 22:38, 30 August 2016 (UTC)

The three interactions are Australian head of state dispute, Panini (sandwich) and School of Economic Science. Actually, it's two because I simply voted for Panini spelling under an RfC and didn't interact with anyone. Travelmite (talk) 13:03, 30 August 2016 (UTC)

The Panini thing was a clear example of stalking.

1. I was summoned to that RfC by Legobot on my talk page here on 3 May 2016. This is the sandwich, rather than the reknowned Sanskrit grammarian, Pāṇini, of course. I found a proposal to bastardise a perfectly good Italian word, which appalled me, and I !voted in favour of grammar on 5 May.
2. I also found one of those interesting people who "care too much" and had some enjoyable time with him, which was naturally reflected in my contributions. When someone battles over some trivial word, I find it fascinating. There were some interesting people in the "winningest" discussion in January.[10]
3. Travelmite followed me there on 13 May - he was watching my contributions - and !voted the opposite way here.
4. Travelmite does not subscribe to any RfC notification service. Nor does he participate in !votes of any kind unless I am involved in some way. Not one. That's stalking. --Pete (talk) 17:50, 30 August 2016 (UTC)

Travelmite, you say "The accusations above are all false" meaning that you deny that you used proxy accounts. Does that mean the alleged 'Chinese proxy accounts' were simply your IP addresses created automatically by WP because you hadn't signed in (an oversight which you then corrected)? Or do you have any other explanation? The use of the phrase 'proxy' is an accusation of puppetry, which won't be taken lightly at ANI. -Roberthall7 (talk) 14:31, 30 August 2016 (UTC)

Robert, you're entirely correct. I'm not a network expert, but I certainly don't deliberately use proxies and don't use them as far as I am aware. But let's allow Pete/Skring to make the accusations, because that won't be taken lightly either. He is a member of the School of Economic Science, but somehow free of COI restrictions [11] and seeking an interaction ban. Travelmite (talk) 17:42, 30 August 2016 (UTC)

I'd like to believe you, but in that case, could you explain the three diffs above that show you signing your name on edits made using Chinese proxies? It's not possible to "accidentally" use those IPs unless (a) you are in China, or (b) you are trying to hide your actual IP address. Those aren't an "accusation", but a simple fact. Thanks, Black Kite (talk) 17:49, 30 August 2016 (UTC)

It's (a) being in China, and I accept that from you, it's not an accusation. I am extremely fortunate that my explanation is simple enough, as the tactic of Wikipedia:Casting_aspersions and getting others to be suspicious is highly effective. Most people in China are affected by the Censorship of Wikipedia and need to use open proxies (policy here ), but this has not been a problem for me. Furthermore, there has been no activity in the forum to warrant mentioning it in the first place. I deny all allegations, and draw your attention to Pete/Skyrings recent block and, to be fair, his response [12], but I don't know further details. Travelmite (talk) 03:40, 31 August 2016 (UTC)

Travelmite, if you were located in China when doing those IP edits which you then corrected, then it would appear that you did nothing wrong and may have been in receipt of a false accusation of malice. One could also ask whether the word 'Chinese' was used pejoratively to sensationalize the accusation. On that note, have you received fair warning that your activity was being perceived as stalking, prior to this ANI? In other words, have you been given fair opportunity to explain and/or change your behavior before being forced to by Administrators? It may be that this is the first time you've heard the stalking allegation. If so, a formal warning may be more appropriate than an interaction ban, and Keithbob's recommendation not to be shy of using the ANI noticeboard may be the new course you should take, instead of dealing with problematic editors on a piecemeal basis. -Roberthall7 (talk) 08:48, 31 August 2016 (UTC)

These are new allegations. Furthermore they are false. At some point, you were being attacked for being SLA and the page called out about disruptive edits and management of COI issues. Travelmite (talk) 09:43, 31 August 2016 (UTC)

I might have been improperly canvassed, but I might as well comment as I've come to the page. I was involved in the debate at the Australian head of state dispute page. That article has questionable merits, as it seems to have been created to promote a fringe view that the Queen is not Australia's head of state. It had effectively become a debating forum, with endless discussion pages in which the same points were raised time and again. A lot of the discussion was counterproductive and frustrating. Criticism could be made against many of the participants, including me. I don't think Travelmite stood out as doing anything objectionable. I can't comment about his behaviour on other pages.--Jack Upland (talk) 05:36, 31 August 2016 (UTC)

Thanks, Jack! We're not rehashing specific debates. Editors are entitled to their views and we have procedures to deal with diversity of opinion. Seems to be working fine so far, judging by the result. The problem is that Travelmite's contributions since late January consist mostly of him following myself and another editor around the wikipedia on a range of diverse topics, always with a contrary position, always creating discord. I'm looking to put a stop to that. WP:Wikihounding is the topic here. --Pete (talk) 06:52, 31 August 2016 (UTC)

Like Jack, I too question the existence of the Australian head of state dispute article, but of course that's something to discuss 'there. Anyways, I'm going to go neutral on the IBAN & allow other editors (who've not been involved much with either yourself or Travelmite in the past) to decide this one. GoodDay (talk) 10:06, 31 August 2016 (UTC)

I think it's important to look at the context. Pete accused Travelmite of being disruptive of the Australian head of state dispute article in March — [13] — pointing to Travelmite's initial post in January. However, Travelmite's post is recorded in Archive 5. I had started contributing to the Talk pages in September last year, at which point the discussions began to become voluminous. Pete followed this up by calling Travelmite a troll: [14]. Note that Travelmite was essentially saying that the Queen was head of state. Hardly disruptive behaviour in itself. The article now has 8 talk page archives. Travelmite is only featured in a few. All of them feature Pete. This seems more like a case of ownership than trolling.--Jack Upland (talk) 02:29, 1 September 2016 (UTC)

Be fair. I created the article, and maintain an interest. Two other editors also appear in every single archive, and together, with rthree diverse viewpoints, we found a reasonable stability. You came lately, but I don't accuse you of trolling, Jack, because you express a genuine interest, and you haven't followed me around to other unconnected articles. Your behaviour is, on the surface similar to Travelmite's, but I don't accuse you of trolling, now do I? There must be something I see in you that says authenticity. It it is because you come across that way. --Pete (talk) 00:45, 6 September 2016 (UTC)

Interaction edit counts

Using one of the tools available from the WP:Wikihounding page, I have compiled a table of interactions here. --Pete (talk) 07:57, 31 August 2016 (UTC)

The table (all periods) confirms the interactions relate to three issues: Australian head of state dispute (Jan-March 2016), one RfC vote on spelling Panini and the School of Economic Science (July 2016). The table of interactions over the past four months, when the Head of State Dispute was concluded is as follows:Editor Interaction Analyser

The analyser demonstrates beyond doubt how the allegation is false. Travelmite (talk) 10:05, 31 August 2016 (UTC)

To be honest I had already done the edit interaction analysis and found that about 250 (140 the dispute page + 80 wikiproject + 40 their usertalk) of Travelmite's 790 edits are specifically congregated to 3 pages, that 400 or so of the total 790 are on pages that Skyring and Miesianiacal have also edited and that while there is a shocking amount of overlap it doesn't appear to me to be indicative of immediate Wikihounding, especially give that the overlap is across a total of 17 pages for all three editors, 19 for TM and Miesi and 33 for TM and Skyring (which is admittedly a lot), but, taking into account all the time lines; 7 of the overlaps with Miesi are in the past 24 hours with all of them being rather expected, however, this changes drastically in the case of Skyring where about 20 of the overlaps with Pete are in the past 24 hours with one of those being uncharacteristically out of place; Talk:Panini (sandwich). So, I'd discount Wikihounding with respect to Miesi, but, am not so ready to do so in the case of Skyring. Note, of the 20 overlaps I'd consider 15 of these to be entirely expected due to this report, the specific user talk pages, and the mutual interest in politics. It's possible that Panini is an unfortunate outlier and not an intentional following. A better pair of eyes with greater experience is needed to draw a definitive conclusion though, and this is merely my two cents based on what I am seeing and expecting to see. Mr rnddude (talk) 11:06, 31 August 2016 (UTC)

Thanks, Mr rnddude! I think we may discount some edits right off the bat, such as most of Travelmite's contributions on his own talk page. I wouldn't discount any of the Australian politics edits; they all concerned the one topic of Australian head of state. I see the Panini edits and the Brianhe RfA as smoking guns, rather than "unfortunate outliers". It is impossible to explain them as random chance. Travelmite saw them on my contributions, followed me there, and lodged a contrary !vote. --Pete (talk) 11:25, 31 August 2016 (UTC)

• Twelve articles and/or talk pages, totalling 256 edits.
• Nine Wikipedia project pages, totalling 157 edits
• Eight user talk pages, totalling 59 edits.
• Twenty-nine pages in total, of which Travelmite followed me there twenty-three times. 472 edits combined.
• Of Travelmite's 723 edits on en.wikipedia.org during that period, that's an intersection of 65%.
• So of Travelmite's entire Wikipedia contributions, two thirds involve overlapping contributions. If we discount Travelmite's 96 contributes before 26 January 2016, the ratio rises to 75%.

Two things are crystal clear:

1. Travelmite has focused his attention squarely on me to an astonishing degree.
2. Travelmite's claims to the contrary are risible.

I think readers will understand why I find it impossible to believe anything Travelmite says. The facts simply do not support him. --Pete (talk) 11:17, 31 August 2016 (UTC)

There's no smoking gun. Brianhe RfC is easy to explain, because someone suggested I look at that page, and the words are "To see what I mean about community opinions on privacy and managing COI, and about "content not contributor", please have a look at this RFA, especially the concerns raised in the questions and in the oppose !votes" [15]. I didn't know he voted. I voted to spell Panini, because that's how everyone spells it, not because Pete/Skyring spells it Panino. That came up on a list of RfCs. It is inevitable that you will cross an editor who gets involved in thousands of articles every month (Total edits over 4 months: 16,932!).

Several editors hear have more interactions with Pete/Skyring that I do! Skyring also makes tenacious arguments building up the raw edit count, on the two occasions we interacted. On other pages, edits go smoothly and rarely followup is required. Broad statistics must be analysed properly. Thanks Mr rnddude for your conclusions. Travelmite (talk) 13:58, 31 August 2016 (UTC)

Thanks for the Brianhe reference. That's plausible, but it raises the question of what you were doing arguing COI at all. Looking at your contributions, it's as if someone just flipped a switch in late January. The behaviour of the account changes radically, and suddenly instead of making rare trivial edits, you're a COI warrior. The character of the edits in articlespace changes. Even the language used on talk pages changes from almost non-existent and strained (see [16][17][18] for examples) to fluent, confident and plentiful. The difference in character is marked. What happened - you suddenly discover grammar?

I don't buy the Panini story at all. The only RfCs you've participated in have been those involving me. Three of them. I've just reviewed your entire contribution list, and there's no other examples. Not a single other instance of you joining a random RfC discussion. A normal person, looking at the list of current RfCs - and there are hundreds open at any one time - will see many that will pique their interest. In nearly two years you apparently only found one of these interesting enough to participate in, and it just happened to be one where I'd spent a week in animated discussion. Right.

And how do you explain your sudden interest in the School of Economic Science? There's only one explanation. You open up my user contributions to see what I've been doing, and you jump in, aiming to annoy me. That's stalking, and I want it stopped. --Pete (talk) 16:33, 31 August 2016 (UTC)

There is no reason that one vote, once, would annoy a person. A person cannot expect to annoy someone by making one edit. This is not what stalking is and it does not make sense. That would mean any person who happened to vote would annoy you, and that it not their problem. My interest in School of Economic Science was not sudden. The COI issue was there since 2015. This is already documented on the COI noticeboard. Travelmite (talk) 19:49, 31 August 2016 (UTC)

You stalked me by following me to the Panini RfC. You claim that you selected it from a list - of hundreds - after I'd been engaged there for a week of spirited discussion. I reject this as implausible for reasons given earlier. I think you looked at my contributions list, noted my activity, and followed me there. To mark the lamppost, as it were.

The same thing happened with School of Economic Science. You saw my activity and followed me there. How else would you even have been aware of it?

That's stalking. I'd like it stopped. --Pete (talk) 07:29, 1 September 2016 (UTC)

Regarding the statistics, there is a major error in what Pete/Skyring presents. If he is trying to present "stalking" he must have a start date. His start date is prior to our first discussion. His statistics include our first discussion and everything that followed. He also includes this complaint. Apparently, meeting Pete/Skyring and dealing with these complaints all counts as stalking. Therefore the statistics are vastly exaggerated and cannot be relied upon, as per my original reply. Every other interaction (of which there are two) has now been explained. Travelmite (talk) 20:01, 31 August 2016 (UTC)

Whether some of the explanations are able to be swallowed is a different question, I think. Travelmite makes a vaild point here in the beginning and ending points. However, the tool looks at pages edited by both, and isn't the definitive answer. I'd put a narrower definition of stalking than Travelmite does, and say that it constitutes following another user around the wiki to cause disruption.

If we re-run the tool, setting an end date of 16 August, rather than 31 August, we can exclude this discussion we are having now, as well as Travelmite's talk page. I'll keep the same start date of 1 January 2015, because otherwise the tool labels Travelmite as visiting some pages before I did, such as Australian head of state dispute, and that is clearly wrong, because I created the article many years ago, spinning off content from its parent at Government of Australia. I think we can reasonably ignore any line showing more than a week between contributions as not being an interaction. The tool's revised output now shows Travelmite made 346 edits to the same pages as I did, about half his total. --Pete (talk) 17:19, 1 September 2016 (UTC)

Request for Interaction ban

Skyring feels that Travelmite has been wikihounding him, and has presented evidence supporting same. He proposes a two-way interaction ban between himself and Travelmite in order to end this nuisance. What are the feelings of other editors? Should a two-way IBAN be imposed?

• Support IBAN (as proposer). Possibly Miesianiacal could be included, given the outrageous wikihounding by Travelmite against him in January and February this year. --Pete (talk) 22:38, 30 August 2016 (UTC)
• Comment Travelmite's contributions to Talk:Australian head of state dispute were somewhat problematic, without doubting good faith there, while Pete/Skyring has been consistently tenacious (not necessarily a fault). But given the facts presented above, the proposed IBAN may be helpful to all interested parties. Qexigator (talk) 08:10, 31 August 2016 (UTC)
• Support per nom The two of you clearly can't work together in harmony, so I don't see why not. Linguist 111 ^Moi? Moi. 16:27, 31 August 2016 (UTC)
• Commnet - An interaction ban will do nothing to prevent Wikihounding (Please read on as I explain why). I think I need to explain what an interaction ban is and what it does so that both of you (Skyring and Travelmite) are aware of what restrictions it will impose. An interaction ban will impose two main restrictions on the two of you, first you will be barred from each others' pages (meaning talk, user, sandbox, etc) and second, probably more usefully, you will be barred from commenting to each other, pinging each other, commenting about each other, reverting each others' edits and thanking each other (through the thank user for their edit) function. What it will not do is prevent you from overlapping on any article page; you will both be able to edit any article page and join the same discussions on article talk pages. This is the main sticking point for my current oppose comment, Skyring, I believe you want to avoid not only interacting, but, overlapping with the other editor. An IBAN will not impose such a restriction and your concerns about Wikihounding won't be reasonably addressed by an IBAN. The reason I bring this up is because of Panini and Brianhe, neither of those incidents would violate an IBAN because neither of those incidents actually involved an interaction. It is because of this that I see little value in an IBAN. I think that you should (probably will have to) both wait for an administrator (Black Kite is one) or significantly experienced user to join this discussion. So far, Linguist and myself appear to be the only completely uninvolved parties to comment here and I don't think either of us meet the "experienced" threshold for this situation. Mr rnddude (talk) 23:01, 31 August 2016 (UTC)

Thanks, Mr rnddude! I've read your comments and appreciate the thought you have put into them. Yes, you are correct: the IBAN restrictions wouldn't prevent Travelmite from following me around and !voting in whatever RfCs etc. I participate in. That's not a problem, to be honest. All these public votes are open to all Wikipedians, and I believe the right for all Wikipedians in good standing to participate in our consensomocracy is something worth fighting for. Even if I personally disagree with the opinions expressed.

I raised the Brianhe and Panini examples as evidence of wikihounding. Travelmite gave a plausible explanation of the Brianhe RfA, and the evidence checks out. But he was unable to explain how he followed me to the Panini RfC. Well, he said he picked it from a list, but I don't believe this; since early 2015 he's participated in only three RfCs, all of which have involved me. I think I would have participated in maybe a dozen or so over that time - perhaps someone can check - out of the hundreds, maybe thousands of RfCs raised. Chances of complete congruence, if we posit only a thousand RfCs in that period, are 12/1000 * 11/999 * 10/998 , or one chance in 755 000. So I find his answer a little hard to swallow!

I want an IBAN for the following reason. In late January 2016 I accepted an IBAN (against my wishes, for the sort of reasoning you outline above). If I may be excused a minor indirect reference, both sides have adhered to the conditions, and the ANI drama dropped off. Since then I have this Travelmite thing popping up, and I'd like the same solution applied. --Pete (talk) 02:19, 1 September 2016 (UTC)

I was out when you responded, and have been aware of your response for a few hours. I think I see what you're referring to, mostly what you want is to not have to interact with Travelmite regardless of whether you two end up on the same pages or whatever. I can see how this may be beneficial, even if you are being followed at least you're not also being forced to interact. I can see this being beneficial to both parties, but, only if both parties are willing to adhere to it. Otherwise the outcome will be further drama and another report either at AN/I or one of the other administrative noticeboards. For the time being I'm going to demote my Oppose vote to a Comment. I'd like to see a mutual agreement to an IBAN as this is generally the only way to avoid further drama. Mr rnddude (talk) 09:16, 1 September 2016 (UTC)

• Support IBAN - In early August I gave Travelmite a warning on his talk page because of his/her unwarranted aggression towards Pete. It's clear from this thread alone that both parties are fully invested in this dispute and there is a strong charge between them. An IBAN is the prudent thing to do to avoid further escalation. -- — Keithbob • Talk • 18:33, 2 September 2016 (UTC) PS I also gave Pete a warning in mid-July so neither of these parties has clean hands. I strongly support an IBAN.-- — Keithbob • Talk • 19:06, 2 September 2016 (UTC)

I think your comments to me were directed at a different topic (which could well be explored here under a different thread), but never mind. It wasn't Travelmite's edits as such I found objectionable, merely the fact that he'd come after me again and again. It's like having some kind of persistent parasite. --Pete (talk) 22:30, 2 September 2016 (UTC)

• Absolute, unequivocal OPPOSE As almost any veteran editor who contributes to this space regularly can tell you, these kinds of prophylactic/self requested IBANS (and indeed IBANS generally) are ill-advised, counter-intuitive, counter-productive and almost absolutely certain to generate more disruption, and consume more wasted community effort in bringing things into order, than they (the IBANs) can ever be reasonably expected to prevent. If two editors are already working in the same areas, and IBAN will not prevent their orbits from continuing to cross. The pretty much inevitable result of these encounters is that one or the other party (or both!) flies here immediately to try to leverage the IBAN to get the other editor out of their way. And they don't have to wait until somebody crosses the line into incivility or disruption; by virtue of the IBAN, they get to instantly assert that every content disagreement they have is in fact "behavioural issue" that is appropriate for this forum; long-winded, unproductive discussion insues, often with no consensus result other than for the parties to be sent to their respective corners with a caution. Then, within a couple of months (or weeks, or yes, indeed sometimes days) the parties are back here with carbon-copy counter-accusations of violating the IBAN again. And so it goes, over and over and over. And this happens with almost every IBAN handed down via ANI (as opposed to ARBCOM, which has a more effective, standardized, and streamlined enforcement mechanism for formal cases) and especially those that come at the request of one or both parties (each of whom can view it as a means to clear the other editor from their path, so long as they stake out territory, such as particular articles or subject matter in the areas where they work and "secure" it against the other editor's influence).

Which brings us to the other reason why IBANs are generally so mind-bogglingly short-sighted; they discourage editors in conflict from adopting the basic principles and tools of collaborative editing that define this project. If an editor can come to such vehement conflict with one person that they just cannot drop the stick and work through an issue reasonably with the aid of the consensus process and community request tools, then they absolutely are capable of developing that entrenched mentality in general, with other editors. It's really simple: if editors cannot sort out issues between themselves and one or both fall into disruptive behaviours, sanctions should result for all parties the community judges to be disruptive. If said editors repeatedly fail to clear loggerheads with others, then there's a good chance they do not have the disposition this project requires, in order that a contribute without consuming more community effort than is offset by their contributions. Regardless, the absolutely number one wrong-headed thing we can do (as this forum has born out time and time again) is to give them an excuse to not amicably resolve their disagreement (or at least bring in others and let consensus decide) and then give them a tool which allows them to bring their petty dispute to behavioural forum every time they get a glance of eachother and their hackles raise. I've said this before on this topic in recent years and I'll say it again after reviewing this particular instance: no, no, no--a thousand times NO! Snow ^{let's rap} 19:32, 7 September 2016 (UTC)

Thanks, Snow Rise. An interesting opinion. Two points.

1. This isn't about two editors working in the same areas. This is about one editor following another one around. It's about WP:Wikihounding. I think an IBAN will fix this.
2. I entered into an IBAN with another editor in late January. There have been no ANI reports raised over that in the eight months since.

Perhaps your very worthy opinions on IBANs are aimed at other cases, and if you were to review the many contributions put forth in discussion here, you might see why this isn't like the scenarios you raise. --Pete (talk) 22:09, 7 September 2016 (UTC)

Civility / personal attacks / End of request

In writing and responding, Pete/Skying appears to be breaching talk-page guidelines. This is a stressful series of ongoing accusations now going over four days. Various refutations of the allegations, which I have provided, have done nothing but caused increased incivility, perhaps even paranoia. Anyway, this has become an ongoing public attack, dressed up as an IBAN request to make seem acceptable to support. This is not solving harassment - this is the harassment. Details of offensive language, aspersions etc... are detailed below for the record.

1. WP:CIVIL Civility: "I find it impossible to believe anything Travelmite says", "What happened - you suddenly discover grammar?", "his dishonest denials", "this account is fraudulent"
2. WP:CLAIMS Excessive claims: "most of what Travelmite has done here is to harass Mies and myself", "Both articles were, prior to Travelmite's involvement, stable articles", "you jump in, aiming to annoy me", "It is an unhealthy fixation", "Travelmite has focused his attention squarely on me to an astonishing degree" (So Freudian!)
3. Wikipedia:Casting_aspersions: "always with a contrary position, always creating discord", "it's as if someone just flipped a switch", "This account edits via Chinese proxies" (wrong), "not subscribe to any RfC notification service", "This is not the usual manner in which editors begin their service here."
4. WP:TE Tendentious editing: "That's plausible, but it raises the question of what you were doing arguing COI at all", Replying to most comments with the same information, Refuting all comments that disagree
5. WP:FAIT Erroneous Conclusions/Fait accompli: "There's only one explanation" (there's more), "It is impossible to explain them as random chance", " I see the Panini edits and the Brianhe RfA as smoking guns" (they weren't).
6. WP:OUTING (partial): The country where I work was revealed due to WP:DOX Doxing
7. Wikipedia:Inaccuracy Statistics erroneously included this complaint and the initial interactions.

That's more than enough to get the idea. Someone should have picked up that this was happening. In conclusion, the IBAN request is moot. My "punishment" is a self-imposed block, so I can get real work done. Bye!

P.S. Linguist111 - good luck as your experience builds. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Travelmite (talk • contribs) 22:43, 31 August 2016 (UTC)

I'm sorry if you feel upset. I'm just trying to clear up the differences between us. You say you have refuted the points I made, but on examination, this turns out not to be the case. Let's take your points one by one.

My comment, "What happened - you suddenly discover grammar?" was not a personal attack. There is nothing wrong with your grammar now. However, the contributions of this account prior to late January were very different. It is plain to see. It is as if a different person were contributing, one who wrote in a very different way. (See [19][20][21] for examples). Likewise in Wikivoyage, we see tortured, stilted English, such as this example. The contributions in articlespace were very different to what followed. Most of the year's contributions came on two days, and they were markedly different from anything done since. So what explains the vivid change? --Pete (talk) 06:21, 1 September 2016 (UTC)

@Skyring: "What happened - you suddenly discover grammar?"—that was a personal attack, and with the comment above you appear to be gaming the system by "walking it back" instead of apologising. Travelmite, I'm sorry for suggesting you should be blocked; I was too hasty and didn't address the situation properly by listening to both sides first and looking closer. On observing the situation, what's evident is that we have someone who feels they're being hounded, and someone who feels they're on the receiving end of false accusations. The two parties are not reaching any common ground, and this is turning into a battle between them. If Skyring feels an IBAN is necessary to cut off all contact from Travelmite and put an end to this dispute, then I see no reason not to go ahead with it. Linguist 111 ^Moi? Moi. 11:13, 1 September 2016 (UTC)

I'm sorry? How is that a personal attack? I'm asking for an explanation of the two very different styles of English before and after late January 2016. I've provided samples of the first style; it is strained, the syntax and punctuation (particularly commas) are ungrammatical, it doesn't flow. Try reading it out loud; it is choppy and stiff. In comparison, the account shifts to a more natural and grammatical style in late January. I won't say it's poetical, but it certainly reads more fluently. The change is immediate and dramatic. Combined with a likewise dramatic shift in contribution patterns, it seems to me that this one account has been run by two different people, and I'm wondering if there is some explanation for this, perhaps something to do with the use of Chinese proxies. --Pete (talk) 11:49, 1 September 2016 (UTC)

It seems like a personal attack to me. It looks like a sarcastic comment about someone's intellect. Linguist 111 ^Moi? Moi. 12:02, 1 September 2016 (UTC)

It's a comment on grammar, not intellect. We can see for ourselves. Before:

There such a long discussion about it. There must be someone here who is objecting to it being changed? Look, let me put it this way. At the moment, your are thinking only in US current-affairs mode. In South Africa, white people once got an unequivocal privilege to vote, so that alone is probably enough to justify the wording. If there is a political proposal, fictional world or legal case involving or clearly allowing such privileges, it's also enough to justify the wording. I also checked also how it's handled in other articles.[22] - 21 December 2015

After:

None of the sources support this notion of a dispute except for some minor monarchist-republican debate in the late 1990's. If it was just that, no problem. But the government position is clear. The Queen's position is clear. The academic position is clear, in that they reasonably distinguish between de jure and de facto roles.[23] - 28 January 2016

The difference is clear. --Pete (talk) 16:22, 1 September 2016 (UTC)

Whatever it was, it was still an attack. Linguist 111 ^Moi? Moi. 18:13, 1 September 2016 (UTC)

Not intended as such. Perhaps more my sensitive soul being injured at the mishandling of the English language I see in the early Travelmite contributions. To my eye, such prose grates. At least the later contributions are easier to understand. --Pete (talk) 22:40, 1 September 2016 (UTC)

• Statement to Travelmite: I support your closing statement above. Perhaps you could have been more polite in your defense. But you are not the main troublemaker here squandering community time and good will, Pete/Skyring is. You’ve understood that the way you have attempted to deal with disruptive behaviour may be counter-productive and can jeopardize your own standing. Your decision to disengage from Pete/Skyring from now on is the right thing to do. If it comes to any more of his disruption, please now go straight to ANI rather than ignoring it. Your contributions to School of Economic Science have moderated Pete/Skyring’s disruption there, and have therefore made Wikipedia a better place. I don’t know of your past missteps, and assume you are as capable of changing your ways as anyone is.
• Statement to Administrators: I am not going to participate in Pete/Skyring’s vote proposing the imposition of equal discipline on both him and Travelmite. First of all such a double ban would appear to be a way of consoling Pete/Skyring, by getting someone else disciplined with him soon after he was last disciplined: [24] Secondly the vote could be a case attention-seeking; per WP:DEM, Wikipedia is not a democracy and afaia ANI is a place for Administrators to take action, not to spend hours in debate about whether "he did it too". Travelmite says he wasn’t given a warning before this ANI, so he'll take this as his first warning. Besides, he has now voluntarily disengaged from Pete/Skyring, as I did several weeks ago.
• Possible action part 1: A future step could be a topic ban on Pete/Skyring to stop him disrupting the articles where Travelmite attempted to stop him causing disruption. On that note, Panini was a Sanskrit scholar; Sanskrit is taught by the church, school, cult or new religious movement known as the School of Economic Science, which Pete/Skyring says he is a member of. So the two articles are part of the same area of interest. Something needs to be done to prevent his continued disruption to this project. If Travelmite is stepping back, an Administrator needs to step up, otherwise this ANI will not be the last of it.
• Possible action part 2: It is important to assess whether some of Pete/Skyring’s allegations against Travelmite in this ANI have been false, defamatory to him and time-wasting for the community. The allegations have involved a personal attack, as explained by Linguist111 (who had been supporting Pete/Skyring’s case). Pete/Skyring then argued with Linguist111 about it being a personal attack. These allegations also come so soon after Pete/Skyring’s own last block, which he told the sanctioning Administrator Floquenbeam “was a little hasty”, that one of their assumptions was “plain wrong” and therefore asked to be unblocked: [25] It matters little whether Pete/Skyring is deceiving himself, or attempting to deceive others, or both; he’s clearly not learning to change his ways, despite ample opportunity as indicated by his long block history: [26] Another multi-week block may be in order. -Roberthall7 (talk) 15:53, 1 September 2016 (UTC)

One thing I've noticed is that both Travelmite and Skyring are saying "I've done nothing wrong. It's all [the other editor]'s fault.", so it's hard to tell who is actually in the right here. Skyring has made blatant personal attacks. Travelmite has been accused of stalking and hounding. If Skyring feels they've been hounded, I don't feel I'm in a position to say they haven't. It may have been Travelmite's intention to hound Skyring, or there may have been no intention at all. Linguist 111 ^Moi? Moi. 16:24, 1 September 2016 (UTC)

Um, I don't recall saying I've done nothing wrong. I'm as human and fallible as the next person, and I frequently make the most appalling errors. Just ask my wife. I'm a big boy and can accept that. What I want is for Travelmite to cease his vigilante quest against me. Let him seek other targets. Clearly he is a person of some intellect and determination. --Pete (talk) 16:39, 1 September 2016 (UTC)

Let me say this about Roberthall7's contribution above. S/he only edits on one subject, and s/he has some distinctive views. I would dearly love to get a busload of neutral editors to go through the School of Economic Science article, untangle some of the sources, and provide a counter-balance for any extremist voices. --Pete (talk) 16:39, 1 September 2016 (UTC)

What I meant was you both seem to be putting the blame on the other person. Linguist 111 ^Moi? Moi. 18:10, 1 September 2016 (UTC)

I think I have good reason to be critical of Travelmite's actions. From my perspective, he's come here, seemingly out of nowhere, and launched attack after attack on me. After seeing Travelmite's outrageous attempt at outing Miesiniacal, I think I'm justified in being wary. I could list the many personal attacks Travelmite has made on me. Would that be useful, do you think? --Pete (talk) 22:40, 1 September 2016 (UTC)

Sure, go ahead. Linguist 111 ^Moi? Moi. 09:29, 2 September 2016 (UTC)

Further statement to Administrators: With this edit [27] Pete/Skyring slipped in the above new section heading. He has positioned it immediately above my comment, which now gives observers the impression that the section heading was added by me. So he's edited my comment. As indicated in my comment, I was specifically replying to User:Travelmite's closing remarks his section entitled Civility / personal attacks / End of request and addressing Administrators about it; I had no wish to comment outside that section. Moreover Pete/Skyring's section heading is a phrase that he has homed in on from my comment, and a question mark added, which appears to be yet more sarcasm. It doesn't reflect my full comment and distracts from it. If ANI discussion is treated the same as Talk page discussion, then this goes against WP:TPO, WP:TALKNEW section 'Keep headings neutral' and WP:VANDAL section 'Talk page vandalism'. -Roberthall7 (talk) 19:50, 1 September 2016 (UTC)

Thanks, Roberthall7! You began your contribution on the left margin, rather than following the indentation rules, so I assumed you were responding to no previous comment, just opening up a new section. So I gave it a heading to avoid confusion. No offence intended, just trying to keep things straight on what is becoming a complex discussion. I liked one of the phrases you used, thought it kinda catchy. Never mind. I've deleted it now, fixed the indentation, all sweet. --Pete (talk) 22:28, 1 September 2016 (UTC)

I think we need to clarify what Pete's allegation against Travelmite is. The claims about the change in grammar and the use of Chinese proxy accounts imply that Travelmite is a hijacked sock puppet. Based on the grammmar, Pete seems to think someone else (with better grammar) took over the original Travelmite account. I'm not sure why someone would do this when they could just create a new account. As I understand it, the reference to Chinese proxy accounts implies that someone is trying to hide his or her identity. However, it appears Travelmite is actually in China, and has made China-related edits. I don't think Travelmite has been behaving like a sock puppet because when he started editing Australian head of state dispute he appeared to have just found the article, and made an inaccurate statement he had to retract. I would have thought that a sock puppet would be used by someone familiar with the article. The obvious suspect for puppet-master would be me, as I appeared on the scene a few months before and got into debates with Pete. Is that what Pete is suggesting? If not, then the talk about grammar and the Chinese accounts seems irrelevant.--Jack Upland (talk) 10:45, 2 September 2016 (UTC)

Yes. Well, kind of. I don't think the account is hijacked, but the only explanation that makes sense to me is that it was set up as a "sleeper" account, and for a year it made nothing but trivial edits - adding articles to a category using an established list, and moving some text around in another article. Basically, the account had two days of editing in its first year. And then suddenly everything about it changes. The nature of the edits, the frequency of contributions, the style of language used. It's a metamorphosis. Nothing I've ever seen before.

Using Chinese IP proxies allows the account to operate without the usual sort of checks. Because of the nature of Chinese internet, proxies are used to reduce the chance of being arrested for what we would consider normal activities. There's none of the freedom of expression we in the West take for granted, but of course there is the desire to express freely. Chinese IP proxies are readily available and ever-changing. Just do a search and you'll find lists of dozens. These can be used by anyone in the world.

This sets up a conundrum for Wikipedia. We don't want to stop a huge and increasingly sophisticated population from contributing to our shared effort, but these accounts must necessarily operate outside the normal Checkuser procedures. There are ways to avoid even more intense scrutiny, and with the very real chance of being disappeared and used for organ harvesting, these ways are employed.

So it sets up a loophole for those who want to operate outside Wikipedia's regular procedures. Use Chinese proxies, be careful to use the right privacy tools, and you can avoid detection through technological means. I think that there is a market for this sort of thing. Not just Wikipedia, but packages of established email addresses, social media accounts, software setups and so on. You want to play multiple accounts in a MMO game, just buy the kit from a friend of a friend who knows someone who does this.

In this case, I don't think the article was the target. Travelmite's contributions didn't show any familiarity with the topic. They showed two objectives: to irritate Miesianiacal and myself.

I don't know who or why, but I do know that there are editors on Wikipedia who are driven by urges beyond the desire to contribute to the world's store of information, and I've certainly encountered a few of them in my career here. I'm sure Mies has as well. Buying or establishing a second account to satisfy some inner personal desire for revenge or whatever seems plausible to me. Not normal, but there are people on the internet who do bizarre things for bizarre reasons.

Anyway, whatever it is that is driving the Travelmite account to follow me around Wikipedia isn't really my concern. I just want the stalking to stop. --Pete (talk) 20:03, 2 September 2016 (UTC)

Sorry, Jack. My comment above didn't address your question. No, I had never considered you as the sockmaster for a moment. I'd always regarded you as an honest, straightforward person. Taking a contrary position to mine on one matter, but that's no sin; I think we share views on most other Australian political issues. If I had thought you were running this account, I would have filed a report at the sockpuppet investigations page. But no, I'm honestly unable to name anyone I suspect is the sockmaster. --Pete (talk) 19:41, 3 September 2016 (UTC)

Thanks. I didn't feel that this was directed at me, but I couldn't think who else the sockmaster could be. As you said, the Australian head of state dispute is a fairly obscure article. Yes, people do bizarre things, but we have to look at the balance of probabilities. I think Travelmite is a bona fide editor. His early edits show a knowledge of and interest in the neighbourhoods of Beijing. This seems to confirm that he was indeed a resident of China, which explains the Chinese IP addresses. I haven't done a linguistic analysis, but I don't think that there is a significant change in language in Travelmite's contributions. His prose might be sloppy at times, but that's normal. And I don't see the relevance of this. I also don't see how you can say he came "seemingly out of nowhere". Wikipedia is not "invitation only". His story checks out. He says his interest in the topic was prompted by Australia Day (26 January). He began editing at Republicanism in Australia the next day, and then moved on to the Australian head of state dispute, probably following the link. Many people are prompted to contribute to articles based on events, anniversaries, etc. He started out making the following comment, which he had to retract: "I have checked the history of this article, and it is written by two monarchists non-Australians." Now, based on the evidence of the discussion, you are an Australian and a republican. Yet you started the article. It doesn't appear Travelmite knew you at all. He didn't arrive there to target you. It appears he stumbled on the article and was outraged at the apparent monarchist POV-pushing. I understand that, because I felt the same way. On the evidence, it appears that your darker suspicions of Travelmite are groundless.--Jack Upland (talk) 07:49, 4 September 2016 (UTC)

"It appears he stumbled on the article." My italics. If you are running a sock, you don't usually want to get found out. Hence the plausible narrative. I don't think it stacks up, becuase the edits for the whole preceding year were so very different. Basically all of the 96 edits for 2015 came on two days: 21 January and 21 December. Those in January were on Chinese articles, for sure, but needed zero knowledge of China. They were just adding articles to categories according to the list already existing here. And the December contributions had nothing to do with China at all. Just a matter of moving text around. Then, nothing until 27 January, and within a day he's a full-blown warrior making attacks every day on Mies and myself. Day after day all through February and March. Displaying a familiarity with wikiprocess not explained by the unconroversial edits preceding. That's a massive change in the nature of the account. I've never seen anything like it.

But, be that as it may, Travelmite went on to follow me to various other articles. His explanation for joining the Panini RfC is thin and implausible, and no explanation at all was given for attacking me at the School of Economic Science article. Neither of those are explained by an interest in Australian political subjects. It's entirely personal. And I'd like that sort of stalking ended. --Pete (talk) 12:25, 4 September 2016 (UTC)

It seems the relevant issues have become jumbled up with many impertinent matters here. I trust I didn't worsen that situation by raising my past dealings with Travelmite. What he did was, in truth, "come out of nowhere" in the sense that I only became aware of his existence because he started attacking me; I'd never heard of Travelmite before this nasty post on 27 January 2016. He very quickly thereafter introduced himself to the "regulars" at Talk:Australian head of state dispute by way of another, albeit less direct, attack against two editors at that article (which you've quoted). So, yes, Travelmite did "come out of nowhere" with a rancor totally surprising and incomprehensible to the targets of it.

How this relates to hounding or stalking is: Travelmite proceeded to put a laser focus on me and make a concentrated effort to out me. He didn't really follow me, but he did go from forum to forum (Talk:Australian head of state dispute, WP:COIN, his own talk page, WP:VPP) trying to find a loophole or get one created so he could write on Wikipedia what he thought my name is without being banned for it. Then he made the off-Wiki page and linked it to my talk via a comment left there by an anon IP located in, guess where... China. And, as to your remark about how people come across articles on certain topics on certain anniversaries, here's what I had to say about that in my own report of Travelmite to AN/I:

"It's interesting to ponder how it is you determined within less than the span of Australia Day that the page was under some kind of control by the Monarchist League of Canada; you make the assertion in the summary for your very first edit ever to the article. More interesting still is that you made that claim, plus the personal attacks and accusations against me, not after you 'followed the chequered history to the source', but based on 'evidence' that was, by your own admission, not on Wikipedia. And it took you only a max of 40 minutes to go through 10 years' worth of my edit history to apparently find some 'proof'? It leads one to wonder who you are and possibly also who's been feeding you misinformation off-Wiki and why."

Those strong suggestions of Travelmite having been either prepped or prepping before launching his first attack, plus all the rest of the above, is, to me, anyway, the definition of stalking.

Though he's been less intense with Pete/Skyring, I do see the similarities: following someone to an article, making constant bad-faith accusations, and getting as close as he can to identifying someone (deeming them to be a member of an organization) while using "conflict of interest" as a justification for doing so and an attempt to prevent Pete/Skyring from editing the article. --₪ MIESIANIACAL 16:02, 9 September 2016 (UTC)

Conclusion

Just an observation. It doesn't appear as though any action is going to be taken here. GoodDay (talk) 11:52, 10 September 2016 (UTC)

Reminds me of my late uncle, who planned on living forever. He'd restate this at each birthday, declaring, "So far, so good."

It's a big ask for any admin. Maybe this should be kicked upstairs to Arbcom. The Travelmite account is an example of a "sleeper" account, set up a year in advance of use, as a sockpuppet account untraceable to any existing Wikipedia account.

• It uses untraceable IP proxy addresses.

• In its first year of operation, it only edits on two days, making no substantive edits. 96 essentially pointless edits, like adding suburb articles to a city category.

• The rare examples of original prose reveal English so strained and tortured that it is clear that the writer is not a native speaker.

• Suddenly in late January 2016, the sleeper comes to life. The edit count shoots up, the writing style changes from tortured to fluent, a clear direction and intelligence is observed.

• First, Travelmite makes an outrageous attack on Miesianiacal, which is sudden, vicious and determined in its intensity. A radical change from previous contributions, and incidentally one that reveals an excellent familiarity with Wikipedia's processes.

• Next he turns his attention to me, making similar spurious attacks - even approaching Arbcom members from over a decade ago - and following me from article to article, always taking a contrary position, always trying to stir up trouble.

• All but a handful of edits after January 2016 were directed at Mies and myself.

• Until I discreetly raised this matter on Jimbo's talk page, when the behaviour changed suddenly, with a new focus on an anodyne article.

• Be this as it may, I am unable to say who could be doing this, so I can't make a sockpuppet request, which would go nowhere, due to this account's use of proxy IPs to edit.

• I've made my case for stalking. I want an IBAN to bring this behaviour to a close.

• My previous (and continuing) IBAN works fine. Established in January 2016, it has worked well, with not a peep from the other guy.

• The !votes above are generally supportive of an IBAN. One editor, who has apparently read nothing else in the discussion, not even the thread title of "stalking", is an outlier.

• The matter of untouchable sleeper accounts, with a strong smell of being set up for later sale and use, is something above my pay grade. Perhaps ArbCom could direct some technical resources that way. Where there's one, there are bound to be more.

For me, I just want the stalking and harassment brought to a close. Let whoever is running this account find new targets. --Pete (talk) 18:07, 10 September 2016 (UTC)

Counter-proposal

The evidence above is unambiguous: Travelmite is stalking Skyring. I propose:

• Travelmite (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) is forbidden from making any claims of conflict of interest against other editors, and from editing any article or associated talk page where (a) xe has not previously edited and (b) an edit has been made in the last 14 days by Skyring.

I think an IBAN won't fly and is in any case iniquitous because Skyring is not the problem. This is a unilateral solution to a problem caused by the actions of one editor. Guy (Help!) 08:31, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

User:SwisterTwister

SwisterTwister (talk · contribs) has incorrectly stated to users that an interation ban is in effect when no actual formal interaction ban has occured. An example from today is located here, and another recent example is here (see also, user response here). It is inappropriate to state that interaction bans exist when they have not occurred via formal processes, which amounts to casting WP:ASPERSIONS against other users. I have noticed that SwisterTwister frequently uses the "silent treatment" against users to limit communication. Here are some diff examples in addition to those above: [28], [29], [30], [31], [32], [33], [34], [35], [36].

These behaviors could be potentially perceived as Wikipedia:Gaming the system, using such statements in an intentional manner as a technique to avoid any type of criticism, essentially trying to silence any opposition or concerns, because if a user then attempts to communicate directly about genuine, important concerns, (even in a calm, civil manner, as I have always done), the user can then just point to behavioral guidelines and threaten to go to ANI and such. I'm not stating that gaming is certainly occurring, but it could potentially be. While I understand that the user apparently just wants to be left alone, it is reasonable that questionable deletion nominations, prods, etc. will be challenged. Also, the user nominates a great deal of articles for deletion, and per this high rate, it is reasonable that some editors will have questions or concerns. The user has also requested to not communicate with me at this AfD discussion, which I have respected.

Inre this diff, it is concerning and inappropriate for the user to make demands to another user to not deprod articles they have prodded. Also, users have repeatedly asked the user to consider slowing down over a significant period of time, to follow proper procedures, etc. at ANI (here, here and here) and other than at ANI (e.g. [37], [38], [39], [40], [41], [42], [43], [44]).

In regard to performing AfC reviews, the user has many queries on their talk page from users, but rarely responds to any of them. This is concerning because reviewers should be open to providing input regarding reasonable queries from other users in relation to their AfC submissions.

Additional discussion regarding this user is located at User talk:E.M.Gregory § Re: thank you for noticing, which includes discussion about the user's AfD nominations and other matters. The discussion includes commentary from several users, including three administrators in addition to myself. Seeking community input at this time about this user's behaviors and actions. North America¹⁰⁰⁰ 05:23, 30 August 2016 (UTC)

I have notified users on their talk pages about this discussion who contributed to/were pinged to User:E.M.Gregory's talk page and those in the links above. North America¹⁰⁰⁰ 06:07, 30 August 2016 (UTC)

A request from one user to another not to comment on each other is usually honored, tho it is not a formal interaction ban. Even a request to let other people be the ones to deal with someone's work is not altogether unreasonable, if it can serve to decrease interpersonal problems. . Even a request to let others be the ones to deprod articles can be justified. Most of us do avoid taking even routine action against any particular editor with who one is at odds, to avoid any feeling that there might be some degrwe of prejudice or personal involvement. But I do know I would never make such statements, certainly not in the manner ST is making them--as the event proves, they are much more likely to arouse interpersonal hostility than to reduce it.

There is no formal obligation to respond to another editor whose article one has tagged for deletion . But most people do, even if all they say is "I only tagged it, please take it up with the admin who deleted it." In general it is a good idea to respond to anyone other than an obvious troll, because we want whenever possible to make sure people understand we are considering each article for its merits, not acting indiscriinatly or mechanically. (This is different from the obligation of an admin to respond about articles they have deleted, where it is considered necessary to give a good faith explanation, but that is not in question here.) It's difficult to say when carelessness in this respect becomes a problem, but I think ST needs to be much more careful here; it is indeed necessary to remove bad articles, but it is not up to any one of us individually to hold the dike; each person should do only as much as they do carefully and respond to properly. DGG ( talk ) 08:08, 30 August 2016 (UTC)

• Thank you for notifying me about this Northamerica1000. I often frequent AfD and AfC to a lesser extent, but I only noticed ST's peculiar behaviour at AfD when performing non-admin closures. I find it concerning that he uses the same ambiguous argument for each deletion discussion in which he partakes. Although ST describes himself as a deletionist, it is definitely concerning for me when he continues to !vote to delete articles where other editors have taken the time to improve the article. For example, here and here. The lack of care and attention really is striking and the failure to revisit deletion discussions is a disappointment. AfD is not a vote; it's a discussion, something which ST does not adhere to. I posted on his talk page as per the link above, but I received no such reply about his AfD contributions. Every editor should be open for constructive criticism for their edits, but, not in this case it seems. --st170e^talk 12:56, 30 August 2016 (UTC)

• Comment SwisterTwister came to my attention over time as I began to recognize his name because his frequent iVotes at AFD were often literally unintelligible, because his opinions were so clearly contrary to evidence that I or other editors had presented, and because articles he so often brought articles to AFD with an assertion that his searches have found no significant sources, and yet by even doing something so simple as clicking HighBeam in the tool bar in Swister's nomination statement proved the contrary. [[45]] He edits so incredibly fast that I am almost persuaded that he simply takes pages with a smallish number of sources and editors, and throws them up at AFD without searching at all - or even without reading some of them. And that his iVotes at AFD are exactly what they look like: opinions rendered without querying the sources. (Copious examples brought by several uses in discussion on my talk page [46].) The problem with all of this is not only that it wastes a tremendous amount of editorial time, but that it makes WP a frustrating and unpleasant place to work. One editor in that discussion states [47] that Swister's "belligerence" is one reason why he has stopped giving his time to editing Wikipedia. I am in strong sympathy with that sentiment. Swister cannot, in my experience, be swayed from a deletion position once taken. In Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Shelley Webb, the AFD where I lost my ability to WP:AGF when dealing with Swister, I was clearly exasperated by the time of my Aug. 3 edit, the one that starts "A confession and an hypothesis..." Swister's arrogant, stubborn refusal to consider that he might have acted hastily show why I have come to the conclusion that SwisterTwister's editing is a problem that needs to be addressed.E.M.Gregory (talk) 13:47, 30 August 2016 (UTC)
• Question - I agree ST's "stay away from me" comments, objecting to deprods and comments/questions at AfD, are completely inappropriate. It seems that's what this thread is about, but it seems to also be about other ST-related issues? My question is whether ST saying "ok I won't do that anymore" with regard to self-imposed "interaction bans" would resolve this thread, or if this is more of an RfC/U sort of thing? — Rhododendrites ^talk \\ 14:22, 30 August 2016 (UTC)
• Comment I am very familiar with SwisterTwister because I do a lot of work at AfD. I will limit my comments at this time to the issue NorthAmerica1000 raises: the supposed "interaction ban" that ST likes to invoke. As far as I can tell there are no formal interaction bans involving ST. It is not possible for a user to create one simply by telling the other editor to "leave me alone". It IS possible to say to someone, "stay off my talk page," and such requests are usually expected to be honored. But that's a user's own talk page. Things like "don't de-prod things that I have prodded," "don't comment at AfD's I nominate" - that kind of demand is invalid and frankly a little ridiculous. (Example: "Stay away from me, that means anything including DePRODing. You repeatedly violate time after time".[48]) People who routinely patrol PRODs and AfDs are going to continue to do so, and no user has the right to say "don't do that on anything I initiate". In fact, if a user feels there is a systemic problem with another user's nominations, they are entitled and perhaps obligated to seek them out for evaluation. (In ST's case, the record shows that only 58.7% of ST's AfD nominations actually get deleted, which may be a valid reason to subject them to special scrutiny.) My reaction to this report is that ST should be instructed not to claim an interaction ban when none exists, and he should be told to stop personalizing the deletion process in this way. I did comment on ST's participation in the AfD process at E.M.Gregory's talk page, but that is not the issue being raised here. --MelanieN (talk) 14:31, 30 August 2016 (UTC)

• Responding to Rhododendrites' question, SwisterTwisters dismissive response to questions raised by other editors is a problem, a particularly destructive problem for the project when he is interacting with new and new-ish editors. But it is only one of the serious problems with this editor.E.M.Gregory (talk) 14:48, 30 August 2016 (UTC)

• To be clear, I know there are a number of issues. My question was primarily to clarify the scope of this thread, as bringing in his style of AfD comments and AfD stats broadens the topic from behavior towards other users to the content/style/manner of project contributions. ST has a number of detractors, based on previous ANI threads, and without a clear scope this might spin out of control and end with an overly complex or radical proposal fails to find consensus. FWIW. Maybe I'm wrong, though. :) Might be useful to have subsections for the different issues if they're all to be tackled at once, though. — Rhododendrites ^talk \\ 15:02, 30 August 2016 (UTC)

• I agree with MelanieN, and would add that not wanting to interact is one thing, but outright stating that one is on a ban when they are not, especially on a forum that potentially the whole community will see, is bang out of order. That can do severe (perhaps irreparable, as some people really do believe there's no smoke without fire) damage to their reputation. When he said I'm on such a ban, I assumed he had me confused with someone else; had I been aware of the other cases, I'd have brought it to ANI myself. I have other issues with ST (such as apparent WP:OWNership of edits, as others have mentioned), but I think that's the main one being addressed here, so I'll leave my comment at that for now. Adam9007 (talk) 16:14, 30 August 2016 (UTC)

• My personal feeling is that this discussion should be just about the so-called interaction bans. Rather than expand this into a huge discussion of all the issues that people have with this editor, that should probably happen in a different venue (possibly AN?), and with a more comprehensive introductory complaint.--MelanieN (talk) 17:03, 30 August 2016 (UTC)

• The one-sided auto-established interaction bans (of whom I am one of the members) are just a minor part of User:SwisterTwister's long term WP:IDONTHEARTHAT attitude. Actually, while there are a lot of problems with this editor, the worst thing is their consistent refusal in engaging any sort of discussion and their apparent rendering any critic as an annoying drama or as a personal attack, because this dismissive approach precludes anyone from improving their contributions and understand their mistakes. When someone tries to engage a discussion in their talk page, the usual response is ST's ignoring the message, deleting it or accusing others of having a personal grudge against them, then in a mixture of self-absolution and victimhood the next step is ST's asking others to stay away and not deprod or vote in AfDs started by them because the votes are in bad-faith. For anyone thinking this could be true, I just looked at my interaction record with ST, and 100% of my keep votes at AfDs started by ST were eventually confirmed by the final outcome. What I requested to ST during my discussions monologues basically was 1) making a minimal WP:BEFORE before nominating articles for deletion 2) Notifying the articles' creators of his prods and AfDs 3) Slow down their activities, including do not mass voting AfDs but on the contrary making more meaningful and relevant comments in the discussions. Not just I have not received any answer to the issues I raised, in spite of the same issues being raised by dozens of experienced editors and admins I have not noted any minimal improvement. I keep in seeing a very bad record as AfD nominator with articles often kept per lack of WP:BEFORE, a lack of notification both for prods and AfDs, and mass-votes at AfDs generally consisting of an ultra-vague and often unintelligible sentence. Everyone makes mistakes and everyone has a potential for significant improvements, but in a collective work such as WP this unwillingness to discuss, the inability to hear others and the proofed refusal to improve their behaviour are massive problems. Cavarrone 15:15, 30 August 2016 (UTC)

• Comment My personal read is that User:SwisterTwister's behavior is tolerated by WP policies. You can nominate and propose for deletion as much as you like. Vote to delete everything. You can ignore and be rude or belligerent to other editors. You can be incomprehensible and make stuff up. You don't have to worry too much about policies such as WP:BEFORE because it is difficult to get a consensus that you've violated them and there is disproportionately small consequence for violation. On the other hand, everything I read in the WP:DISRUPT lead appears to apply in this case (including especially the WP:AGF statement in the second paragraph). Policies aside, we need to try to make WP a better place and so perhaps we need to look at applying the remedy described in the WP:DISRUPT nutshell: "Disruptive editors may be blocked or banned indefinitely." ~Kvng (talk) 16:55, 30 August 2016 (UTC)

A 6 month topic ban from all the deletion-related areas should cover it. They can use that time to try and be more productive elsewhere. Only in death does duty end (talk) 17:02, 30 August 2016 (UTC)

I would urge everyone to limit their comments to the topic laid out in the complaint, namely, telling other editors they are not allowed to comment on anything he does. No evidence for this kind of remedy (block/ban) has been established here, either in the introductory complaint, which was pretty much limited to the "interaction ban" claims, or in followup comments. As I said above, this broader discussion would need a different type of thread, possibly at AN, with a more comprehensive introductory complaint. I have an opinion on the block/ban suggestions and would state it at a more appropriate venue, but IMO this is not the place. --MelanieN (talk) 17:15, 30 August 2016 (UTC)

May, April, February. SwisterTwister has been here repeatedly this year due to people having issues with them. This is not an isolated incident. Generally the complaints are the same, ST works too fast, does not take enough care, not open to discussion, does not perform due diligence etc. Only in death does duty end (talk) 17:24, 30 August 2016 (UTC)

The original WP:GAME complaint brought here is an individual instance in a pattern of WP:DISRUPTive editing. I think it is more productive to discuss the pattern here. We have had previous ANI discussions to deal with the individual instances. If we continue with the same approach, we should expect similar results: discussions that fail to reach consensus. ~Kvng (talk) 17:49, 30 August 2016 (UTC)

The U5 was by a user massively removed my Draft nominations who never even consulted with me. Second, a topic ban is not solving the case where I was politely and firmly asked that the user distance themselves to which they agreed to at the Comfort Keepers AfD, stating they acknowledged and understood my thoughts. The subsequent following of me and even rollbacking my contribs thus notifying me in the notifications, took away the purposes of said agreement. SwisterTwister talk 17:27, 30 August 2016 (UTC)

Alternately, repeatedly making shoddy nominations which you know are going to be picked up by someone who regularly comments at AFD is inviting trouble. Dont want someone commenting on your AFD's? Stay aware from AFD. Only in death does duty end (talk) 17:32, 30 August 2016 (UTC)

• Offer Hi all, sounds like maybe I've had less interaction with SwisterTwister than others have, but in the extent to which ST and I have worked together, it's been pretty constructive (e.g. successfully resolving an issue of a rejected draft in one case and a contested redirect/merge in another), and at the same time WP:BEFORE is an issue that's been on my mind a lot lately, so if I can be of help to talk this out to a resolution that satisfies everyone, I'm happy to volunteer myself to try. (Partly I'm also motivated to try to assist in this way because I share Kvng's desire to improve the overall WP atmosphere.) I'll leave a message on ST's talk page to this effect in case ST does not see it here. Innisfree987 (talk) 17:33, 30 August 2016 (UTC)
• I'll note I have even spent time away recently as my contribs will show and also then focusing with AfC in hopes the user would not come near me, yet it continued so my message had not gone through. Thus, after my repeated requests and comments, I was not confident anything would get the message through, especially if I have noticeably noted it causes me stress, something someone should take to mind, especially if they have agreed to it themselves. SwisterTwister talk 17:49, 30 August 2016 (UTC)

SwisterTwister, you are talking as if this was just about one person, and claiming they agreed to stay away. But this is not an isolated thing, not about just one person. In the nine links posted above by NA1000, I find "you have been told to stay away from me" comments to five different people (most of whom respond with something like "Huh? When did that happen?"). In one case you put something that sounded like a threat in your edit summary: "I have specifically told you to stay away, final time"[49] In addition to those five users to whom you said they were banned from interacting with you, there are two others and an IP where you were are less assertive but still saying "keep away from me". This is a pattern with you, and the message you need to get here is, YOU CAN'T DO THIS. Stop pretending you can impose some kind of interaction ban based on your say-so alone. It doesn't work that way. You can't tell people they are not allowed to remove your PRODs or comment at your AFDs. We are looking here for some assurance from you that you understand this and won't do it any more. --MelanieN (talk) 19:06, 30 August 2016 (UTC)

Yes I know it involves more than one person, but the person most severe here still insists in being around me and my contribs when they know they are not welcome to be that close to me; I am certainly willing to assure and have this closed; but I want it to also be understood that I can't work calmly knowing a user is following me that closely and insistent, because it has become WP:HOUNDING. SwisterTwister talk 19:19, 30 August 2016 (UTC)

Even if it you have an issue with one person in particular - what about the other seven people you said the same things to? You need to get the message here that this is a PATTERN with you, that it is NOT ACCEPTABLE, and that the community is likely to take some kind of action if you persist in not hearing what people are telling you. --MelanieN (talk) 19:32, 30 August 2016 (UTC)

Your accusations of hounding are baseless and bordering on unsubstantiated personal attacks. They are not following you. If you raise an AFD, anyone is eligible to comment on it who is not under a restriction from doing so. That you do not want them to is irrelevant and something that is your problem to fix. Either by editing in an area you know they do not frequent, or learning to interact with people you disagree with. Even if you were in a formal interaction ban with another editor, this would not prevent them necessarily responding to an AFD you have created, provided they abide by WP:IBAN Only in death does duty end (talk) 19:25, 30 August 2016 (UTC)

• User:SwisterTwister, unsurprisingly that's exactly the kind of WP:IDONTHEARTHAT frustrating response which I described hours ago in my post above. Instead of addressing the issues which were raised here (first of all, accusing editors of violating interection bans which do not exist) or elsewhere, your replies just ignore the issues, depict yourself as a victim and accuse the others of bad-faith and wiki-hounding. Will ever there be a chance of accepting a critic as genuine, and discussing it, and starting/trying to improve, let alone admitting some of your actions were maybe wrong? I am frankly skeptic. Cavarrone 19:24, 30 August 2016 (UTC)

• Add Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Ektron (4th nomination) to the data set, where I explain to ST that WP:CONSENSUS is a policy, and ask for an explanation of the "talking to the closer" routine.  What I think will be found with analysis of the circumlocutions, deflection of discussion, and vague to non-existent deletion arguments, is a conscious effort to avoid statements that can be reduced by the force of reason.  I stand by my statement there to ST, "I suggest that you put more effort into preparing a high-quality nomination..."  That would include visible use of WP:BEFORE including at least one WP:DEL-REASON in deletion nominations.  Unscintillating (talk) 00:37, 31 August 2016 (UTC)
  • Unscintillating, why am I not surprised to find you commenting about something that is not relevant to this main thread? Please stay away from discussing things pertaining to AfD, per CIR ("keep because it was kept before" is a pretty good indication). Drmies (talk) 01:26, 31 August 2016 (UTC)
    • The nomination before the 4th nomination is the 3rd nomination, which is a No consensus.  The nominator states that the article "was deleted the previous AfD".  ST could have redacted himself, but didn't.  Unscintillating (talk) 02:26, 31 August 2016 (UTC)
• SwisterTwister (talk · contribs), admin here. It's simple. You claim interaction bans prevent some editors from commenting on you or, worse, dePRODding articles you PRODded. No such bans exist, so you cannot invoke them. Is that clear? As much as I've worked with you and appreciate your good work, I will not hesitate to block you if you falsely invoke such a claim again--those claims are disruptive and unsettling. Please don't go there again.

  I will give you another unasked for piece of advice: rightly or wrongly you are under continued scrutiny for your work at AfD and at AfC. This problem here is of your own making, and the result of it is more continued scrutiny. Bad idea. If problems are of your own making, perhaps you should try making them go away. Maybe you should consider a mentor, someone to talk to. Good luck. Drmies (talk) 01:43, 31 August 2016 (UTC)

• Some thoughts: Telling someone to leave you alone is not a ban on them in any way, and SwisterTwister should not be treating that as though it is a ban. I understand how annoying it is to have people following you around objecting to everything you do but you can't forbid them from doing that just by telling them not to. Regarding the previous ANI threads regarding ST, consensus at all of those was that ST wasn't doing anything wrong. Those threads shouldn't be used as ammo against him now; they prove nothing except that he gets inclusionists' dander up, and that's more often a good thing than a bad thing. ST had a weird way of expressing himself, but I seldom have trouble understanding what he means. Those claiming he's "incoherent" are overplaying their hand. I'd like to see him put more thought into their AfD comments, sure, but I have also observed that we seem to have infinitely more patience for bizarre and nonsensical keep votes than for bad or formulaic delete votes. Reyk _YO! 11:08, 31 August 2016 (UTC)

Excuse me? Please look at the comments above, which are replete with links to SwisterTwister's comments at AFD, comments that truly do range from meaningless to incoherent. Many minor articles are closed with a tiny number of iVotes, which all too often includes an iVote by SwisterTwister that exhibits no evidence of having searched for sources, and no evidence of familiarity with the topic. And are you seriously claiming that getting editors "dander up" at AFD is a positive good? From my perspective, the intransigence and BATTLEGROUND attitudes at AFD are among the most repulsive aspects of the project, one that certainly drives editors away.E.M.Gregory (talk) 21:45, 31 August 2016 (UTC)

Speaking of "overplaying their hand", Reyk, you are misrepresenting the case when you say that at the three previous ANI threads, "consensus at all of those was that ST wasn't doing anything wrong." There was no such consensus at any of them. The actual closes were "no consensus" May, "no consensus to implement topic ban at this time… The short of it is that there is a problem, but it hasn't yet reached the point that a topic ban is required" April, and "NO ACTION" February. --MelanieN (talk) 15:28, 31 August 2016 (UTC)

I'm basing my opinion on a reading of the whole discussions, not just the closing statements. The one from February, for instance, closed as "No action" because there wasn't anything resembling a legitimate complaint. Reyk _YO! 17:15, 31 August 2016 (UTC)

Even ignoring your battleground mentality and the lack of AGF, describing the previous ANI discussions as "deletionists vs. inclusinonists" querelles is also a plain mischaracterization, the issues of ST in other fields than AfDs (eg. patrolling new pages in two previous ANI threads and failures in interacting with other editors in the current thread) show how the problems go beyond your simplified and inaccurate depiction. Side note, WP is full of "inclusionists" and "deletionists" who do not crash with other editors, raise criticism or collect ANI threads. Cavarrone 18:04, 31 August 2016 (UTC)

Well that's unnecessarily hostile. Reyk _YO! 20:33, 31 August 2016 (UTC)

• The aspersion at the first example I provided atop remains in place at the open AfD discussion. It would be nice if the user would consider striking the offending part ("interaction ban"). If not, perhaps an uninvolved user (e.g. not myself) would consider doing so. North America¹⁰⁰⁰ 00:31, 1 September 2016 (UTC)

Without implying opinion on this ANI discussion nor any thoughts regarding any statements made here, I have striked out the statement in the AFD. Regardless of how this discussion ends or if anything comes of it, I felt that in the pure context of the AFD discussion itself and in order to help keep the discussion on-topic (aimed towards building a consensus regarding the article's deletion rationale), as well as bearing Adam9007 in mind (he violated no interaction ban), I agree with Northamerica1000 (as an uninvolved editor) that striking that statement out and declaring that no interaction ban exists is the appropriate and right thing to do. ~Oshwah~^{(talk) (contribs)} 01:56, 1 September 2016 (UTC)

• I support either (a) mentoring or (b) a temporary limit (2 months) on SwisterTwister nominating more than 15 articles per week. This is due to his reckless nominations causing a tremendous amount of time loss. Having gone through a chunk of his edits, I'd say he is a extreme deletionist. I view his editing style as being detrimental to the confidence of content creators who are newbies. Alternatively, I'd say a 1 week block is in order. If SwisterTwister is allowed to continue editing as normal after this thread, I will view that as a sign of contempt towards content-creators by the wiki community. 92.19.186.75 (talk) 15:16, 1 September 2016 (UTC)
  • IP, blocks are meant to be preventative, not punitive. A one week block would do nothing but punish SwisterTwister. You haven't even attempted to give any evidence that his patrolling isn't a net positive, and you've completely ignored the fact that most of his work, is in fact, very good. Omni Flames (talk) 22:51, 1 September 2016 (UTC)
    • What we'd like to prevent is further disruptive editing. I agree that SwisterTwister makes positive contributions. I think it is clear from this and previous discussions that there are also negatives. We're not trying to assess his net contribution; There is no formula for that. We're trying to decide if administrative intervention is appropriate to address the disruptive editing. I expect this pattern to continue and so I believe it needs to be addressed. A ban on delete activities will potentially allow us to see proportionally more of the good contributions from SwisterTwister. ~Kvng (talk) 23:07, 1 September 2016 (UTC)
      • I just stumbled on Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Deirdre Macnab SwisterwTwister iVote in an AFD he asserts that he had PRODded. I do not want to chase productive editors off, I have been inappropriately attacked on this board, and it feels awful. I truly do not know how to handle this. But I increasingly see it as a sort of WP:OWN]], not unique to SwisterTwister, but perhaps too prevalent among editors who have worked so long and hard on these pages that they have seen it all and think they know it all. I do know that it is wearisome, discouraging, and probably chases new editors off and makes others so fed up that they leave.E.M.Gregory (talk) 01:40, 2 September 2016 (UTC)
        • Voting to delete something he prodded (I subsequently deprodded it and MSJapan then AfD'd it) seems consistent and reasonable. What's the foul here? ~Kvng (talk) 15:50, 2 September 2016 (UTC)
• The issues largely arise due to ST's deletion-related activities, and communication with him with respect to these. The quality of ST's PROD and AfD contributions is poor, to the point of appearing to indiscriminately claim subjects are clearly non-notable and lack coverage simply because the articles concerned have have maintenance tags on for some time, in some cases with sources that strongly suggest notability available on the first page of a Google search, and usually with a deletion rationale that makes little sense. This is disruptive, as is ST's refusal to interact with/take notice of anyone who challenges his behaviour, and is wasting the time of a lot of other editors. A topic ban from deletion-related activities as suggested above would likely allow ST to focus his efforts in areas that cause less stress all round. --Michig (talk) 18:18, 2 September 2016 (UTC)

na1k is a inclusionist. st is a deltionist — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2600:387:5:805:0:0:0:76 (talk) 00:51, 3 September 2016 (UTC)

I'm not an "inclusionist". For example, I have performed over 5,700 page deletions on Wikipedia in an administrative capacity. North America¹⁰⁰⁰ 05:45, 3 September 2016 (UTC)

• A topic ban on all deletion discussions, broadly construed, is warranted. The users history of contributions in AFD are, as a whole, not constructive. Further participation in AFD by this user would be damaging to the healthy discussions required for AFD to function. The user repeatedly shows a lack of understanding on deletion guidelines and policies, a combative attitude and it is now reaching the point of disruption. Best would be for SwisterTwister to voluntarily agree to such a ban, and continue as a wikipedian in good standing that contributes constructively in other areas of Wikipedia. -- 1Wiki8........................... (talk) 07:34, 3 September 2016 (UTC)

• Oppose any permanent or longterm topic-ban for ST. For one thing, any TBan for him should be short-term like three to six months (because he does in fact contribute constructively in AfD discussions he has not initiated, and is sometimes one of the few people who !vote on many discussions), and for another thing, as MelanieN has pointed out, this is not the scope or the point of this ANI. Softlavender (talk) 07:51, 3 September 2016 (UTC)

The scope of this ANI discussion needs to be the pattern of disruptive editing in deletion activities. If someone needs to start a new entry here with that scope, so be it but we're here and deep into it now so let's finish this thing. There have been alleged instances of carpet bomb style delete voting with marginally comprehensible justifications by ST. The fact that he is sometimes the only one to comment in AfD discussions makes these potentially disruptive contributions more concerning, not less so. ~Kvng (talk) 15:30, 3 September 2016 (UTC)

Thanks for the ping, Softlavender. As I said above: there is no justification for discussing a topic ban or block in this thread, because no evidence has been presented IN THIS DISCUSSION to support such an action. Some people are recommending this, apparently based on other previous discussions where other evidence was presented, but those were all closed as No Consensus or No Action, and no new evidence has been presented here. If somebody thinks there is justification for a topic ban, either from AfD discussions generally (which I would oppose) or just from nominating articles for deletion (which I might favor), they would need to start a discussion on that subject, probably at AN rather than ANI, with diffs and other evidence to support the recommendation. What we are waiting for in this discussion is 1) a recognition from ST that he cannot unilaterally ban other people from interacting with him and 2) a promise to stop talking that way. ST has not commented here in several days, and if he doesn't respond satisfactorily soon, I would recommend this be closed with an official warning from the community: that he will receive temporary/escalating blocks if he makes this kind of comment again. --MelanieN (talk) 17:02, 3 September 2016 (UTC)

I know that I'm probably heading off topic here but, from your description, I find it concerning that so much concerted effort is required to address a pattern of abuse. I would like to see it addressed and I have the wherewithal to complete the work you have requested but I am a WP:VOLUNTEER who would prefer to spend my time improving the encyclopedia. Collecting or searching out and reporting evidence against a disruptive editor is the kind of notfun project that tends to dampen my enthusiasm for working on Wikipedia. I suspect others may have similar feelings and so the disruption will continue. ~Kvng (talk) 15:14, 4 September 2016 (UTC)

Well, you can make it a formal proposal (subheading) here if you want, based on past history and without a massive collection of diffs. There are certainly others who feel the same way. Personally, if ST doesn't respond here in the next couple of days, I am going to formally propose what I suggested above. --MelanieN (talk) 16:23, 4 September 2016 (UTC)

@MelanieN: I am aware of this and I hope you did not miss my point that I prefer to spend my time improving the encyclopedia over addressing disruptive behavior of other editors. For the sake of the project, I do feel strongly that this behavior should be addressed, and I beleive that's why we have a policy about it. Is there someone interested in negotiating these procedural hoops. Is this an administrator responsibility? ~Kvng (talk) 17:14, 5 September 2016 (UTC)

To me, a relatively new editor, this response more or less tells me that long-standing editors who do a lot of editing on Wikipeida will be protected by other very active, long-standing editors no matter how poor or destructive the quality of their actual editing is. It makes me very glad that the building I work in is not inspected by structural engineers working according to the professional standards upheld and enforced on this board.E.M.Gregory (talk) 11:28, 5 September 2016 (UTC)

I don't think this is a new vs. old editor thing other than an a more experienced editor may better appreciate that enforcing policies requires a consensus and it is difficult to reach consensus. ~Kvng (talk) 17:14, 5 September 2016 (UTC)

I think it is time to round off this discussion with some actual proposals, and I am about to put mine here in a subhead. Kvng, I didn't mean to imply that you had to round up the material for a full-on AN report. (That is not fun; I did it once and it took the better part of two days just to put the report together.) Rather, I would invite you and anyone else here to put an actual recommendation into words, just based on what has been said here, and post it in a subhead of this discussion to see how much support it gets. --MelanieN (talk) 18:18, 5 September 2016 (UTC)

Thanks for clarifying next-steps and for putting something out there. I will do a little reviewing of the discussion here and and maybe work up a second proposal. ~Kvng (talk) 03:08, 6 September 2016 (UTC)

• I had not caught some of these issues, but I will say that over the last few months, even while using my alt instead of this account, I've been actively watching ST because some of his actions were problematic. To say someone deprodded an article in violation of an interaction ban when you know that an interaction ban does not exist is a bad faith casting of aspersions, and unquestionably actionable when it is part of a larger pattern. This is gaming the system in a nomination to gain favor with those that agree with deletion of an article. This says nothing of the merits, only of the methods. There have been many problems with ST and article deletions and other areas (I'm wanting to say NPP or AFC a few months ago). We are dangerously close to strong editing restrictions at the meta level. We have spent too much time discussing this. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 01:20, 5 September 2016 (UTC)

Dennis! Great to see you back! 0;-D A question: Back in May you closed this ANI report (which was mostly about NPP), saying "Closing as no consensus to implement topic ban at this time … The short of it is that there is a problem, but it hasn't yet reached the point that a topic ban is required. IF ST does indeed follow DGG's advice and guidance, then hopefully we won't be back here." Do you have anything to add to that now? --MelanieN (talk) 15:15, 5 September 2016 (UTC)

I'm more inclined to just leave my statement as is. It appears plenty of the community sees the problem and I'm not sure I can add much more. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 15:13, 7 September 2016 (UTC)

• My sense is that overall SwisterTwister's participation in AfD discussions is not constructive. I've stopped reading ST's comments, and my hunch is that closing admins don't weigh them when making a determination; it is almost as if ST is a deletionist robot. I support limiting or banning ST's ability to open AfDs or close them.--Tomwsulcer (talk) 13:14, 5 September 2016 (UTC)

• "I find it concerning that he uses the same ambiguous argument for each deletion discussion in which he partakes." (St173 above)

"... SwisterTwister's participation in AfD discussions is not constructive. ... it is almost as if ST is a deletionist robot. I support limiting or banning ST's ability to open AfDs or close them." --Tomwsulcer (talk) 13:14, 5 September 2016 (UTC)

Very much agree with these two statements. SwisterTwister does not contribute usefully to deletion discussions. I sense that there is good intellect underlying ST's decisions to comment or not comment, and that there is a language barrier, but for a long time, and after a lot of comments, ST is failing to improve his rationale to the level of useful. --SmokeyJoe (talk) 03:24, 6 September 2016 (UTC)

A proposed closure: Warning about "keep away" orders

The following discussion is closed. Please do not modify it. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

---

This discussion has gone on for the better part of a week. It has been thoughtful, and various courses of action have been mentioned. But the discussion has not been focused, and as such it is likely to lead to another "no consensus" outcome. I think it's time to propose some actual wording for the outcome or conclusion of this report. People can "support" or "oppose" each suggestion, and let's we can see if we clarify consensus for one or more recommendations.

Here's my proposal: NorthAmerica1000 has clearly shown the existence of a pattern whereby SwisterTwister orders another user to stay away from him, and then "warns" them that they are "violating an interaction ban" if they remove a PROD or comment at an AfD where ST is involved. NorthAmerica provided links showing ST making such demands on eight different people. Consensus here is pretty much unanimous that this kind of demand is invalid and inappropriate. ST's response was to blame one other user for "causing him stress". ST has not acknowledged the existence of the pattern, has not recognized it as a problem, and has not committed to stop doing it. ST has not commented here since August 30, even though he has been active at Wikipedia every day. I therefore recommend this be closed with an official warning from the community: that he must stop trying to impose "interaction bans" or "keep-away orders" against other users (except requests to stay off his talk page), and that he will receive temporary/escalating blocks if he makes this kind of comment again.

This proposal does not preclude other ideas. People could support this (rather minimal) outcome and also stronger measures. NorthAmerica mentioned problems with AfC reviews (too many too fast, failure to respond to concerns at his talk page), and others here have raised issues in the areas of article deletion and NPP. If someone wants to propose some wording, an actual recommendation, to deal with those problems, I suggest they do it here in another subheading, so that we can focus on resolving this discussion. --MelanieN (talk) 18:28, 5 September 2016 (UTC)

• Support. Otherwise this could all be brushed under the carpet. Adam9007 (talk) 18:37, 5 September 2016 (UTC)
• Support. I also think something needs to be done about the pattern of low-quality contribution to CSD, PROD, and AFD but the three discussions at ANI this year came to no-consensus on those, and the present proposal seems like a bare-minimum control on ST's misbehavior. —David Eppstein (talk) 18:43, 5 September 2016 (UTC)

David Eppstein, you are right that this proposal is the absolute minimum that ought to come out of this discussion. There is room for more. If you can come up with a proposal for what you think should be done, please post it here as "A proposed closure" subhead, and see if it finds support. I think one of the reasons these things keep coming up "no consensus" is that there is never an actual, concrete proposal to discuss - just a bunch of vague waves at possible, undefined topic bans. You or anyone else could help solve that problem by defining a proposed solution and posting it here. --MelanieN (talk) 20:13, 5 September 2016 (UTC)

• Support. To reduce the likelihood that similarly troubling behavior and unfounded accusations will continue, I propose that the warning be extended to encompass not just the self-imposed "keep away" orders but any on-wiki accusation of harassment made outside of ANI. If SwisterTwister believes someone is harassing him, he should make a complaint here; he should not be allowed to use such allegations as a debate tactic or to embarrass others. Rebbing 20:06, 5 September 2016 (UTC)

I would support that extension of the warning: that he must not accuse anyone of harassing him, stalking him, hounding him, etc. at any Wikipedia talk page or edit summary, but only here at ANI. --MelanieN (talk) 03:44, 6 September 2016 (UTC)

• MelanieN should get credit for keeping focus throughout this process.  Unscintillating (talk) 21:11, 5 September 2016 (UTC)
• Support  WP:CONSENSUS states, "When agreement cannot be reached...editors...try to work out the dispute through discussion."  Unscintillating (talk) 21:11, 5 September 2016 (UTC)
• Support Obviously. If this continues, a block is necessary, but for now, just a warning. ThePlatypusofDoom (talk) 23:41, 5 September 2016 (UTC)
• Support Acting as if you can unilaterally stifle discussion is pretty antithetical to the project. TimothyJosephWood 23:52, 5 September 2016 (UTC)
• comment Perhaps something could be done along the lines os the current discusion on this board of JohnPackerLambert, to restrict the number of articles that SwisterTwister can PROD or bring to AFD.E.M.Gregory (talk) 00:50, 6 September 2016 (UTC)

• I think I prefer not to ¡vote on this, but since I've already said something similar on ST's talk page I feel comfortable repeating it here: I too have a sense that something that goes toward reducing the underlying source of friction (while still allowing participation) would help produce a good outcome for everyone. This has understandably become a significant stressor for numerous people, and I think dialing back the opportunities for conflict would be a good way to give everyone a breather, get back on firmer friendlier ground, etc. I'm not sure a warning or a block is likely to have that effect. Innisfree987 (talk) 04:58, 6 September 2016 (UTC)

• Support Editors don't have the ability to propose their own interaction bans. If they did this would certainly be gamed. The community and ARBCOM can place an interaction ban. This is more akin to fillebustering in an attempt to keep PROD's from being challenged.-Serialjoepsycho- (talk) 01:59, 6 September 2016 (UTC)
• Support SwisterTwister may not ask others to leave him alone, as there is a history of problems. If SwisterTwister feels harassed by any user, I suggest inviting MelanieN to offer to mediate for SwisterTwister. I think that in most cases, it is SwisterTwister who needs something explained. --SmokeyJoe (talk) 03:34, 6 September 2016 (UTC)

Thank you for the suggestion, but I decline. Maybe somebody else will take it on. --MelanieN (talk) 03:44, 6 September 2016 (UTC)

• Weak oppose. I don't see the problem as the "do not comments here" but using the term "interaction bans." I feel like the issue is beyond the communication one to a greater point about the editing behavior but that isn't at issue right now. I don't think they are productive but I don't see an actual problem with this edit (probably the summary though) and I don't see how that's actually different than what a lot of other editors do. The truth is, that exact same comment could (and was) be made on the article talk page following the deprod. Now, I agree that a warning against using the very specific term of "interaction ban" should be made as that's a specific term that isn't appropriate at the AFD but I think a complete ban on noncommunication is unnecessary. I agree that it's not productive if you are going out there PRODing articles and AFDing them to decide not to respond to particular individuals but that's ultimately going to hurt ST's ability to convince people not anyone else. If people have an issue about ST's prods, well we seem to have a weekly ANI discussion about that but that's not this issue today. -- Ricky81682 (talk) 04:15, 6 September 2016 (UTC)
• Strong support to this (minimal) action, uniterally banning editors from deprodding articles ST (often wrongly) prods or from voting to keep articles he nominated for deletion, and warning them for that, is not just inappropriate, it is not acceptable. The only purpuse I can imagine for this actions is to discourage such experienced editors from reviewing ST's questionable work, and to dismiss their arguments. Lack of response by ST in spite of multiple requests (and pingings) to provide a relevant comment here are enough evidences of the issue still existing and potentially repeating. His only two comments in this topic were complaints about a non-existing WIKIHOUNDING, with nothing addressing his actions or suggesting he understood the problem. A mentorship would be also useful to prevent further ANI theads related to other issues. Cavarrone 05:41, 6 September 2016 (UTC)
• Support. MelanieN's carefully thought out proposal is a minimal but effective manner of preventing disruption caused by ST's unfortunate pattern of false statements. The Big Bad Wolfowitz (aka Hullaballoo). Treated like dirt by administrators since 2006. (talk) 10:52, 6 September 2016 (UTC)
• Question - What is an offical warning and what would be the consequences of ignoring such a warning? ~Kvng (talk) 15:16, 6 September 2016 (UTC)

An official warning is one delivered to him by an admin as a result of this ANI discussion. The consequences would be temporary/escalating blocks if he makes this kind of comment again. --MelanieN (talk) 18:41, 6 September 2016 (UTC)

• Support - but only because to oppose would result in no action whatsoever, again, and reinforce the perception ST must, by now, have that there will never be any repercussions for his problematic behaviour. The poor-quality contribution to CSD, PROD, and AFD will need to be addressed eventually, as evidenced by the regularity with which deep concerns about their negative effects are expressed - but today, it seems, is not to be that day. -- Begoon 15:28, 6 September 2016 (UTC)

Begoon: See Kvng's proposal below. --MelanieN (talk) 21:33, 6 September 2016 (UTC)

• Note that in at least some instances, Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Roberto Gagliardi SwisterTwister's lonely and unsupported opinion can indeed (contrary to some opinions above) trump editors bringing The New York Times and the London Evening Standard as evidence of notability (AFD on bio of minor figure in the art world).E.M.Gregory (talk) 17:55, 6 September 2016 (UTC)
• Support As a new-ish editor, I was shocked when my attempts to interact with SwisterTwister were met by accusations that I had violated some unknown rule by contacting him: I genuinely thought that I had done something wrong. I have of course overstepped rules, not so often anymore, but long-term editors may forget how Byzantine the rules here are, how long it takes to learn the ropes, and how very intimidating it is to new editors to be told that one is in violation. Unfortunately, Swister is not the only editor on WP who WP who threatens inexperienced editors by falsely accusing them of violating a rule. This sort of WP:BATTLEGROUND behavior is deeply WP:DISRUPTIVE to the project, and needs to be halted when it occurs. As here.E.M.Gregory (talk) 22:26, 6 September 2016 (UTC)
• Support - As MelanieN says, "Consensus here is pretty much unanimous that this kind of demand is invalid and inappropriate". — Rhododendrites ^talk \\ 23:08, 6 September 2016 (UTC)
• Support - This is a form of bullying behavior, apparently (to this observer) being pursued as part of a deletionist agenda. Carrite (talk) 01:30, 7 September 2016 (UTC)
• Weak Support, but I've seen similar behavior from other people, and in other directions. As E.M.Gregory says above, this is not uncommon in various situations. DGG ( talk ) 02:48, 7 September 2016 (UTC)
• Support - I have personally experienced this behavior, it is WP:DISRUPTIVE and it needs to be addressed. The proposal is a good start. ~Kvng (talk) 15:12, 7 September 2016 (UTC)
• Support. No user should claim an interaction ban if no such ban exists.--Mojo Hand (talk) 01:58, 8 September 2016 (UTC)
• Support This conduct needs to be addressed and a warning from an admin on behalf of community consensus is appropriate. Chris Troutman (talk) 17:02, 8 September 2016 (UTC)
• Support. I'm not sure how much effect this would have but it can't hurt. --Michig (talk) 18:00, 8 September 2016 (UTC)
• Support: No one needs to impose an interaction ban from any users from ST. KGirlTrucker81 ^{huh? what I'm been doing} 20:22, 9 September 2016 (UTC)
• Support – This is a balanced warning on behaviour that may look abrasive to some fellow editors. — JFG ^talk 05:52, 10 September 2016 (UTC)
• Support. Diffs presented at start of the thread is convincing enough that this behaviour is problematic and shouldn't continue. ---- Patar knight - ^chat/_{contributions} 15:51, 10 September 2016 (UTC)
• Strong Oppose He's dealing with some other issues off wiki with abuse and such about enwiki so he attempts to back away from editing a bit to get away from the drama... I've look at ALL his contribs starting from account creations, nothing but the common newcomer mistakes we've all made once or twice... Ⓩⓟⓟⓘⓧ (talk) 23:33, 10 September 2016 (UTC)

SwisterTwister's not a newcomer. He's been here for 6 years, and should know better. Also, I doubt that you went through all of his 103,023 non-deleted edits. ThePlatypusofDoom (talk) 11:00, 11 September 2016 (UTC)

The discussion above is closed. Please do not modify it. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

A proposed closure: Topic ban on deletion activities

According to MelanieN, multiple resolutions may be proposed here. I have tried to write this one as a step beyond what she has proposed above. There should be no conflict supporting one, the other or both proposals (though I assume most editors supporting this proposal would also support Melanie's).

I beleive the behavior described in this thread including accusations of WP:GAMING, WP:ASPERSIONS, WP:IDONTHEARTHAT, WP:OWN and ongoing reports of failure to follow WP:BEFORE clearly constitutes a longstanding pattern of WP:DISRUPTIVE editing. The reported disruptive behavior is associated with deletion-related activities in WP:NPP, WP:AFD, WP:CSD, WP:AFC and WP:PROD. The user has been reluctant to discuss criticism and shown no intent to change behavior. To prevent additional disruptive behavior a topic ban on deletion-related activities is appropriate. My proposal is a 30-day ban on the following activities where the disruption has been reported:

1. Nominating articles for deletion through WP:AFD or WP:CSD
2. Proposing articles for deletion using WP:PROD
3. Declining WP:AFC submissions

I propose that the user be allowed to continue participating in AFD discussions started by other users. I am hopeful that the official warning proposed above will adequately address disruption in these discussions. ~Kvng (talk) 18:05, 6 September 2016 (UTC)

• I am leaning toward support of this proposal. It addresses the issues brought up by many people, but it does so modestly. It is limited in scope to the proposing or nomination of articles for deletion, where his record is frankly dismal (less that 60% of his AfD nominations result in deletion), and to declining AFC submissions which is a similar activity. It allows him to continue to comment on AfDs nominated by other people, where his commentary has received some criticism but is not disruptive. It is limited in time to 30 days, which is not punitive but more of an attention-getter and an inducement to improve. Assuming he resumes such nominations after the 30 days, his work could be evaluated; if it is still disruptive, the topic ban could be extended or possibly made permanent. I would also like to see him start a Twinkle log of his CSD and PROD nominations, so that they can be evaluated more systematically, but I don't suppose we can compel him to. --MelanieN (talk) 18:34, 6 September 2016 (UTC)
• Comment- Just to remind people, WP:BEFORE is not strictly mandatory. This has been discussed in the past and, though it's considered good advice and strongly encouraged, consensus has been that making it strictly compulsory would cause more problems than it would solve. Wikilawyerish shutdowns of AfDs on obviously hopeless articles, and deliberately trying to infuriate deletion nominators are the big two problems that have been identified previously. Reyk _YO! 19:55, 6 September 2016 (UTC)
• Oppose. I don't think SwisterTwister was actively trying to game the system. I think that because of stress, he misinterpreted our policy on wikihounding to believe he could unilaterally impose interaction bans. Alright, he's been chewed out for that, and there's a separate proposal to back that up with an Official Warning. I've voted to keep a few of the articles he nominated for deletion, and he's never said a negative or rude thing to me ever. In fact, sometimes he sends me a "thanks" for voting. There's been no consensus that his work at AFC or NPP is disruptive, and no new evidence has been provided. Despite popular misconception, WP:BEFORE is neither policy nor guideline. I don't see a good reason to topic ban him from any of these areas. NinjaRobotPirate (talk) 21:12, 6 September 2016 (UTC)

ST does not claim interaction bans or other rudeness for everyone. I encourage you to consider the possibility, based on evidence provided in this thread, that his behavior to others has been inappropriate. And, if you find this to be so, support this proposal to improve this situation for your fellow Wikipedians. An oppose vote means that you do not beleive that ST has been disruptive to the community. An oppose vote is not an appropriate way to indicate that you have not personally been affected by ST's behavior. Also, aside from WP:AGF, the reason for disruptive behavior is not really something we should give a lot of consideration to. Please have a look at the second paragraph of the lead in WP:DISRUPT. This is where I personally believe this is coming from. But, as the policy says, it's not a reason not to address it. ~Kvng (talk) 14:40, 7 September 2016 (UTC)

I think we need to do something about the general atmosphere of incivility at AfD, but, like I said, I think SwisterTwister got stressed out and reacted poorly. My interactions with him are a demonstration that this behavior is out of character. I don't think he'll cause any more trouble. He's an extremist, yes, but he's merely the flip side of the inclusionists who vote to keep nearly everything. I don't think that's especially disruptive, though it can be frustrating. NinjaRobotPirate (talk) 00:18, 8 September 2016 (UTC)

• Support Because SwisterTwister's editing in these areas have indeed been WP:DISRUPTIVE to the project, in exactly the ways articulated above by User:Kvng.E.M.Gregory (talk) 22:18, 6 September 2016 (UTC)
• Support as the first of a sequence of escalating remedies, rather than because I think this has much chance of being effective by itself. ST needs to find a way to contribute here that is not just rapid-fire indiscriminate deletion contributions. A month may be long enough to cause that to happen, but without some sort of mentorship I don't hold out a lot of hope for change. —David Eppstein (talk) 22:25, 6 September 2016 (UTC)
• Comment - 30 days isn't enough if this is a real problem. To me the big issue is that this user is said to be making non-administrative closures of deletion debates — which I find appalling. This is not a person I would trust with administrative buttons — way, way, way skewed to the deletionist end of the spectrum. Carrite (talk) 01:33, 7 September 2016 (UTC)

My understanding is that only administrators are not allowed to close AfDs if the result is delete. I find it hard to beleive that ST would do a closure unless the result was delete. ~Kvng (talk) 14:31, 7 September 2016 (UTC)

Kvng: He's actually closed quite a few AFDs (tool) as keep, including this lovely "speedy keep" where he determined that the school's statement on its website that it was accredited was itself sufficient to make the school notable. Rebbing 17:34, 7 September 2016 (UTC)

• Support If it causes ST to re-evaluate his behaviour when it expires, good. If not, then as David Eppstein points out, it can be escalated. -- Begoon 02:54, 7 September 2016 (UTC)
• Oppose This is basically an attempt to win arguments by removing an opponent. DGG ( talk ) 03:57, 7 September 2016 (UTC)

  That's, ironically, a very good description of ST's behaviour, and would be an excellent "support" rationale in the section above. It doesn't, however, apply to the genuine concerns of many experienced users, expressed over a long period, regarding damaging and disruptive rapid-fire deletion contributions lacking necessary care and the unwillingness to alter this behaviour.-- Begoon 04:20, 7 September 2016 (UTC)

  his attempts to persuade people not to revert him were improper, even tho they had no actual force--this is trying to institutionalize it on the other side DGG ( talk ) 05:12, 7 September 2016 (UTC)

  I disagree. This is a community discussion about appropriate steps. I think it's fine to oppose because you don't feel a restriction is warranted. I'm less comfortable with an oppose that suggests supporters are trying to "win arguments by removing an opponent" or "trying to institutionalize it on the other side". I certainly feel mischaracterised by those suggestions. Not to the extent that I care very much, because I know it's incorrect, but enough to niggle. -- Begoon 05:40, 7 September 2016 (UTC)

My proposal is intended to address ongoing disruptive editing. Disruptive behavior in AfD discussions is probably not particularly effective at winning an augment. But it does help create an environment of hostility which eventually removes others from the discussions. ~Kvng (talk) 14:31, 7 September 2016 (UTC)

True. Mild-mannered, congenial people are all too likely to be driven away. As are edittors new to htis area of WP.E.M.Gregory (talk) 15:06, 7 September 2016 (UTC)

• Support - I've unfortunately seen this user's bizarre/incoherent behavior at more than a few AfDs and unfortunately sometimes at AfC over the past year or so. That type of behavior can be very damaging to Wikipedia (leading to improper deletion of others hard work on Wikipedia articles and/or frustrating/alienating new article creators on Wikipedia). This kind of long-term behavior needs to be stopped. Guy1890 (talk) 04:38, 7 September 2016 (UTC)
• Oppose -- I've not found ST's AfD activities disruptive. In the areas that I mostly participate (Companies, Business, and Businesspeople), ST's nominations and participation has been spot on (with one notable example of the winery article above). ST has a knack for bringing up "promotionalism" which is (IMO) is a big issue on Wikipedia. The AfD process is cumbersome as it is, and to penalise someone for using it is not constructive, in view of Wikipedia being inundated with "corporate spam" and promotional BLPs.

The Comfort Keepers AfD discussion was a good example. The first AfD closes as no consensus following an extended discussion and examination of sources. After the article was trimmed of fluff coverage and local sources not much remained. The second AfD resulted in an unanimous "Merge" vote to parent company. It was a good result overall, but it took lots of discussion and 2 AfDs to get there.

In my view, the sanctions proposed would have a chilling effect on editors participating or planning to participate in the AfD process. One just needs to have a look at CAT:NN backlog of 60 000 articles, or see the low activity at AfD, some of which go beyond three weeks for lack of participation. So I would encourage anyone commenting in this thread to take the time to assess three article from CAT:NN and/or participate in three AfD discussions per day. The process would definitely benefit from wider community engagement. K.e.coffman (talk) 05:56, 7 September 2016 (UTC)

• User:K.e.coffman I took your point, went to Cat:NN, clicked almost randomly on Criminal Conversation mistaking it for the old-fashioned legal term. It turned out to be a minor novel by a notable novelist. I continued with 2 entries just below it. Sourced one of them, but my 3rd click led to a minor politician who had run for and lost for statewide office in Oklahoma. For this I needed to run a news archive search, Bill Crozier is a somewhat unique name, searching him + Oklahoma showed that it was at least the 2nd statewide office he had run for unsuccessfully, but all that I could find otherwise on this 2008 article tagged for N in 2013 was a small amount of routine coverage of those campaigns. I PRODDED it. Now I am not at all certain that I searched long enough or hard enough. I used Proquest, should I have also used Highbeam? Provelt? JSTOR? And, really, I ought to have searched also on "William Crozier", and maybe checked if he sometimes uses a middle initial Lesson learned: assessing notability notability of old articles is a painstaking task. It is impossible to assess them at speed. But it is all too easy to SPEEDY or PROD a minor article. If an experienced editor goes through and Prods say, an old Elmore Leonard or Ed McBain novel, or a minor politician form a few years back, teh article is very likely to disappear. We operate on a trust system, i.e., that when an editor PRODS, SPEEDY, or AfDs an article, it is because they know have determined that the topic is not notable. (I am aware that controversial topics are regularly deleted on political grounds) but, in non-controversial areas we operate on trust, and the exercise you set up has persuaded me of how deeply and regularly SwisterTwister has violated that trust by PRODDING and AfD-ing articles on topics that he has not looked into.E.M.Gregory (talk) 14:10, 7 September 2016 (UTC)

• Ran that search again, he uses Bill, William very rarely, and I am now confident that he is not notable. Searching to establish non-notability is usually time-consuming and there is no shortcut.E.M.Gregory (talk) 14:15, 7 September 2016 (UTC)

• Oppose I'm inclined to assume that Swister was perhaps stressed and misread wp:hound to think that he could give out ibans, but after this thread, I'm going to assume that he won't make the same mistake again. There's been no evidence provided of Swister's disruptive behaviour at AfC; in fact I find his quick declines of promotional PR waffle there very useful, but the bigger problem there is that he doesn't reply to queries left on his talk page, which is a vital part of the AfC process, and alienates new users. I think however a warning will be sufficient, and whilst there seems to be a problem with his AfD nominations, I can't agree with this proposal because of the inclusion of a ban from AfC, which I disagree with. jcc (tea and biscuits) 07:01, 7 September 2016 (UTC)

I agree that we haven't had a lot of discussion about AfC behavior at ANI. The issue there is the same as WP:BEFORE, rejecting submissions based on smell instead of doing the research. He also does not reliably handle queries from AfC authors on these rejections. If you need evidence about these issues, you can either go find it yourself or make a suggestion to alter the proposal remove AfC contributions from the proposed ban. ~Kvng (talk) 14:16, 7 September 2016 (UTC)

• Support. per guy1890. Pwolit iets (talk) 07:39, 7 September 2016 (UTC)
• Oppose- Firstly because the proposal seems to require strict adherence to WP:BEFORE which, as I argued above, is off the table as far as I'm concerned. I also oppose bundling together the AfC and AfD stuff because there hasn't been a convincing case that his Articles for Creation work is wrong. As others have mentioned, ST has a better nose for spam than most and performs valuable work keeping advertisements off Wikipedia. The only behavioural issues I see are the poor quality and allegedly "incomprehensible" votes (which I seldom have any trouble understanding) and the habit of telling people to go away and then pretending that is an actual ban. Well, if we are going to ban people from AfD for robotically making weird and low-quality votes then there will need to be quite a cull on the inclusionist side too and I do not think many of those wanting to ban ST will want that at all. As for the unilaterally-imposed IBANs, it looks now like just telling him to stop has had the desired effect. Reyk _YO! 07:57, 7 September 2016 (UTC)

Although during the proposed ban on deletion activities, WP:BEFORE adherence would be irrelevant, the proposal does not require WP:BEFORE adherence. I appreciate that WP:BEFORE can be a problem. However, most editors are able to negotiate this. There have been ongoing complaints about ST and WP:BEFORE and so I listed this as part of his pattern of disruption. With only 60% of his deletion nominations being deleted, I have to take issue with your claim that ST has a "nose for spam." I agree that we haven't had a lot of discussion about AfC behavior at ANI. The issue there is the same as WP:BEFORE, rejecting submissions based on his "nose" instead of doing the research. He also does not reliably handle queries from AfC authors on these rejections. If you need evidence about these issues, you can either go find it yourself or make a suggestion to alter the proposal remove AfC contributions from the proposed ban. ~Kvng (talk) 14:16, 7 September 2016 (UTC)

• Oppose as written, because of the prohibition against declining AFC submissions, and many AFC submissions are crud, and good declined AFC submissions can always be discussed with the reviewer or at the Teahouse. Robert McClenon (talk) 14:22, 7 September 2016 (UTC)
• Support However if there is a *better* way of making sure ST takes more care over their AFD submissions (I dont think the AFC is really an issue) it needs to be proposed. The failure rate is too high when those failures are causing significant disruption - both in time wasted and in general irritating other editors. Perhaps some sort of mandatory second opinion before raising an AFD? Only in death does duty end (talk) 14:54, 7 September 2016 (UTC)
• Strong support and suggest serious mentorship in the meanwhile. At a different stage I would had supported a simple warning or even a "friendly advice", but such politics clearly failed, as ST is quite coherent in ignoring opinions, suggestions or advices from wherever they come. There are long term issues in this field, and ST has showed so far a constant unwillingness to discuss them, let alone admit them or trying to change behavior. ST needs to finally reflect on them, and to understand these issues could lead to more serious consequences. A month long-break from deletion activities could be precious and could prevent more severe administrative actions in the future. Cavarrone 22:19, 7 September 2016 (UTC)
• Support Yes, quite clearly. He keeps ignoring opinions, and his apparent refusal to respond to new users at AfC is disturbing. ThePlatypusofDoom (talk) 23:41, 7 September 2016 (UTC)
• Oppose A month-long topic ban from AFD, NPP and AFC? No way, I don't think some of the people commenting here realize just how big the backlogs are, at least in the latter two areas. They're both thankless jobs which we desperately need more help with. If there are problems with a user's participation in those areas, we should be trying to help them, not topic ban them. As for the interaction ban issue, I'm confident that ST has learnt from his mistakes and will be more careful in the future. Omni Flames (talk) 23:58, 7 September 2016 (UTC)

Many have tried to help. ST's typical response is to ignore though there has also been belligerence. ST does do a lot of work and that's useful and I've tried to construct the proposal so as not to interfere with his productive contributions. I have not proposed a direct ban on NPP activities though he would be temporarily banned from deleting new stuff. ~Kvng (talk) 18:33, 8 September 2016 (UTC)

• Oppose. I continue to see good work from ST. He does sometimes seem to favor speed over quality, but I think he's trending in the right direction.--Mojo Hand (talk) 02:03, 8 September 2016 (UTC)
• Support - Only a one month topic ban may not be long enough, but a good start. The user has not yet expressed in any way that they understand what they were doing wrong, and the user has not yet expressed in any way that they are willing to work to improve their methodology. Any comments about backlogs is downright preposterous and relies on the invalid assumption that this user is "too big to fail". They are not. They are disruptive to the deletion processes here, and they need to be woken up. -- 1Wiki8........................... (talk) 06:20, 8 September 2016 (UTC)
• Oppose. While ST may arguably have a penchant towards speed over quality, I am familiar with his work which manifests an undeniable dedication to the project and is thus a net positive needing no special sanctions. I am sure that he, as a mature individual, will learn from this exasperating ANI thread, and will take care not to appear here again. Kudpung กุดผึ้ง (talk) 15:01, 8 September 2016 (UTC)

  I know you are familiar with NPP, but I also know you are keen to increase the quality, so this surprises me a little. You say he'll learn, and take care not to appear here again - but isn't that exactly where we were two or three times already? Why would this time be different? Also, I'm more than a little concerned that we haven't yet heard this from him. -- Begoon 16:00, 8 September 2016 (UTC)

• Oppose I'm in favor of making blocks and bans punitive. However, that's not the policy here. This recommendation sounds punitive for behavior that is really just bothersome and sloppy. I'm supporting the official condemnation in the hopes that an otherwise good editor can right the ship. Chris Troutman (talk) 17:09, 8 September 2016 (UTC)

You may see it otherwise but this proposed block is not intended to be punitive. There is a pattern of bothersome behavior that many see as WP:DISRUPTIVE. The community has not been able to address through discussion on talk pages or here at ANI. The behavior has continued through these attempts. I am aware of no reason to believe it will cease without intervention. The proposed block is intended to prevent it from continuing. ~Kvng (talk) 18:20, 8 September 2016 (UTC)

• Support. In the absence of a commitment from ST to take the feedback on board and improve the quality of his contributions in these areas I feel this is necessary. --Michig (talk) 18:05, 8 September 2016 (UTC)
• Support. SwisterTwister's AFD nominations frequently demonstrate an alarming lack of preparation. This wastes a significant amount of time and goodwill in a project area (AFD voting) that suffers from a lack of participation. Worse, his refusal to respond to reasonable questions and to withdraw when overwhelming evidence has been offered to satisfy his concerns (see, for example, the Willamette Valley Vineyards discussion) only compound matters. I have no opinion about his PRODs. In line with BITE and ADMINACCT principles, I think it's inappropriate to fail to respond to good-faith inquiries about declined AFC submissions, even if only to say: "Please re-read the comments I left on the draft." I don't view this proposal as punitive; I see it as a way to help SwisterTwister be more useful. (Technical note: I assume this proposal doesn't cover requesting speedy deletion for attack pages (G3 or G10), for pages in his own user space (U1), or for moves (G6).) Rebbing 18:14, 8 September 2016 (UTC)
• Yes. I've never interacted with this user. I'm active at Deletion Review and I've had the opportunity to see a lot of his comments (an awful lot of them; I think SwisterTwister has to be one of top three the most active people in our deletion processes). The number of his comments is very high, and the quality is very low. It would be worth taking a look at the average time gap between comments at AfD. I have not done this exercise, but on the evidence of his behaviour I suspect that if it was done, we'd soon see that he's not taking the time to look for sources.—S Marshall T/C 07:46, 9 September 2016 (UTC)
• Oppose. My experience is that he is someone willing to spend a huge amount of hours at AfD and is often the only person commenting on deletion threads. I don't think his votes are perfect all the time, but he's generally accurate. This is way too harsh and unnecessary, having never even been warned before. I definitely do not support this, and think we should encourage more activity in these areas. FuriouslySerene (talk) 18:03, 9 September 2016 (UTC)
• Support. The above is convincing enough for me to support this because I'm convinced that ST's conduct at this places is convincing. -- Tavix ^(talk) 20:03, 9 September 2016 (UTC)
• Support: This behavior is quite disruptive, always biting newbies when CSDing, PRODing new article that are notable. KGirlTrucker81 ^{huh? what I'm been doing} 20:28, 9 September 2016 (UTC)
• Oppose. I've seen ST vote delete and keep, it's not all one sided. ST's "interaction ban" thing may need attending to, but I think the AfD activities are being mischaracterized. Niteshift36 (talk) 05:21, 10 September 2016 (UTC)
• Oppose – From what I've seen, SwisterTwister does a lot of work and acts in good faith; we cannot expect them to make the "right" judgment call in all cases they address. I see a slight deletionist hand but nothing to be overly concerned about. — JFG ^talk 05:57, 10 September 2016 (UTC)
• Support. This doesn't prevent ST from !voting in AfDs, which I would've opposed if proposed. This seems like a reasonable, limited restriction given the facts. ---- Patar knight - ^chat/_{contributions} 15:50, 10 September 2016 (UTC)
• Strong Oppose per WP:NOTNOTHERE and WP:AGF Ⓩⓟⓟⓘⓧ (talk) 23:37, 10 September 2016 (UTC)
• [redacted due to response using the words "adamant", and the word "hostility", along with unreferenced allegations.] Unscintillating (talk) 00:15, 11 September 2016 (UTC)

As DGG noted earlier, this user along with others has only been adamant about removing a Delete voter from the AfD process; the user above has repeatedly voted Keep including with thin explanations such as "It was Kept six years ago, why should we renominate again?" and they get only respond with hostility if anyone tells them WP:NOTAGAIN applies. SwisterTwister talk 20:26, 11 September 2016 (UTC)

No, there has been no friction between us, and it does not start here. 

You might also want to review WP:NOTAGAIN, which states (emphasis in original), "An article that was kept in a past deletion discussion may still be deleted if deletion is supported by strong reasons that were not adequately addressed in the previous deletion discussion...If an article is frivolously...renominated...for deletion, then editors are justified in opposing the renomination. Frivolous renominations may constitute disrupting Wikipedia to illustrate a point, especially when there was a consensus to keep it in the past..."  Unscintillating (talk) 02:11, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

• Weak oppose When you have an editor that is highly active in an area you are always going to find some faults. I am not convinced that these outway the good work and obvious dedication thaey are showing. This is only a weak oppose as I admit that there are issues here that need to be addressed and because the sanctions proposed are not overly harsh. AIRcorn (talk) 22:45, 12 September 2016 (UTC)
• Comment I see that SwisterTwister came back to this discussion, after an absence of nearly two weeks, when Awilley notified him of the "keep away" decision. Once again he has nothing to say to the point, just a claim that this whole enormous discussion boils down to a few "Keep" !voters trying to eliminate a "Delete" !voter from the process. But in the first place, there are dozens of us commenting here and most of us are neither "keepers" nor "deletionists". And in the second place, Kvng's proposal would not stop ST from !voting at AfD, only from nominating articles for AfD or PROD. His only other comment was to defend an NAC close that had already been dismissed as a "non-issue". The bigger picture: ST still doesn't get it. He didn't understand the "keep away" controversy, and he doesn't understand why anyone has a problem with his delete nominations - or even THAT they do. He has been ignoring this discussion, and his few responses have been non-responsive. Those who say he will learn from this discussion, or will change his habits based on what is said here, are deluding themselves. He hasn't learned anything from all his previous trips to ANI, and he hasn't learned anything from this one either. Only official sanctions are going to change his behavior. (At least, I hope they will.) MelanieN (talk) 18:46, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

• Why do you say he doesn't understand the "keep away" controversy? I read his silence on that issue (as opposed to his comments on the topic ban and AfD closure) to indicate that he accepts the community feedback and prohibition of misleading interaction bans. Maybe I am an optimist, but I have seen ST change some of his editing behavior based on feedback he has received from me and others.--Mojo Hand (talk) 20:33, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

• Actually he wasn't silent on the subject of the keep-away orders; he was just clueless, didn't get it or chose not to get it. He commented on that issue here three times, on August 30, and each time he talked about ONE user who "caused him stress". He was asked multiple times, what about the OTHER six people you ordered to stay away from you, and then claimed as an interaction ban? No response. No further comment here. No comment on Awilley's post on his page. No recognition that this had been a pattern with him, no acknowledgement that he understands the issue and won't do it any more. In fact if he had said something like that - something showing that he now understands that the practice was inappropriate, and promises not to do it any more - I would have taken that in good faith. I would not have proposed the section above, for him to receive that instruction as an official warning. I only did that because it was clear to me that he wasn't hearing us. --MelanieN (talk) 23:26, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

• Support - While on my break, I still piddled regularly using my alter ego Farmer Brown, including patrolling ST's user page. This was after I closed the last ANI on ST [50] (as MelanieN has pointed out). This means I casually checked a lot of his work during that time. First, let me be clear that I like ST and even supported him for admin when he ran[51], but his work over the last year (maybe longer) has been rushed and sloppy, to the point that it affects others greatly. This includes New Page Patrol and AFD. I don't say this as a statement on his character, but on his performance. I'm not saying all or even most of his work is problematic, it seems to go in spells. I'm saying that it is a net negative to have him around deletions because the efforts to follow and fix is greater than the value of the good work, in my opinion. With this in mind, I have to support. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 23:00, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

We should not be trying to assess ST's net contribution. This concept has been mentioned in supports and opposes. We will not be able to build a consensus around a net contribution assessment as there is no formula for net contribution. We need to be focusing here on ST's negative contributions. Please support the proposal if you beleive the negative contributions are disruptive enough to merit action to prevent them from continuing. ~Kvng (talk) 15:15, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

• Support: I find Swister Twister to be far too fast to decline submissions and nominate potentially decent articles for deletion. Whoever used the phrase "deletionist robot" was apt; ST needs to slow down, thing things through and not exceed his authority. I notice that the sanction is carefully worded and he could still !vote on others' noms. Montanabw^(talk) 04:37, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

kick to arbcom

Not likely. Blackmane (talk) 04:33, 9 September 2016 (UTC)
The following discussion has been closed. Please do not modify it.
maybe? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2600:387:5:805:0:0:0:7A (talk) 19:04, 8 September 2016 (UTC) Why? Your comment sounds like stirring the pot. There's a proposal above that's currently being discussed. FoCuS contribs; talk to me! 00:47, 9 September 2016 (UTC) Uh.... No. Why would they even accept this case? ThePlatypusofDoom (talk) 00:50, 9 September 2016 (UTC)

AFD closes

Not a problem ~Awilley (talk) 14:49, 14 September 2016 (UTC)
The following discussion has been closed. Please do not modify it.
User:SwisterTwister closing AFDs early, such as they did today on Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Healthy Habits, is troubling. That ST also tagged the article AND did the AFD close is more troubling. -- 1Wiki8........................... (talk) 22:18, 11 September 2016 (UTC) This is a non-issue. SwisterTwister tagged Healthy Habits for speedy deletion when he saw that it applied. DGG deleted it but did not close the discussion. This happens sometimes. It's entirely appropriate for anyone – including the person who nominated the article for speedy deletion – to close the deletion discussion when that happens. This is known as "general housekeeping" under WP:NAC. NinjaRobotPirate (talk) 23:35, 11 September 2016 (UTC) Thanks for the explanation. Such an explanation on the close comments would have been most helpful. The closing comment ST left was very abrupt and non-informative. -- 1Wiki8........................... (talk) 23:39, 11 September 2016 (UTC) I suggest this be closed as one isolated event of an acceptable close is not concerning; I specifically closed it because it was speedied; what's the exact concern here? Aside from apparently not giving a sufficient explanation? I've closed several AfDs with no issues. Numerous and numerous people have made these closes before, and the user makes no attempts at including these or at least enhancing their statements. SwisterTwister talk 03:23, 12 September 2016 (UTC) If you feel that it is fine to continue closing AFDs with vague comments that cause confusion and waste other editors time, then so be it. -- 1Wiki8........................... (talk) 06:58, 12 September 2016 (UTC) ST saw a deletion discussion, tagged the article for speedy deletion, DGG deleted it, ST closed the deletion discussion. Is this non-ideal behaviour? It could be ST and DGG tag-teaming to obfuscate nefarious improper deletions, except that it is not plausible. DGG is the admin carrying admin responsibility and accountability, and is well above such silly behaviour, and if not is easily held to account. And the AfD nominator and single !voter were very clear and strong for deletion, with no one suggesting anything else, and so there is no bar on speedy deletion (a single Keep !voter can bar a speedy deletion). So, the speedy tagging and deletion were good. ST then cleaned up the redundant AfD. ST has trouble with his explanations (a language barrier I believe?), but this AfD is not an example of it. --SmokeyJoe (talk) 03:40, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

Persistent and unfounded allegation of Sock puppetry

Note: This ANI complaint and Wikipedia:Administrators' noticeboard/Incidents#Gravuritas not behaving well above have become linked because they both now address persistent unfounded allegations of sock puppetry (though the other one addresses other unfounded allegations as well).

Gravuritas (talk · contribs · count · logs · page moves · block log) has been persistently reinserting material at Causes of Brexit even though it was unsupported by any of the provided references. He has desisted from this for now so this is not the subject of this complaint. However, during the discussion on the talk page, another editor (IP 85.255.237.66) made a post broadly opposing the insertion of the unsupported material. In amongst Gravuritas's response was an allegation that this other editor and myself were sock puppets (presumably because we were agreeing the Gravuritas was wrong - even though he would not accept it). Diff:and also check the edit summary. Gravuritas was warned about unfounded allegations of this sort (diff). He almost immediately responded with another allegation (diff). Another warning (diff). And yet another allegation (diff).

Note to checkusers: I know that you do not publicly connect user accounts with an IP address. In this case I have no problem with a check user being performed because I know that a connection will not be made. --Elektrik Fanne 17:20, 8 September 2016 (UTC)

Notified user in question of thread. Weegeerunner ^{chat it up} 17:23, 8 September 2016 (UTC)

@Weegeerunner: Well give us a chance! Our notifications appeared simultaneously. --Elektrik Fanne 17:27, 8 September 2016 (UTC)

Thanks to both for the notifications. The original disagreement revolved around section headed 'Lies and misleading information' in the WP article. Material which I felt was justified for inclusion with WP:RS effectively describing it as 'misleading' was deleted by EF because she/he felt that the RS had not described it as 'deliberately misleading'. She persisted multiple times with this straw man, and could not seem to grasp that changing the term under discussion by her own addition of 'deliberately' to the criterion for inclusion was clearly illegitimate. The degree of persistence in this error I found very surprising and unusual. When another editor joined in and repeatedly made the same error, it seemed stretching the bounds of likelihood that two such persistent enthusiasts for the same straw man could be different people. It certainly looked like a sock.

Gravuritas (talk) 17:50, 8 September 2016 (UTC)

This is not discussing your continued attempts to insert material claiming that the remain campaign's claim was deliberately misleading when the sources did not make that claim. Indeed they stated that the fundamental claim was correct but that there was difference in opinion over the size of the financial penalty. That is not evidence of intent to mislead and the other editor clearly agreed as did one other editor who contributed to the discussion. That editors agree that you are wrong when you are wrong is not evidence that they are the same person and WP:SPI is littered with such allegations. This discussion is over your repeated and unfounded allegations of sock puppetry, which you have repeated once again above - and nothing else. --Elektrik Fanne 18:36, 8 September 2016 (UTC)

I am aware of the thread topic, and I was trying to explain how a reasonable person might have cause to believe that you and the other editor were one and the same. Your first sentence in the para above once again repeats the falsehood based on your repeated error. I have not ever tried to insert material claiming that the Remain campaign's claim was deliberately misleading. Your inclusion of 'deliberately' in the sentence suggests that you have not understood a word of the multiple posts on this subject. Can you seriously, seriously, not understand that 'misleading' is not the same concept as 'deliberately misleading'? Because if so, then you and one you claim is not a sock are probably in a 0.1% minority.

Gravuritas (talk) 20:35, 8 September 2016 (UTC)

You kept inserting the claim in the section "Lies and misleading information". Lies and misinformation is by definition a deliberate attempt to deceive. Thus you are claiming that your continually reverted claim was made with intent to deceive. The point that you cannot seem to grasp is that there is nothing in the sources to support that assertion.

Administrators: Gravuritas has now repeated his allegation for a fifth time above and yet not offered a shred of evidence beyond the fact that three editors have agreed that he was wrong to disruptively edit in the manner in which he did. Since making allegations of sock puppetry without evidence is prohibited, I must now insist on sanctions of some description in this matter. --Elektrik Fanne 07:43, 9 September 2016 (UTC)

Take the whole conversation- here and previously- to someone who can parse an English sentence and ask them to explain it to you.

Gravuritas (talk) 08:38, 9 September 2016 (UTC)

I have lost count of the number of times that have explained to you how an opinion from a committee (and committees are notoriously unreliable sources of anything) that the fundamental claim was correct but that they disagreed with the financial impact is not evidence that the entire statement was made with intent to deceive as you keep maintaining. On the other hand, you have never addressed how the sources support the clear implication (by including it in the lies and misinformation section) that it was deliberately misleading.

However, you are attempting to carry the discussion of your disruptive editing here. That is not what this ANI complaint is about. You have not addressed your persistent and unfounded allegations of sock puppetry with zero evidence. --Elektrik Fanne 10:06, 9 September 2016 (UTC)

I think you are genuine in your misapprehension here, so I will attempt to explain once more. If I insert material and justify it according to a criterion, then you cannot claim that my insertion was based on a different criterion. To do so is a 'straw man' error- you built a straw man of your choosing and demolished it, but claimed that what you demolished was mine. (And you've just done it again in the para above- you say that I keep maintaining that the entire statement was meant to deceive and that is false: I have never once claimed that.).

Your inability to understand the straw man error is unusual: most WP editors would have grasped it way back in our posts. The IP address editor was unusual in exactly the same way, in the same words. That's evidence that you are one and the same. It's not knock-down evidence- it wouldn't justify a criminal 'beyond reasonable doubt' conviction, but I think there is a fair chance that it would get me the verdict in a civil 'balance of probabilities' case. In any case it is not zero evidence, as you say above. We'll see.

Gravuritas (talk) 11:27, 9 September 2016 (UTC)

Right, I'm getting fed up with this. Gravuritas has continued to claim that everyone else is failing to comprehend what is not in the references. He is deliberately trying to derail this complaint into being treated as a content dispute. This discussion does not belong here. For anyone interested in how the references do not support Gravuritas's claims, I have posted the discussion where it should be on the article talk page. Do not discuss it further here.

The only point Gravuritas should be addressing is: his persistent and unfounded allegations of sock puppetry - the point of this ANI and completely unresponded to by Gravuritas in any satisfactory manner. --Elektrik Fanne 17:35, 9 September 2016 (UTC)

I should add that this user has persistently been impolite. He has pushed me to the point that I would post a message saying "Stop it! Right now! I'm not kidding!" on his userpage, what I would not normally do. Whenever I would edit Impact of the privatisation of British Rail, he would revert my edits without responding properly to the verbose justification I left on the talk page. That's not nice. He furthermore suggested (this is not a joke) I would ejaculate prematurely (see his talk page and edit history of the said article), he posted, as a response to one of my inquiries "See the appropriate Talk page, and don't try to teach your grandmother to suck eggs, sonny." and also otherwise, in his edit comments on the mentioned article he's not being nice. To be honest, I'm fed up with that (although it's also funny in a way). --Mathmensch (talk) 17:51, 8 September 2016 (UTC)

• In this case I have no problem with a check user being performed because I know that a connection will not be made. Obviously a connection will not be made between Elektrik Fanne and 85.255.237.66, because EF doesn't usually edit from Vodafone (who would?). If the Vodafone user is to be connected, it would have to rely on behavioural evidence. Burninthruthesky (talk) 09:39, 9 September 2016 (UTC)

The only behavioural evidence here is two editors (supported by a third) disagreeing with an editor hammering in material unsupported by the provided sources on one point on one talk page. --Elektrik Fanne 10:06, 9 September 2016 (UTC)

I haven't studied the conversation in detail. It's entirely possible there is a Vodafone user following you around (and I believe I have previously been mistaken about who it was). BTW, while we're talking about false allegations of sock puppetry, I should caution you to desist from making allegations like this [52]. As you know, your allegation was investigated and dis-proven. Burninthruthesky (talk) 10:49, 9 September 2016 (UTC)

Indeed. But you have (very conveniently) only told half the story. It is true I made an SPI complaint about you and a fellow troll. The bit you failed to mention was that I was momentarily blocked for raising an 'unfounded SPI complaint', but equally quickly unblocked as the complaint was determined to have been made in good faith (which implies that a reasonable person might have made it). --Elektrik Fanne 16:20, 9 September 2016 (UTC)

No, I have not "only told half the story". Your past unblock has nothing to do with the fact you knew that your socking allegation had been mistaken, when you repeated it on this noticeboard several months later.

You seem to have trouble grasping the distinction between a mistake and a lie. This is something in common with the IP under discussion, so I see Gravuritas' point that there is some behavioural evidence. I also see some strawman arguments in Talk:Ignition system, where you were supported [53] by an IP you subsequently used yourself [54]. Burninthruthesky (talk) 21:51, 9 September 2016 (UTC)

Going off at half cock again. First edit is not mine, but that is dynamic IP addresses for you - they are nearly a month apart. With dynamic IP addresses, you get a new IP address every time you log on to the internet and there is no control what you get. If you bothered to check the edit history for the second, you would have noticed that I noticed that I had somehow been logged out and made the fact that the edit was from me crystal clear [55] and [56] so there is no demonstrable attempt to avoid scrutiny. But in any case, the IP address is not related to the one in question. But perhaps the main reason for your contribution here is because I was instrumental in stopping you and your trolling companion (or alter-ego), Hengistmate at Plasticine. --Elektrik Fanne 16:06, 10 September 2016 (UTC)

More misdirection. This discussion is about persistent and unfounded allegations of sock puppetry, the latest of which is in the post above. [57] For the last time, I am not Hengistmate. [58] Watch out for the WP:BOOMERANG. Burninthruthesky (talk) 07:11, 11 September 2016 (UTC)

Gravuritas now suggested I was a "stalker" and engaging in "POV pushing". This series of insults has to end. --Mathmensch (talk) 19:08, 9 September 2016 (UTC)

I should like to be informed whether further complaints about Gravuritas shall be moved to a distinct section. But his behaviour is not as polite as it should be, and he seems to suggest that I do not possess sufficient maturity to participate. I think this kind of impoliteness could be disruptive and it is not nice towards the authors. --Mathmensch (talk) 21:00, 11 September 2016 (UTC)

"Impoliteness"? More like incivility and possibly WP:NPA. Something must be done about that immediately. Callmemirela 🍁 {Talk} ♑ 21:13, 11 September 2016 (UTC)

Please let me know if Mathmensch's allegations are to be dealt with here- if so I would like to respond. I have not responded to him so far in this thread as I thought that his posts here were off-topic, and hence any response would also be off-topic.

Gravuritas (talk) 04:59, 12 September 2016 (UTC)

I think they should as they are certainly off piste here. I cannot comment on that specific problem as I have not found Gravuritas to be uncivil beyond his allegations that because others cannot comprehend his interpretation of what sources don't say, they must be the same person who cannot see text that is not there. --Elektrik Fanne 11:47, 12 September 2016 (UTC)

Gravuritas still making unfounded allegations

New allegation here (this one involving three fresh users). No evidence presented beyond the usual 'A' disagrees with me and 'B' disagrees with me therefore they must be a sock because I cannot possibly be wrong. --Elektrik Fanne 12:43, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

You are mistaken about three fresh users. It was one IP making three or four edits. Your characterisation of my evidence as 'the usual' is false- I have never presented evidence along those lines before this occasion, where I was abbreviating an argument. I accept the evidence in this case was too weak to go forward with it, and I withdraw it with an apology.

Gravuritas (talk) 18:29, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

Further evidence

Following from this discussion, I found further evidence of sock puppetry by EF and submitted it to Wikipedia:Sockpuppet investigations/Elektrik Fanne. If this discussion is still live, it should perhaps be taken into account. Burninthruthesky (talk) 15:47, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

User:AdamDeanHall jumping the gun with WP:AIV reports

A month ago, User:Howiebraunstein made several well-meaning but not-good edits here.

Shortly after the last edit, User:AdamDeanHall:

• reverted all of Braunstein's edits with a really literal, really unhelpful edit summary at 22:49
• provided Braunstein with a strange, template-seeming-but-not-actually-a-template first-and-only warning for vandalism at 22:51
• and reported him at AIV at 22:53.

That's reverted, final warned, and reported, all in the span of four minutes.

Braunstein has not edited that article since the last in that series of edits Hall reverted. Per this message from User:Mrschimpf, a lot of work has gone into converting Braunstein into a better editor and Hall's highly inappropriate report could do real damage to that work. Hall did not respond to questions in that thread from Mrschimpf or me and it's since been archived.

Today, User:KyloRen123 added a claim to Star Wars: Episode VIII claiming that the film, which is still in production and doesn't come out until late next year, will be released in 2D, 3D, RealD3D, and IMAX formats. (I've looked around and found a few possible sources but nothing ironclad. At this moment, it looks like nobody, including director Rian Johnson, knows what format they'll use.)

Just like last month, shortly after that edit, Hall:

• reverted Ren's edit with a weird edit summary, this time one that could constitute a violation of the WP:OWN policy, at 18:19
• provided Ren with a strange, template-seeming-but-not-actually-a-template first-and-only warning for vandalism at 18:22
• and reported them at AIV at 18:25.

That's reverted, final warned, and reported to AIV, all in the span of six minutes.

I am not defending Ren's behavior or contributions. This person was causing more problems than doing good work, they ignored repeated offers to help and warnings to stop, they're gone for a month, and the project is better off thanks to a good, wholly unobjectionable block by User:Widr. I'm concerned that twice, Hall went through the revert-warn-report process when you're not supposed to go from warning to reporting unless the person has re-offended. These problems have been raised repeatedly with Hall in various places and he never seems to respond to anybody raising objections. Note that it's been over two hours since I created a thread at Hall's talk to ask him to explain this. He's edited several articles since but has not replied to me, nor to User:LLArrow's message right below mine. (And this pattern of inappropriate behavior and refusal to explain is probably a lot more substantial than just these two situations, per Mschrimpf and LLArrow.)

When I brought this up last month, after a long, contentious discussion (What? I was involved in a long, contentious discussion? Weird, right?), it was decided that since Hall was apparently aware of the issue, good faith would be assumed and admin User:KrakatoaKatie asked me to go to ANI if I ever felt that "there's a long-term behavioral issue". I was on the fence about this then; now, I believe this clearly constitutes a long-term behavioral issue. Others have noticed. And as I said before, it's really strange that Hall, who has been editing for just over ten years, remains so perpetually unaware of how to do stuff around here. RunnyAmiga ※ talk 21:59, 8 September 2016 (UTC)

Adding, I tried to notify every user I mentioned here except KyloRen123, who is blocked for a month. RunnyAmiga ※ talk 22:06, 8 September 2016 (UTC)

• I'm in and out for the rest of the weekend, so I'll give my two cents now. As an AIV admin who is increasingly frustrated with the revert/warn/report cycle taking place in the space of mere seconds sometimes, I'd like an answer from ADH about his behavior. I expected him to say something in that discussion on my talk page that's linked here, but he didn't, and I find his lack of communication to be disturbing. I'll check back to see what ADH says. Katie^talk 22:14, 8 September 2016 (UTC)

• This "jumping the gun", as you put it, seems to be an increasing problem at AIV recently. I agree with Katie here. BethNaught (talk) 22:23, 8 September 2016 (UTC)

• Give them a strong warning & that if they do it again they'll be blocked, If they do it again block 'em per WP:Disruptive editing which is what it is anyway, Reverting, Warning and then reporting to AIV all in the space of 5 minutes (and when the editor hasn't even been on) isn't really how it's done and if they think otherwise then I question their competence but anyway warn them & if they repeat it block 'em. –Davey2010^Talk 22:44, 8 September 2016 (UTC)

• Not entirely sure why they've decided to ignore this entire report and simply edit a wikilink in my above comment, Not really productive nor helpful ..... –Davey2010^Talk 22:55, 8 September 2016 (UTC)
• Wouldn't it be more appropriate to warn and then immediately block? clpo13_(talk) 23:21, 8 September 2016 (UTC)

• That sounds beautiful!, Yes let's do that instead :) –Davey2010^Talk 23:50, 8 September 2016 (UTC)

• This particular user has been the bane of many other editors existence for quite some time now. This is just a few examples of the disruptive/ownership qualities they have demonstrated time and again. I'd like to see decisive and permanent action taken. LLArrow (talk) 23:13, 8 September 2016 (UTC)
• ADH responded on Katie's talk page. NinjaRobotPirate (talk) 23:56, 8 September 2016 (UTC)

• It should never have gone to AIV to begin with, it was an ANI issue. The free form format here is designed to deal with those issues. AIV is more rigidly formatted as there isn't much discussion, just decision making. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 00:05, 9 September 2016 (UTC)
• This really needs to stop; I also had this interaction with ADH last week where I uploaded a properly licensed PNG image of WPWR-TV's new logo which lists a cable position and is used on-air, and they reverted back to a low-quality direct JPG saying 'If I still had Comcast, I'd be watching CW 50 on Comcast channel 184', which is not appropriate at all. Their WP:OWN issues with Chicago television articles really need to stop (I had to walk on eggshells trying to get my sourced edits to the WGN-TV/WPWR affiliation switch to stick). They also have major OWN problems with 2016–17 United States network television schedule (and years before) where his terms for time periods ('late fall/winter/spring' is more direct for a scheduling period but they refuse to consider that and go with a vague 'follow up' which is not a television industry term at all, and they refuse any attempt at compromise by not saying a word; I've given up there) are their rule of law. Their reactions to vandalism are beyond the pale, and these issues with ADH need to be dealt with once and for all. I must also ask for ADH to respond to this; their silence on any issue brought up is unacceptable. Nate • (chatter) 00:11, 9 September 2016 (UTC)

(edit conflict) He's learned that silence works given he's never been blocked for his various issues and editors give up rather than tie a can to his tail and get that infernal "follow-up" term gone. Time to take back the article and make an important point. --Drmargi (talk) 01:35, 9 September 2016 (UTC)

Hall responded on Katie's talk and my talk with the same message:

I warned KyloRen123 not to add unsourced material to the Star Wars: Episode VIII page, but I shouldn't have reported him on the Administrator intervention against vandalism page. Jumping the gun with my WP:AIV report was a mistake. Next time, I just warn him. AdamDeanHall"

I responded:

"If you look at the discussion I started on Widr's talk page, no, you were actually right to do that. That's not even scratching the surface of the issue, though, and if you don't mind, I'd like to keep any more discussion at WP:ANI. It's not really about me so it probably shouldn't be on my talk page. RunnyAmiga"

Update: Okay. I should have come here first before replying to him. After reading what everybody said here, I removed that message and posted this one:

"Go to WP:ANI and discuss there. People are not happy, and it's not just about your bad AIV report. RunnyAmiga"

Predictably, nothing but that ridiculous refactor of User:Davey2010's link. Oh, but he's also since added an infobox at the article for a 19-year-old TV movie starring Yasmine Bleeth. So that's nice. RunnyAmiga ※ talk 02:31, 9 September 2016 (UTC)

So what happened? He found the one complaint I made that wasn't really on the ball, seems to have copied text from my headline and pasted it into his replies, apologized for something that wasn't as offensive as everything else, and ignored the several other issues that have been raised, including the problem of going through the vandalism-reporting cycle at supersonic speed. And he still hasn't posted here. Whatever happens, happens, so let me just say: I'm really not impressed, and I doubt anybody else is either. RunnyAmiga ※ talk 00:43, 9 September 2016 (UTC)

But he had enough time to slip in and do this. That's ADH in a nutshell. We've got a WP:COMPETENCE issue here. --Drmargi (talk) 01:40, 9 September 2016 (UTC)

I warned KyloRen123 not to add unsourced material to the Star Wars: Episode VIII page, but I shouldn't have reported him on the Administrator intervention against vandalism page. Jumping the gun with my WP:AIV report was a mistake. Next time, I'll just warn him. AdamDeanHall (talk) 02:33, 9 September 2016 (UTC)

@AdamDeanHall: Adam, I already posted that here. It's not even close to the only problem with you. Can you please read this entire thread and respond to people, and maybe have something to say other than text you copied from somewhere else that's already been linked to and copied here? You're doing nothing to help your cause. RunnyAmiga ※ talk 02:36, 9 September 2016 (UTC)

And what about last month ? ... Was that a mistake too ? .... I call bollocks on the whole thing - You wanted said users blocked so you thought fuck it I'll try & game the system .... Unfortunately for you it's backfired spectacularly, Back on topic I would suggest you don't revert anyone (even if it's vandalism), Don't warn anyone and certainly don't go to AIV, Stick to editing. –Davey2010^Talk 02:43, 9 September 2016 (UTC)

I do apologize for all the trouble I've been causing, like reverting all edits with really literal, really unhelpful edit summaries, providing people with strange, template-seeming-but-not-actually-a-template-first-and-only warning for vandalism, and reporting them at AIV. I won't do this ever again. I'll just stick to editing from now on. AdamDeanHall (talk) 02:47, 9 September 2016 (UTC)

Adam, I have absolutely no doubt that you haven't read this entire thread. Right up there I said you should "maybe have something to say other than text you copied from somewhere else" and you replied with text you copied from somewhere else. (And that's not to mention that per Widr, your report of KyloRen123 at AIV was good! It was appropriate! Why are you saying you won't ever report anybody to AIV ever again?) I mean, I'm trying here, but you've not given any real indication that you understand what you're doing. Maybe a topic ban would do the trick, but you've done so much harm at such a wide range of articles that I couldn't list all the topics you should be banned from. RunnyAmiga ※ talk 02:58, 9 September 2016 (UTC)

He's copying what Davey2010 said. It honestly sounds kind of like a Jedi mind trick: "You will stay away from AIV and stick to editing." "I will stay away from AIV and stick to editing." I honestly don't know what to make of that. NinjaRobotPirate (talk) 03:06, 9 September 2016 (UTC)

AdamDeanHall, we'd like to hear in your own words – in your own words – that you understand the problem here. We're wondering if there's a CIR issue, and you're doing yourself no favors with this copy-and-paste routine. Katie^talk 12:00, 9 September 2016 (UTC)

I understand what's going on here, and I'm sorry I broke the rules and regulations of Wikipedia. Next time, I'll just follow the rules and not vandalize any other editor's pages. AdamDeanHall (talk) 13:39, 9 September 2016 (UTC)

I'm sorry, but you say that every time to duck out of trouble. You need to actually engage and discuss rather than just throwing up a boilerplate apology, a couple WP: mentions and thinking that's it. This is a collaborative community and I have seen no signs you actually intend to do so. I'm afraid I remain unconvinced that you have understanding what is going on; this is not about vandalizing at all, but taking an iron-fist approach to first time editors and incredibly minor vandalism by IP's, along with page ownership concerns and removing issues you don't agree with and hoping we'll forget and move on. Expand on this and understand the issues, please. Nate • (chatter) 21:35, 9 September 2016 (UTC)

Sometimes I have trouble understanding that Wikipedia owns the pages and I don't. And I also try to avoid starting an edit war, like I did twice, and to avoid violating the three-revert rule, like I did once. In addition, I keep trying not to edit disruptively, especially in good faith. And finally, I try to avoid getting blocked, like I did three times. Please let me know what you think. AdamDeanHall (talk) 22:33, 9 September 2016 (UTC)

@AdamDeanHall: In my first message in this thread, I said this:

"I'm concerned that twice, Hall went through the revert-warn-report process when you're not supposed to go from warning to reporting unless the person has re-offended."

In the situations with Howiebraunstein a month ago and KyloRen123 the other day, you took those three steps (revert an editor's bad edit, warn the editor, report the editor to AIV) and in the meantime, neither user had edited anything. I don't want a promise that you won't do it again. I want to know: why are you "not supposed to go from warning to reporting unless the person has re-offended?" Why is that something you shouldn't do? RunnyAmiga ※ talk 23:50, 9 September 2016 (UTC)

Because I didn't know that I wasn't supposed to violate the WP:AIV thing until you started this discussion yesterday. It seems that I have taken this reverting-warning-reporting thing a bit too far. Does this help at all? Please let me know right away. AdamDeanHall (talk) 00:03, 10 September 2016 (UTC)

@AdamDeanHall: But if I did that, I'd be in trouble too. And so would anybody else. Why can't you, I, or anybody else do that? What exactly is so offensive about it? RunnyAmiga ※ talk 00:06, 10 September 2016 (UTC)

Really, I find nothing offensive about that. It just...didn't occur to me until now. What do you think? AdamDeanHall (talk) 01:52, 10 September 2016 (UTC)

@AdamDeanHall:My previous questions weren't worded very well. Please disregard them. Here's a re-wording:

In the situations with Howiebraunstein a month ago and KyloRen123 the other day, you took those three steps (revert an editor's bad edit, warn the editor, report the editor to AIV) and in the meantime, neither user had edited anything. Why are editors "not supposed to go from warning to reporting unless the person has re-offended?" Why is that something nobody is allowed to do? RunnyAmiga ※ talk 06:25, 10 September 2016 (UTC)

Honestly, this has become a blatant farce. Hall is manipulating the system and playing it like a fiddle. This sort of behaviour warrants a particular response. That response should be enforced, or else what's the use of our regulatory system?. LLArrow (talk) 03:13, 10 September 2016 (UTC)

I was more concerned about the page Star Wars: Episode VIII. Days ago, the user KyloRen123 added an unsourced content about 3D. I was just trying to make sure no unsourced content was added. That was what I found to be offensive. Unsourced content shouldn't be added to all Wikipedia pages. AdamDeanHall (talk) 11:49, 10 September 2016 (UTC)

@AdamDeanHall: I understand but answering my question is a way for you to demonstrate that you know what the problem is with going from warning a possible vandal to reporting that person for vandalism without waiting for the person to vandalize again. So please re-read my question (posted here on September 10 at 6:25) and answer it. RunnyAmiga ※ talk 18:15, 10 September 2016 (UTC)

Because I knew I couldn't wait until the person vandalized the page again and again, so I had to act real fast to prevent the Star Wars: Episode VIII page from being vandalized. AdamDeanHall (talk) 20:28, 10 September 2016 (UTC)

• One thing I'mm certainly noticing in Adam's responses here are "What do you think?" and "Let me know right away" .... Perhaps I'm misreading this or at worst assuming bad faith but It really comes across as the user has no understanding and is simply telling RunnyAmiga what they wanna hear ......, I really do get the impression there's no understanding here at all, Perhaps this should be closed with a "Do it again and you'll be blocked for a very long time". –Davey2010^Talk 18:40, 10 September 2016 (UTC)

  @Davey2010: What I think the problem is with a response like this is that it's not a final, established resolution, the sort of thing that several users who've had these negative interactions with Hall deserve. Let's say an admin closes with a note at his talk saying literally what you're going for here: "Regarding the discussion at ANI, do it again and you'll be blocked for a very long time." If you're right and the level of understanding is that problematic, his response, if it comes, would almost certainly be something like, "Do what again?" And we'd have to wait for him to screw up again, which could take another month. Preemptively stopping this stuff, whether it's Hall understanding what the problem is or whether it's him proving he doesn't get it and an admin responding by blocking or topic banning, is why I started this thread.

  I don't know. I'm going to keep nagging for a response to my re-worded question up there until either I get it or an admin just puts a stop to everything because an actual response (and he has posted a bit of worthwhile stuff here) will provide closure, whether or not it's the sort of closure he's probably hoping for. RunnyAmiga ※ talk 20:38, 10 September 2016 (UTC)

I just gave you my response to the question you've been asking again and again. It's up there. AdamDeanHall (talk) 20:45, 10 September 2016 (UTC)

@AdamDeanHall: That's true, but I feel that you and others misunderstood me because I didn't word it very well. The re-worded question is quite different from the badly-worded question that I asked and you answered. Can you take a crack at the re-worded version? RunnyAmiga ※ talk 20:54, 10 September 2016 (UTC)

Editors are not supposed to go from warning to reporting unless the person has re-vandalized because it is the wrong thing for them to do. And they would get indefinitely blocked for that. AdamDeanHall (talk) 21:01, 10 September 2016 (UTC)

KyloRen123 is a suspected sock puppet of Kingo7672 (who was indefinitely blocked for severe WP:CIR issues). Because he is currently being investigated, AdamDeanHall's report and the current 1 month block are likely redundant and probably won't matter in the long run. DarkKnight2149 21:09, 10 September 2016 (UTC)

@Darkknight2149: Had KyloRen123 returned, it's almost a given that they'd have been indefinitely blocked after five edits at most. And per the investigation, yeah, Ren's about to be gone for good anyway. That's not really the point of this thread, though. RunnyAmiga ※ talk 22:22, 10 September 2016 (UTC)

After ADH's last response I have to agree with User:Drmargi 's raising of WP:CIR. Meters (talk) 21:24, 10 September 2016 (UTC)

@Meters: I don't know how many times I've tried to get a clear, valid answer. That, yet again, I tried to get one and didn't is obvious: if something is against policy then of course it's wrong. The simple question is "why is it against the rules?" I've asked that several different ways and I haven't gotten a substantial answer.

So I'm done unless there's a vote or something. I'll defer to Katie or whichever admin comes along but at this point, all I can say is that I strongly oppose an indefinite block per CIR because anyone who can edit like this is obviously something more than wholly incompetent. RunnyAmiga ※ talk 22:22, 10 September 2016 (UTC)

@Meters: Competence is part of the issue, youth appears to be an issue, too, given the juvenile nature of many of ADH's responses. But I must say, I'm also uncomfortable with the way RunnyAmiga has been badgering him, particularly given his own all too recent issues with abuse of anti-vandalism tools and procedures. I think questions put to ADH might best come from one admin, by way of a dialogue, rather than a series of editors. I think the responses will be better and more on point. --Drmargi (talk) 22:33, 10 September 2016 (UTC)

@Drmargi: While I'm not sure how anything to do with me is relevant, nor am I clear on the accuracy of the term "badgering," nor do I have access to the source of the term "youth" given that Hall has been editing here for ten years, I still kind of figured something like this would come up. To be clear: I persisted solely to get an answer to a question that I now am pretty satisfied won't ever come, and as I just said, I'm done trying. Are you wrong that an admin taking over will make a difference? I don't know. I also don't know what you've seen to make you consider that possible. Because given a decade's worth of circumstantial evidence, I'm pretty comfortable making a guess that there are almost certainly behavioral issues here that run deeper than some consideration of Hall's age. (Which, uh, how old is he? Is this known information?) RunnyAmiga ※ talk 22:48, 10 September 2016 (UTC)

Signal boost

This discussion has sat dormant for 68 hours and could use attention from an administrator. RunnyAmiga ※ talk 18:48, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

Talk page harassment by Alexis Ivanov

The following discussion is closed. Please do not modify it. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

---

This editor has been restoring content I have deleted from my own talkpage, [59] and [60] and has also been making harassment posts in other threads [61]. It comes about just after the end of a period of enforced mentoring given as the result of a previous talkpage harassment case [62]. I raised the issue [63] with the closer of the last ANI case, and he suggested starting a new one. This harassment arrived out of the blue, I have had no recent disputes or indeed any recent interactions with this editor prior to this harassment occurring (the only prior interaction I recall was over some content on Muslim conquests on the Indian subcontinent almost a year ago). Tiptoethrutheminefield (talk) 14:48, 9 September 2016 (UTC)

Additional examples from the last few days - not directed against me. Creating a thread titled "How many times are you going to vandalize" [64] that labels an editor's work as vandalism when clearly it is not - it is obviously a content dispute. In the ensuing discussion Alexis Ivanov makes assumptions of ethnicity: "a clean manifestation of your Iranian bias right here", and uses insulting language: "Please don't embarrass yourself again", "once someone doesn't agree you have to go ahead and throw a tantrum". More name calling here [65]: "Your hypocrisy is outstanding", plus crude sarcasm: "I'm ignorant of the subject and you are the genius here. I will let you have your candy"; "I'm stupid. Next time I will try my best to please you okay". More insults here [66]: "he doesn't have the mental capacity to edit any Saljuq article", and a repetition of the "vandalism" accusation. And here are more references to ethnicity with assumptions of bad faith [67] "I realize you must push your Iranian bias in every article", more personal insults [68] "you had to throw a childish tantrum"; and a repeat of the mental capacity insult [69] "There is no way this information will enter your head". And at the end of it all we have Alexis Ivanov's mentor congratulating him on his "humility" and improved way of doing things! Tiptoethrutheminefield (talk) 21:36, 12 September 2016 (UTC)

I left a note (but I don't see evidence that you have notified the other party, please do so).--S Philbrick(Talk) 15:14, 9 September 2016 (UTC)

I had left a notification on the page of the editor's mentor, in a thread which Alexis Ivanov has been posting in, so I assumed he was aware. However I will now place a note on his talk page too. Thanks for pointing this out. Tiptoethrutheminefield (talk) 21:38, 9 September 2016 (UTC)

You stated "I will be opening an ANI" so I wasn't aware of your future actions Alexis Ivanov (talk) 22:14, 9 September 2016 (UTC)

Yes, sorry, it was an unwarranted assumption to make. Now rectified. However, I think I've initiated just one ANI case before, so was not aware of the procedures (I now have noted the instructions in red at the top of the page). Tiptoethrutheminefield (talk) 22:31, 9 September 2016 (UTC)

However, while the reversion was improper, labeling a warning as vandalism is not helpful. While other editors should not react to such misinformation, it doesn't help.--S Philbrick(Talk) 15:17, 9 September 2016 (UTC)

His first restoration of deleted content was a breach of talk page protocol (a protocol someone already undergoing sanctions for breaches of talk page protocols should really have known about). His second restoration of the deleted content can fairly be called vandalism because it occurred after I had warned him not to do it again and it served no purpose other than to harass. Tiptoethrutheminefield (talk) 21:49, 9 September 2016 (UTC)

I was never undergoing a sanction based on your talk page protocol, I wouldn't recommend saying false things about me, as you have already done in another user talk page who recommended you to create this ANI. It seems your only interest is opening old wounds, especially coming from someone like you notorious for hostile attitude and harassing other users. Alexis Ivanov (talk) 22:17, 9 September 2016 (UTC)

@Sphilbrick: I just realized by reversion of the talk page was improper, I was actually following the 3RR rule, I made sure I made only two reverts, and afterwards I backed off, I wasn't acquainted with any so called "talk page protocol" . I believe this user Tiptoe was disrespecting a long time contributor and I made sure he read the warning, I took it as a form of disrespect from him to remove the words of the contributor. Alexis Ivanov (talk) 22:20, 9 September 2016 (UTC)

If the only thing that was stopping you was your awareness of 3RR (which, btw, is not actually a fixed definition for edit warring) does this mean that (in the absence of advice given by your supposed mentor that this reverting was wrong) you would have continued with your reverting once the 3RR had lapsed. If so, I think you should be thanking me for initiating this ANI because it stopped you from digging yourself into a seriously deep hole. Tiptoethrutheminefield (talk) 22:40, 9 September 2016 (UTC)

Alexis Ivanov, I see from your talk page history that you have on a number of occasions blanked your talk page, deleting numerous posts and numerous warnings made by other editors. By your standards professed in the above, do you consider this to be "a form of disrespect" by you against those editors? Would you have considered it acceptable if an editor had come along and reverted your talk page blanketing? Tiptoethrutheminefield (talk) 23:01, 9 September 2016 (UTC)

Having now read your contributions here, I think it would be wise to complete the required notification, then urge that this request be closed. Read Wp:Boomerang if you need help understanding why. You also should apologize to Irondome, but coerced apologies aren't very useful, so I'll let you decide whether you understand why it is warranted. (I've already contributed to this thread, so don't think I should close it myself, but there nothing more to do at this time.)--S Philbrick(Talk) 15:39, 9 September 2016 (UTC)

8th Sept 19:15 I inform Irondome, mentor to Alexis Ivanov as a result of that editor's prior ANI case decision regarding talkpage abuse, that Alexis Ivanov has been restoring deleted content onto my talkpage. I ask him to advise Alexis Ivanov that this is an abuse of an editor's talk page. However, Irondome, at 20.33, does not give any warning to Alexis Ivanov - he dismisses the breach of guidelines as unimportant, and aggressively tells me "I would suggest you stick to the talkpage". In what way had I not "stuck to the talk page"? It was Alexis Ivanov who had not "stuck to the talk page", who had in fact not used any talk page, had arrived out of nowhere and started making harrassing and insulting posts such as [[70]]. Irondome's lack of advice to Alexis Ivanov, and his trivialization of the act, was surely partly responsible for Alexis Ivanov at 21:01 feeling able to repeat his earlier edit [[71]]. How long was I expected to put up with Alexis Ivanov's harrassment, let him (an editor who has been characterized in the past as an unrepentant bully) do it three times, let him do it five times, or let him do it ten times? And actually get threatened by Wp:Boomerang when I decide the harassment needs to stop at three posts? I initiated this ANI as the direct result of advice given to me by an administrator [72]. Tiptoethrutheminefield (talk) 22:22, 9 September 2016 (UTC)

Perhaps the admin who advised you to be here did not know that most of these problems were stemming from your own personal attack and this raises the possibility of a block for you considering your background. --Mhhossein ^talk 04:26, 10 September 2016 (UTC)

• Comment: I would take Wp:Boomerang seriously and listen to S Philbrick's and Irondome's suggestion of leaving here! Did you forget that you had already attacked me? Did I take you here while I knew you had been blocked multiple times for similar behavior? I did not do that for I knew we'd better put energy on editing the article. --Mhhossein ^talk 20:04, 9 September 2016 (UTC)

The discussion above is closed. Please do not modify it. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

User:Burningblue52

This newbie is having many problems and is not heeding suggestions or warnings. Seems the user knows all and is never wrong. Maybe someone can adopt them before they get themselves blocked. Mlpearc (open channel) 17:09, 10 September 2016 (UTC)

If they're willing to not be stubborn and learn, I'll do it. ^{(talk page stalker)} CrashUnderride 17:12, 10 September 2016 (UTC)

I have not caused any problems, nor have I added any false information. I have taken the issues to the talk pages of the band Bon Jovi, as well as to the respective talk pages of the albums. User:Mlpearc's reverts are purely opinion-based and unfounded. I have cited my edits and stated the facts given. The above user is using cyber-bully language, and hearsay. I am not a 'newbie' and have contributed to much of this website's grammar, and structure error corrections. This one edit does not found a "blocking" nor an "adoption". Bon Jovi's album Burning Bridges is a studio album. Burningblue52 (talk)

Some background at Black Sabbath, check the 'tribs here and the related discussion here. Mlpearc (open channel) 17:19, 10 September 2016 (UTC)

@Burningblue52: Please stop making comments on user pages, that's what talk pages are for. User:Mlpearc and User:Campingfreak3599. Thank you, Mlpearc Phone (open channel) 17:48, 10 September 2016 (UTC)

The editor's comment on your talk page,[73] @Mlpearc: says "Hateful words and bullying online (cyberbullying) is against the law, as is hearsay. Stop doing so on other users' talk pages immediately". Does anyone else see this as anything other than a legal threat? Doug Weller talk 18:16, 10 September 2016 (UTC)

User:Mlpearc, something went wrong with my ping. Doug Weller talk 18:18, 10 September 2016 (UTC)

@Doug Weller: I didn't read it before I removed it, It can be seen as a legal threat, yes. Mlpearc Phone (open channel) 18:36, 10 September 2016 (UTC)

While I concur with Mlpearc on the content dispute, and have previously advised Burningblue52 so; respectfully, Doug Weller, that particular comment on Mlpearc's Talk page is not even remotely close to a legal threat (as defined by WP:NLT). We need far stronger, and clearer, threats of specific legal action to block. - Ryk72 ^'c.s.n.s.' 00:28, 11 September 2016 (UTC)

@Ryk72: BurningBlue52 has already been blocked indefinitely for said "legal threat". Do you believe that action should be taken to remove the block? DarkKnight2149 00:37, 11 September 2016 (UTC)

Darkknight2149, While I think there are a number of concerns w.r.t the editor and WP:IDHT and understanding of P's & G's, and that some administrative action might be advised; an indefinite block on these grounds is not supportable. I would speak in support of an appeal of the block. NOTE: I am not supporting of the comment at all; it's rude and incivil; but it's not a legal threat. - Ryk72 ^'c.s.n.s.' 00:45, 11 September 2016 (UTC)

@Ryk72: I see. I went ahead and notified the admin that blocked BurningBlue52 of your concerns. Hopefully he will respond shortly. DarkKnight2149 01:58, 11 September 2016 (UTC)

User now seems to be abusing multiple accounts See diff editor and editors signature. Mlpearc Phone (open channel) 19:40, 10 September 2016 (UTC)

User:Mlpearc Phone That's a rename. I've blocked the editor and told them how to get unblocked. Doug Weller talk 19:42, 10 September 2016 (UTC)

Got it thanx. Mlpearc Phone (open channel) 19:44, 10 September 2016 (UTC)

Might I ask why BurningBlue52's userpage was moved by Céréales Killer? I can't find anywhere in BurningBlue52's edit history requesting such a move. DarkKnight2149 20:22, 10 September 2016 (UTC)

I have accepted his demand for global renaming:

De

Burningblue52

À

Lorem ipsum5656

Raison

I no longer wish to have the previous username

Statut

approuvé

Demandé

10 septembre 2016 à 20:34

Terminé

10 septembre 2016 à 20:55

Par

Céréales Killer

There was no mention of any block for this account, no reason to reject this demand. I am not a number (talk) 20:31, 10 September 2016 (UTC)

@Céréales Killer: Okay, thanks for the clarification. DarkKnight2149 20:43, 10 September 2016 (UTC)

Just got back online. Lorem ipsum5656 (talk · contribs) as they are now called hasn't yet appealed, although they normally edit during the time period between my block and now. @Ryk72:, are you asking me to unblock the editor now or just saying that you'd support an appeal from them? The thing about such indefinite blocks is that they are normally easy to have undone, all the editor needs to do is make it clear no legal action - or support of others taking such action, is intended or planned. As it stands I think the statement isn't just uncivil but is chilling. If I unblock without an appeal from the editor, it could be seen as suggesting such a statement is ok. I guess I could unblock saying that another editor felt it didn't reach the level of a legal threat but if similar statements are made the block will be reinstated. Comments? Doug Weller talk 08:42, 11 September 2016 (UTC)

@Doug Weller: Many thanks for the reply; appreciate it. Neither of us wish to be seen to condone either this particular statement, or the general behaviour surrounding it. (See this clarification, made for similar reasons). I do concur that the comment was chilling, but chilling of what the editor perceived as harassment/bullying. On the core question, I am explicitly not requesting that you unblock the editor now. In an ideal world, I would ask for the block log to be amended to reflect a different reason (civility, IDHT, or other), but understand that this is not possible. I would explicitly support an appeal (against a block made per WP:NLT, based on the block reason only), but, given the editor's rename, doubt that one will be made. I would, however, also support administrative action which obliged the user to seek a WP:MENTOR1 or to discuss reverted changes (1RR or similar). The editor has ~2800 mainspace edits, and an obvious commitment to the project, I'd like to think we could channel that into something productive. - Ryk72 ^'c.s.n.s.' 11:05, 11 September 2016 (UTC)

Hi User:Ryk72. Thanks. Why do you think that the user rename might mean there won't be an appeal? Your suggestions sound good but I don't think they can be implemented as all I or anyone else can do at the moment, given the block reason, is to either accept an appeal if appropriate or deny it. Now if I'd indefinitely blocked (or even given a long block) for the reasons you suggest, we could negotiate a binding agreement as a condition of unblocking such as you suggest. And I'm kicking myself for not having remembered that. I sometimes think that it would be a good thing if we did have such alternatives to blocking that didn't depend upon the existence of some sort of other sanctions. Simply putting an editor on 1RR for a prescribed period of time might be an excellent alternative to blocking, but we can't do that normally. Technically I could reblock with a different reason, but I'm not sure that would be the right thing to do. Doug Weller talk 12:34, 11 September 2016 (UTC)

@Doug Weller: I've sent some details offline; to be clear, I don't see the block as being the core reason. I was considering that 1RR or similar might be something that could emerge from an ANI discussion, rather than individual discretionary action; but giving admins alternatives to blocking is an interesting thought; provided the right check and balances are in play, of course. Concur that a reblock is probably not the right thing. - Ryk72 ^'c.s.n.s.' 05:35, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

Copyright issues with XPanettaa

XPanettaa (talk · contribs)

I originally saw this editor after they repeatedly used {{OTRS permission}} tags illegitimately. I asked them to stop adding those tags and they did. But it doesn't seem like the issues have stopped there. XPanettaa has repeatedly stated that images have had permission when they don't have it. They have repeatedly changed non-free tags to free tags illegitimately. Regardless of the number of times they have been told to stop. This person is blocked on Commons for repeated copyright violations and now it looks like they have taken that here. Either they need to be blocked here as well for the same issue or they need to be banned from the file namespace entirely. This has to stop. --Majora (talk) 19:52, 10 September 2016 (UTC)

@Majora: Look, I made a mistake. I'm sorry. I promise not to do this again, please. XPanettaa (talk) 19:55, 10 September 2016 (UTC)

It is quite clear that you don't plan on stopping. I wouldn't have brought this here if I thought you would. --Majora (talk) 19:57, 10 September 2016 (UTC)

@Majora: I am now editing articles rather than editing files. I promise to stop doing what you said. However, it seems that I made a big mistake. XPanettaa (talk) 19:59, 10 September 2016 (UTC)

• I don't know about this particular matter, but I've been running into this editor and, while I'm still staying on this side of AGF, I have my doubts about their competence, esp. in regard to what are reliable sources. Like in this edit--it only takes a quick look at http://2-dutch.nl/ and the rest of the sources to know that this subsequent edit was invalid. There's a bit more in the history of that article (like this edit summary), but I have hope that it won't end in disruption. They seem to be a fan of a particular genre of music, writing up every artist they run into. That's great, but given those edits and others I've seen them make (like comments at Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/TV Noise (2nd nomination)), they are just not well-schooled in policy and guidelines. I just hope that rather than protest they will take the opportunity to learn. Drmies (talk) 22:28, 10 September 2016 (UTC)
• The promise to stop editing files lasted about 12 hours. An edit to a fair use image on an article [74] increasing the size of it which shouldn't be done and a subsequent edit to that file's page [75] adding information that is not confirmed by anyone. As stated above, I have zero confidence that they will stop doing what they are doing without administrator intervention at this point. --Majora (talk) 17:46, 11 September 2016 (UTC)
  • Hmm. And this is not to be marked as a "minor" edit. XPanettaa? Drmies (talk) 15:45, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

I don't know it really is to be marked as a "minor" edit. XPanettaa (talk) 15:48, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

A minor edit is one which does not change the substance of a page. Adding/removing a tag from a page/media item is never a minor edit. See WP:MINOR Mike1901 (talk) 15:56, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

JamesJohnson2 v. Philip Cross

JamesJohnson2 (talk · contribs) Philip Cross (talk · contribs)

Originally posted by Philip Cross (talk · contribs)

This editor is intent on adding claims to the Trial of Slobodan Milošević page that Milošević has been 'exonerated' by the ICTY in The Hague. This is sustained breaking WP:PRIMARY, but the claim has been made recently by contributors to multiple non-RS sites like Global Research, the website of the pro-Putin Russian RT (TV network) and other sites which defend Milošević. It is also an issue on the main article about Slobodan Milošević, but this has not yet turned into an edit war. There are multiple articles on reputable sites which debunk these claims. This is probably not a complete list: "Milosevic’s Old Allies Celebrate His 'Innocence'", Balkans' Insight, August 16, 2016; William Marsden "Milosevic doesn't deserve exoneration for war crimes", Ottawa Citizen, September 7, 2016; Serge Brammertz "Slobodan Milosevic is no hero", Al-Jazeera, August 24, 2016; "Ex-Hague prosecutor upset over 'rehabilitation' of Milosevic", b92, August 17, 2016; Gordana Knezevic "Milosevic 'Exonerated'? War-Crime Deniers Feed Receptive Audience", RFE/RL, August 9, 2016. The account of JamesJohnson2 appears to be single-issue. Philip Cross (talk) 07:50, 11 September 2016 (UTC)

I should have mentioned that the ICTY has been quoted in the articles as rejecting the interpretation the other user insists on using. Philip Cross (talk) 08:25, 11 September 2016 (UTC)

Originally posted by JamesJohnson2 (talk · contribs)

User Philip Cross is making false claims about my modifications. At the same time he is making opinionated changes on Trial of Slobodan Milošević article based on opinionated and unreliable sources. None of the articles he presents have any evidence in them, but are in fact personal opinions, of journalists or of people they are interviewing. At the same time they are ignoring direct evidence provided in court transcripts from "International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia" including following reports: "Public Redacted Version of Judgement Issued on 24 March 2016 in Prosecutor vs. Radovan Karadžić, p. 1303", International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, 24 March 2006; Case No.IT-95-5/18-T

Other then opinionated articles he has listed above which present a point a view of individuals and nothing more he is yet to show any evidence why my conclusion is not correct. There are many WP:IRS articles which support my point of view and some that support his point of view, but the fact to the matter is that my point of view is also supported in WP:PRIMARY I have listed above. Bellow are some WP:IRS sources I have found that do support my point of view ignoring the fact that Philip Cross has already mentioned some above in abhorrent effort to discredit them: "Milosevic exonerated, as the NATO war machine moves on", RT, August 2, 2016; Neil Clark "ON TARGET: War crime blame game not so cut and dry", Herald Opinions, July 31, 2016; SCOTT TAYLOR "Milosevic exonerated—but who’d know it? The media keep mum.", The Greanville Post, August 31, 2016; JOHN PILGER "Slobodan Milosevic exonerated by the ICTY", caucus99percent, August 1, 2016; Alex Ocana "The Exoneration of Milosevic: the ICTY’s Surprise Ruling", CounterPunch, August 1, 2016; Andy Wilcoxson "Blair admitted it, Milosevic found not guilty, but Hillary remains unrepentant", globinfo freexchange, August 16, 2016; "Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevic Found Not Guilty of War Crimes", The Conservative Papers, August 6, 2016; alpineski "Hague Tribunal Exonerates Slobodan Milosevic for Bosnia War Crimes Ten Years Too Late", slobodan-milosevic.org, July 18, 2016; Andy Wilcoxson "Milosevic Exonerated by International Tribunal, Media Is Silent", telesur, August 8, 2016; "Former Serbian Leader Milosevic Exonerated from Genocide Claims", NTFU, July 24, 2016; Hmk Enoch

• 1. Why is this issue here? There is NO discussion on the talk page of the trial article at all. That's where you both need to head NOW.
• 2. Edit-warring on the article is not going to help anything. I have no idea why JamesJohnson2 (amongst others) was not blocked on the day he reverted the article around ten times.
• 3. If you're going to use a 2,615 page PDF as a "source", you'd better damn well say where in the document supports your claims. or your "sourcing" is worse than useless.
• Black Kite (talk) 15:33, 11 September 2016 (UTC)

I did not use the talk page, because few other users are likely to access it. It also seemed likely that a problem with the dubious sources which put forward an utterly false interpretation that have been debunked by numerous writers, on a contentious subject, was likely to persist. For such a significant issue a decade or more ago, it is astonishing that the article has fewer than 30 page watchers. As you point out Black Kite, User:JamesJohnson2 has been reverting for several weeks. He also removed the reliable sources I added to try and prevent such sites as slobodan-milosevic.org, a site for Milošević's apologists, being treated seriously in error. Milošević is one of the most contentious political leaders of recent decades whose supporters write articles for obscure websites which are hardly RS. Quite a few of these should have been blacklisted long ago. My intention was only to protect Wikipedia from such material as quickly as possible. Philip Cross (talk) 16:00, 11 September 2016 (UTC)

Edit by JamesJohnson2

• 3. The reference is on page 1303. in finding 3460. The page reference is included in original wiki article I forgot to add it above. The reference has been updated.

Not sure what reason Philip Cross had to hide the discussion on this page, rather then to start it in appropriate place. Also it is highly hypocritical of him to accuse me of removing "reliable" sources like B92 and other pro NATO proxy news agencies, in which word of Milosevic's prosecutor is taken like a gospel, with no other proof necessary, not only that but he has at the same time been removing the reference to "International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia" finding which is only real reliable source in regard to this issue.

Addition by Philip Cross

A new editor, User:Danielstn, in reverting JamesJohnson, has made this entirely reasonable comment in his edit summary: "Removed irrelevant Karadzic trial references. Even if this wiki page were titled "Accusations of genocide against Slobodan Milosevic", the Karadzic trial cannot be cited as an exoneration, as the prosecution weren't even trying to prosecute Milosevic." Philip Cross (talk) 15:05, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

Edit by JamesJohnson2 16:55 14 September 2016 (UTC)

In reference to User:Danielstn comment, his statement makes absolutely no sense for following reasons:

• Accusations brought against Slobodan Milosevic's and his alleged crimes are present in the article as they should be, as they are part of information related to him. Therefore it follows that any court findings about this alleged crimes, should also be present on the page. If we were to follow his logic we should also remove allegations against him as well which is ridiculous.
• While the trial was not about him, the court has investigated his involvement in Bosnian crimes and has found that there is no evidence which supports the claim that he has participated in the alleged crimes. Therefore this relates to the allegations against his person and should be present on the page.
• We are here to present the facts not to hide them, and it is a fact that "International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia" has investigated Slobodan Milosevic crimes during Bosnian war and has found that there is not enough evidence to support this accusations. As a Wikipedia editor you should present the facts not hide them, regardless of whether you like them or not. After all we are not here to say one side of the story.
• If you want to challenge the courts findings go to court do not pretend that they do not exist.

User:Lysimachi WP:OWN and WP:CIR issues

Lysimachi (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)

User:Lysimachi seems to have competence issues: constantly engaging in disruptive editing, a failure to discuss edits, edit warring to keep their own version of the article and total lack of response on their talk page. Here are some of the edits.

1. A total lack of knowledge about their talk page. I doubt they even know it exists.
2. Weird understanding of "redundancy". See diffs [76], [77]. I tried to discuss this here as well.
3. Repeatedly adding a bunch of citation needed tags [78], [79], [80], [81], [82], [83], despite being reverted multiple times by multiple editors [84], [85], [86],[87]. Even though a compromise edit was carried out [88], per another talk page discussion it was still reverted and the citation needed tags were added again.
4. The editor had engaged in similar behaviour about the language section for which I launched an RFC. However, this is extremely tedious. If for every small change we have to launch an RFC or a talk page discussion, it is seriously disruptive.
5. The editor never makes any attempt to initiate a discussion even though many of their edits are bold edits. On being reverted, the simply do the same edit again.
6. Failure to understand how references work. I removed this reference as it was essentially a youtube video - a recording of a concert. Nothing in it mentioned that the music was related to "Han Taiwanese" and the source is also not reliable. Yet it was added back again without an explanation [89].
7. The user also seems to have a "weird" understanding of NPOV. Apparently using the word "Chinese" in the article Han Taiwanese is not acceptable. The user has constantly changed Han Chinese to Han people even though one redirects to the other and our article is at Han Chinese. Diffs [90], [91], [92]. The user keeps saying that any mention of "Chinese" is a violation of NPOV. The user also keeps removing stuff to this effect - see [93], [94], [95]. To be honest, I am sick and tired of dealing with this. I had tried a dispute resolution on this (mediated by UY Scuti) but it failed as the user did not respond later. Wikipedia:Dispute_resolution_noticeboard/Archive_141#Talk:Han_Taiwanese.23Lead_sentence_WikiLink.

I'm not sure what steps to take. I cannot keep calling an RFC for every small edit, so I am asking the community to have a look and decide what to do. The bigger problem which I feel here is the lack of response on part of the editor and an inability to understand that collaboration and discussions are important. --Lemongirl942 (talk) 15:46, 11 September 2016 (UTC)

See a previous complaint at WP:Administrators' noticeboard/3RRArchive324#User:Lysimachi reported by User:Lemongirl942 (Result: Blocked). On August 19th Lysimachi was blocked 24 hours for edit warring at Han Chinese. He seems to have strong opinions on how certain ethnic groups ought to be defined and will revert to enforce his ideas. For example, Lysimachi insists that 'Han Chinese' are not the same thing as 'Han people'. This appears contrary to normal Wikipedia practice, since we have a redirect called Han people which redirects to Han Chinese. The issue was discussed in the DRN mentioned above by Lemongirl942. The DRN had to be closed because Lysimachi stopped participating. In my opinion, an admin such as myself would be justified in warning Lysimachi that he may be blocked for disruption if he makes further reverts about the definition of Han-related groups without first getting consensus on the talk page. EdJohnston (talk) 16:00, 11 September 2016 (UTC)

2. The "compromise" edit adds a footnote saying "Some sources refer to Han Chinese as "Chinese" or group them with other Chinese peoples". That footnote does not cite any reference at all, a clear violation of WP:V. In addition, how can those sources, if any, be applied to infer the numbers of Han people in each country without WP:OR? The current version of the article Han Chinese says there are "655,377" Han Chinese in Japan according to the reference 国籍（出身地）別在留資格（在留目的）別外国人登録者(Number of foreign residents by country in 2008). The citation itself even points out that the number is "by country"/"国籍（出身地）". Is Lemongirl942 saying that all Chinese are Han Chinese and all Han people are Chinese?

7. The article has always mentioned "Chinese" even before Lemongirl942's edits. The "(also referred to as Taiwan Han Chinese)" part that was added to the first sentence of the lead was removed due to, as mentioned in edit summaries at least three times, WP:UNDUE, WP:NPOV, WP:LEAD, WP:REDUNDANCY, and, I would add here, WP:OR and WP:V.

EdJohnston: Could you name a Wikipedia policy saying that a redirect on Wikipedia can be cited as a reliable source for two terms being synonyms? (Han culture is also redirected to Han Chinese, so according to the "normal Wikipedia practice", anyone can replace the former in any context with the latter?) Is there any evidence that "Han" and "Han Chinese" (or "people" and "Chinese") are used in all contexts by all authors as synonyms?

Regarding the the DRN mentioned above, I have said what I think in my last statement.

Additional question1: If both Lemongirl942 and EdJohnston think "Han" and "Han Chinese" are synonyms, why are they so keen in changing the former to the latter?

Additional question2: "warning Lysimachi that he may be blocked for disruption if he makes further reverts about the definition of Han-related groups without first getting consensus on the talk page", is EdJohnston implying that Lemongirl942 got consensus on the talk page before Lemongirl942 made changes about the definition of Han-related groups? Lysimachi (talk) 00:25, 12 September 2016 (UTC)

And you reverted again? You edit summary doesn't make any sense and your interpretations of guidelines are not shared by others. Please stop your disruptive editing. --Lemongirl942 (talk) 12:01, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

Please stop your disruptive editing and stop pushing your POV. You have shown no evidence that "Han" and "Han Chinese" (or "people" and "Chinese") are used in all contexts by all authors as synonyms. Lysimachi (talk) 20:41, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

@Lysimachi: Do you think nobody has shown evidence backing up the statement that "'Han' and 'Han Chinese' (or 'people' and 'Chinese') are used in all contexts by all authors as synonyms" because nobody has said anything like that? RunnyAmiga ※ talk 20:57, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

Lysimachi Could you please explain this edit? Your edit summary makes absolutely no sense. Could you justify and explain how the edit violates each and every policy you have cited. It is very clear that you have no understand of policies and it is competence issue. --Lemongirl942 (talk) 07:51, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

You tried to say Han Taiwanese are "also referred to as Taiwan Han Chinese" and cited five references [16][17][18][19][20]. WP:V: "anyone using the encyclopedia can check that the information comes from a reliable source." None of sources you cited seem to say so. In fact, [20] does not seem to mention "Taiwan Han Chinese" at all, while [16], [18] and [19] don't seem to mention "Han Taiwanese". Your claim is not verifiable. WP:OR: The claim seems to be your original research, for which no reliable, published sources exist. WP:REDUNDANCY: You made the first sentence unnecessarily redundant. WP:LEAD: "the emphasis given to material in the lead should roughly reflect its importance to the topic, according to reliable, published sources." How important is "Taiwan Han Chinese" to be mentioned in the first sentence of the lead? WP:UNDUE: "Taiwan Han Chinese" is given undue weight. In fact, the only source ([17]) which mentions (but not equates) both Han Taiwanese and "Taiwan Han Chinese" also mentions "Taiwan-Han Chinese", "Taiwan Han-Chinese", and "Taiwanese Han Chinese". Why is "Taiwan Han Chinese" given special weight here? WP:NPOV: You are trying to push your view that Han Taiwanese are Chinese. Sure there are sources saying that, but this is clearly disputed. Even if there are sources saying Taiwanese people are Chinese or Taiwan is a part of China, you won't find it in the first sentence of the lead in Taiwanese people and Taiwan. Lysimachi (talk) 22:31, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

I'm glad you like high standards. Many of your own references do not mention anything about "Han Taiwanese" at all. In fact the population source says that 98% of Taiwan is "Han Chinese" and yet you wrote 98% of Taiwan is "Han Taiwanese". More important you have a total refusal to discuss anything. Do you know WP:BRD. If anyone reverts a bold edit of yours, you are not supposed to revert again. You fail to understand and neither do you even talk part in any discussions. This is nothing but status-quo-stonewalling. --Lemongirl942 (talk) 02:38, 15 September 2016 (UTC)

Wow

Quote 1: WP:UNDUE: "Taiwan Han Chinese" is given undue weight. In fact, the only source ([17]) which mentions (but not equates) both Han Taiwanese and "Taiwan Han Chinese" also mentions "Taiwan-Han Chinese", "Taiwan Han-Chinese", and "Taiwanese Han Chinese". Why is "Taiwan Han Chinese" given special weight here?

What's with the hyphenation? That makes no difference and no sense at all. I'm not sure if you actually understand English.

Quote 2: WP:NPOV: You are trying to push your view that Han Taiwanese are Chinese. Sure there are sources saying that, but this is clearly disputed. Even if there are sources saying Taiwanese people are Chinese or Taiwan is a part of China, you won't find it in the first sentence of the lead in Taiwanese people and Taiwan.

Huh? This article is about an ethnic group. That fact that Han Taiwanese are "ethnic Han Chinese" is said by many sources (or you need to show a source whhich explicitly says that Han Taiwanese are not of ethnic Han Chinese descent. "Han Chinese" is an ethnic term NOT a nationalistic term. You clearly fail to realise the difference. Also NPOV is supposed to mention both viewpoints if there are both. Mentioning only 1 veiwpoint is clearly against NPOV. --Lemongirl942 (talk) 03:13, 15 September 2016 (UTC)

The problem of here is that you are refusing to WP:DROPTHESTICK and persisting despite having a very weird understanding of the policies. This is extremely disruptive and it is not helping. I suggest you stop editing on that article unless you attempt to discuss. I have half a mind to push and indefinite block for you. --Lemongirl942 (talk) 03:13, 15 September 2016 (UTC)

Zppix's competence issues

Zppix clearly does not have the competence to do many things on Wikipedia. For example, look at his RfA. Also see his mentorship, which worked out disastrously, this link, which shows that he completely ignores copyvios at AfC [96] his inability to copyedit, and, most recently, the two most bizarre opposes that I have seen on ANI, here, where he claims that an editor of 6 years is a newbie and has gone through all of his over 100,000 edits and here, which doesn't make sense at all. I am requesting a topic ban from AfC, deletion discussions, copyediting, and ANI. New (mentoring) proposal belowThePlatypusofDoom (talk) 16:37, 11 September 2016 (UTC)

• Wednesday Thursday Friday- is he doing accepting AfC noms?!?!? _Muffled ^Pocketed 16:48, 11 September 2016 (UTC)

• I'm a bit worried about AFC. Carolyn Frohmader seems to have been most likely a COPYVIO with the previous revision deleted and a warning left on the original article creator's page. Yet, the article was accepted and moved into mainspace prior to that. --Lemongirl942 (talk) 16:59, 11 September 2016 (UTC)

(Just came across this and saw the examples given.) I honestly don't know what to make of Zppix. I don't know if they understand quiet how Wikipedia works. Someone needs to explain it to them from start to finish. At least give them a final warning and if they do something out of line again, block. ^{(talk page stalker)} CrashUnderride 17:03, 11 September 2016 (UTC)

H'mmm- I also note that they have >6K edits, and reviewer / rollbacker privileges- so they must have some commitment to the project, and at least one admin thought they earned extra rights. _Muffled ^Pocketed 17:11, 11 September 2016 (UTC)

I don't have a problem with Zppix doing anti-vandalism work, he seems competent at that, so I'm fine with him having rollback. ThePlatypusofDoom (talk) 17:20, 11 September 2016 (UTC)

• Comment Okay, first off. The fact you are claiming i'm compent for anti-vandal work confirms I pass WP:CIR. I also have a reason to believe I'm being targeted by ThePlatypusofDoom. I've done more then just anti-vandal and i've done plenty of AFC work. Regardless I don't need to volunteer and/or do multiple tasks on wikipedia to be considered wp:CIR. My edits are also in line with WP:NOTNOTHERE. Remember to always WP:AGF Ⓩⓟⓟⓘⓧ (talk) 20:51, 11 September 2016 (UTC)

@Zppix: May I ask why you think PlatypusOfDoom is "targeting" you? You just asked him to always AGF and then you just accused him of targeting you without assuming good faith. ??? CatcherStorm ^talk 21:28, 11 September 2016 (UTC)

(edit conflict) @CatcherStorm:,I'll try to give you the short version... I'm thinking about starting an ANI myself. Anyway, Platypusofdoom has been name-calling and yelling at users, i've noticed alot on ENWIKI's IRC... @SwisterTwister: (for witness proof) and has been uncivil and when i confront him he always argues and leaves and comes back a short while later... He's long term abusing users and just plain WP:UNCIVIL. I'm aware he has Aspergers but he himself is barely WP:COMPETENT Ⓩⓟⓟⓘⓧ (talk) 21:44, 11 September 2016 (UTC)

@Zppix: I'm going to advise you that a "tit for tat" report on AN/I is almost certain to boomerang back upon you. To put it more simply, it's only going make it worse for you.

I also want to add that a comment that you're competent for anti-vandalism means you're competent for anti-vandalism. It doesn't mean you're competent, or not competent, for anything else. To quote the essay that you linked to, two forms of incompetence are:

Editing beyond your means

"Some people aren't able to grasp the subtleties of how Wikipedia works. They may still be able to do some easy jobs, but they'll probably run into trouble if they try biting off too much. Encourage them to keep to the simple things, or suggest a break if they're getting frustrated about their edits getting reverted." and

Lack of technical expertise

"Insufficient technical knowledge is not usually a problem, unless when adding, deleting, or changing technical content. Not everyone needs the same skill set—and as long as people operate only where they're capable, differences in skill sets are not a problem."

I think the issue you are having is that you are lack insight into, and so are overestimating the competency and skill sets that you have. If you were, in theory, to mature, you could be a more productive editor.  I dream of horses (My talk page) (My edits) @ 23:11, 11 September 2016 (UTC)

• Comment. Zppix, you're good at anti-vandalism work and you've done lots of good there, but admins have to do other things. They're expected to be able to create content, lots of it if needed, and it has to be neutral and reliably sourced. They also should be able to !vote on AfDs in a way that demonstrates they understand the criteria for inclusion. I don't think you're ready to be an admin now, but I'm not saying you won't be ready someday. White Arabian Filly ^Neigh 21:41, 11 September 2016 (UTC)

@Zppix: Show me evidence of competence, and I will happily close this ANI. See WP:Don't link to WP:AGF. Also, the ad hominem attacks aren't helping your case here. ThePlatypusofDoom (talk) 22:45, 11 September 2016 (UTC)

@ThePlatypusofDoom: How about all my anti-vandal edits, my help getting an article out (see my user page), i've created an template... Platy I'm not the bad guy, I don't know why this ANI exists, I'm obviously compentent enough to have reviewer, rollbacker, and AWB rights. Ⓩⓟⓟⓘⓧ (talk) 22:50, 11 September 2016 (UTC)

Your anti-vandalism work is fine, and I have no problem with it. Creating a template means nothing to competence in topics that I have remarked that you do not have competence in. Pinging the 2 editors that I discussed this with previously (I was asking if filing this ANI was a good idea). @I dream of horses: @Primefac: ThePlatypusofDoom (talk) 22:58, 11 September 2016 (UTC)

Comment The comment was redacted. Ⓩⓟⓟⓘⓧ (talk) 23:22, 11 September 2016 (UTC)

I was pinged to this discussion, presumably due to my involvement both in the attempt at mentoring and at User_talk:Zppix/2016/August#WP:GOCE.2FREQ_copyedits. I don't have too much to add other than what's at both of those links. I'm conflicted, because while Zppix is undoubtedly a good-faith editor, we have to consider the net effect on the encyclopedia and cumulative editor time. Good-faith is not all that's required to edit Wikipedia. I'm a strong believer that any editor willing to accept constructive feedback is able to be a net positive, but I don't know that that's the case here. I briefly spoke with Zppix on IRC during the mentoring trying to figure out where we were "missing" each other on the SNOW thing, and I made no headway. I also asked multiple times for him to thoroughly read what I wrote, consider it, and write detailed answers, as none of my questions had simple answers and were more meant to be a jumping-off point for discussion. Instead, I got one-sentence answers within seconds of each other without much in the way of explanation. I see similar issues with the copyediting fiasco, where Zppix was spending less than two minutes on a copyedit of a relatively lengthy article and responding aggressively to criticism. I have three thoughts here:

1. @ThePlatypusofDoom: Did something specific prompt this filing since the copyediting incident? Unless there was another issue, I don't think any action is currently appropriate.
2. @Zppix: You need to slow down, both in terms of the activities you're currently doing and the speed with which you rush in to new activities. Wikipedia is benefited more by two high-quality edits than 1,000 rushed edits that need to be fixed by other editors. When entering new areas, solicit advice from active participants in that area before entering it and actively seek and value constructive feedback throughout your involvement. That feedback may sometimes be that you aren't yet ready to contribute in that area. If so, take that for what it is; a sincere opinion that you're a good-faith editor who could better contribute elsewhere on the project. Please, accept this advice. I don't have it out for you. I genuinely want you to succeed as an editor, and I think you can if you follow that road map.
3. On the flip side, it's absurd to propose topic bans from as many areas as have been proposed here. If an editor so thoroughly drains the community's time that they must be topic banned from essentially all Wikipedia-space discussions, content creation processes, and copyediting, it's time to just block them. I do not think we're there yet, but if we're going to eventually take action to prevent the community from wasting its time, that action should actually solve the problem. ~ Rob₁₃^Talk 01:27, 12 September 2016 (UTC)

@BU Rob13: Yes, Zppix made a couple comments on ANI that made absolutely no sense whatsoever, which pretty clearly show that he doesn't understand how to comment at ANI (One had no relevance to the topic whatsoever, and cited policies that weren't even somewhat relevant[97], and one seemed like he hadn't actually read the ANI before commenting [98]). ThePlatypusofDoom (talk) 11:34, 12 September 2016 (UTC)

If a couple of sub-par comments at ANI were sufficient to warrant a topic ban, I doubt there would be many of us left. I am sure that closing admins are capable of ignoring any nonsense. Concur with the numbered points made by BU Rob13 - Ryk72 ^'c.s.n.s.' 11:49, 12 September 2016 (UTC)

What about a mentor for Zppix? If he is willing to get a mentor, I will withdraw my proposals for all topic bans except fordeletion discussions reviewing AfC. @Zppix: What do you think? ThePlatypusofDoom (talk) 11:46, 12 September 2016 (UTC)

@BU Rob13: I wasn't asking to topic ban Zppix from creating drafts at AfC, just reviewing them. ThePlatypusofDoom (talk) 12:10, 12 September 2016 (UTC)

@ThePlatypusofDoom:  Reviewing request. Ⓩⓟⓟⓘⓧ (talk) 14:28, 12 September 2016 (UTC)

Template:Editor note Since both of you are common helpers at IRC, I request that both of you do not interact on IRC, in any way. Whether it is in private messages, -helpers, or -help. Helpees could be receiving conflicting advice, and that would just confuse them. Dat Guy^Talk_Contribs 15:48, 12 September 2016 (UTC)

@DatGuy: After the mentorship proposal either works or fails, I'll make a proposal for a 2 way IBAN for 3 months between me and Zppix. ThePlatypusofDoom (talk) 16:13, 12 September 2016 (UTC)

That would be fine, but for now simply do not interact on IRC. Cheers, Dat Guy^Talk_Contribs 16:26, 12 September 2016 (UTC)

Comment I have zero time for a mentor as I have a life outside of Wikipedia... however I'm willing to take one as needed, I'll cordinate with someone. Also I suggest ibanning me and platy for around 4 months to calm things down. 3 months is way too short. I also suggest getting PlatypusofDoom a civility mentor or atleast someone who can help him work on WP:CIVIL just in general (Yes i am assuming good faith i'm just trying to make it fair for both of us). Pinging @SwisterTwister: because he should become involved per situation. Also I don't want to stop working at AfC, that's all i really do that and anti-vandalism. Why attempt to drive away people whom are trying to volunteer at a wikiproject which has the biggest backlog. I hope this proposal suits everyone's needs. Ⓩⓟⓟⓘⓧ (talk) 19:31, 12 September 2016 (UTC)

Zppix The problem is that in trying to reduce the AfC backlog, you (and SwisterTwister) are creating errors which require the attention of other editors to resolve. This thread is a timesink and the poor quality reviews you and SwisterTwister are undertaking are timesinks as articles queue up to be deleted or moved back into the Draft namespace. I would much rather see a backlog remain consistent as new Draft articles are correctly reviewed and approved or declined as appropriate, rather than the backlog be shrunk as a result of poor quality reviews being rushed by inexperienced editors, then the time of other editors be taken up trying to resolve the mess created (possibly leading, in turn, to increasing AfC backlogs once more).

I'm also becoming increasingly tired by what appears to be the incessant infighting displayed by Zppix and ThePlatypusofDoom, together with the tag-teaming efforts involving Zppix and SwisterTwister. This needs to cease, this is a volunteer project with worthy aims, not some role playing game where you conspire to get people blocked or sanctioned. The behaviour is bordering on being disruptive, consequently you're all shuffling towards more severe sanctions. I'm sure you would all rather avoid any serious escalation of this game of brinkmanship in which you're engaged currently, so I would strongly suggest is stops now.

Finally, the channel operators on IRC are well aware of the three primary antagonists and will continue to closely monitor the situation, ensuring behaviour is appropriate for an environment where users are being assisted online. Nick (talk) 23:12, 12 September 2016 (UTC)

@Nick: First, I am well aware that this is not a role playing game. Secondly, I've never even seen you on IRC, why do you think I am trying to indef Zppix? (Note that I haven't requested a block, just a topic ban and a mentorship). ThePlatypusofDoom (talk) 00:22, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

@ThePlatypusofDoom: Nick is NotASpy on IRC.

I'd take this statement seriously if I were you:

Finally, the channel operators on IRC are well aware of the three primary antagonists and will continue to closely monitor the situation, ensuring behaviour is appropriate for an environment where users are being assisted online.

It's safe to assume, from that statement, that you, along with ST and Zppix, are probably talked about among channel operators. However, I have the context of your PMs' on IRC to realize that you don't want Zppix blocked; however, you seem to have a "plan" where "If Zppix does A, B, or C, he gets blocked.", and wanting other people to request additional topic bans. I can see how other people would think you want Zppix blocked from Wikipedia.  I dream of horses (My talk page) (My edits) @ 03:03, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

I said that if you wanted, you could request another topic ban, and I wouldn't oppose. I didn't say that I would support. And yes, I would be willing to take Zppix to ANI twice (pretty much all the "plan" was is a potential ANI report if I still have concerns, as a last resort,), but that's only if this doesn't work, and he doesn't improve, which I think is highly unlikely to happen. ThePlatypusofDoom (talk) 10:41, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

This idea of planning future ANI reports in advance is sailing terribly close to hounding and stalking behaviour, for which a user can be sanctioned. I would strongly suggest such plans are forgotten as a matter of some urgency. Nick (talk) 11:45, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

@ThePlatypusofDoom: ^{Nick might be interested in this, too.} If I recall correctly, you were the one to bring up "additional topic bans". -- I dream of horses (My talk page) (My edits) @ 22:45, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

@I dream of horses: I said that additional topic bans could happen (potentially), but I thought it was a bad idea, as I think that a mentorship could solve it and there's no need to propose more stuff. You were the one that thought mentorship wasn't harsh enough, and wanted a second topic ban Also, you were the one who said "You should take Zppix to arbcom if this continues and the mentorship won't work". ThePlatypusofDoom (talk) 23:09, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

@Nick: Okay. Would you be willing to mentor Zppix? ThePlatypusofDoom (talk) 14:33, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

No, I don't mentor users. I am happy to answer questions and provide advice when asked, however. Nick (talk) 15:18, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

A Proposal

I propose that Zppix is topic banned from reviewing at AfC for 3 months or until judged competent by the mentor, ThePlatypusofDoom (talk) 20:20, 12 September 2016 (UTC)

• Partial support I don't think Zppix will benefit from mentorship. Mentors are, after all, an authority figure, and Zppix has issues with authority. So I'd support being topic banned from AfC for three months. -- I dream of horses (My talk page) (My edits) @ 21:19, 12 September 2016 (UTC)
• Comment If you have read the ANI, I said I'll take an mentor, but I cannot do mentorship full time as I do not have time as my life isnt wikipedia only. Also I also willingly offered to back away and reduce my activity on AfC. --Ⓩⓟⓟⓘⓧ (talk) 18:46, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

Second proposal

ThePlatypusofDoom and Zppix are banned from interacting, with the usual exceptions, for 3 2 4 monthsThePlatypusofDoom (talk) 20:20, 12 September 2016 (UTC

Strong oppose, unless it's a one-way interaction ban on Zppix. -- I dream of horses (My talk page) (My edits) @ 21:20, 12 September 2016 (UTC)

Seriously... One way? I suggest a two-way I'll be glad to not interact with platypusofdoom... --Ⓩⓟⓟⓘⓧ (talk) 18:44, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

Support as a two way ban for 4 months as these editors seem to have difficulty interacting with each other and it is therefore reasonable to restrict interaction both ways. -- Dane2007 ^talk 19:44, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

Discussion

If I may, let me make an observation. ThePlatypusofDoom, your threshold seems a bit low here. Maybe some of that was earned, but it is still lower than usual. I won't labor the point, your a grown platypus, you can fill in the blanks yourself. User:Zppix, you seem to have a history of biting off more than you can chew. This includes getting into areas beyond your skill level and your failed RFA. Enthusiasm is a good, but undisciplined enthusiasm is just annoying as hell to everyone around you. Forget about adminship for a long time. If that is an eventual goal, your lust for it will undermine your ability to get it, as you will make errors and those error will haunt you when you do go to RFA. I've never seen anyone that looked hungry for admin pass, so curb your appetite and try taking smaller bites. Otherwise, you look like a fool. I would avoid admin boards, AFC and the like, and help with vandalism and content, and maybe some simple AFD work, and just learn slowly, like the rest of us do. And you need to mature. So I'm advising you pull back a bit, stay away from admin like areas for a while, so you will stay out of trouble. The question is: are you mature and competent enough to do this? Dennis Brown - 2¢ 23:49, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

@Zppix: If you agree to do this, I'll withdraw the AfC ban and/or Mentorship proposal. Now that I think about it, an AfC topic ban is probably a good thing. ThePlatypusofDoom (talk) 23:52, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

I seem to have to repeat myself... for the love of Jimbo, please read what I've BEEN saying I'm WILLING to do before proposing... I've agreeded with the first proposal twice now... --Ⓩⓟⓟⓘⓧ (talk) 19:40, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

I'm tired of ANI, so I'm just going to take a break from this for a couple days. ThePlatypusofDoom (talk) 22:03, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

Gravuritas not behaving well

Note: This ANI complaint and Wikipedia:Administrators' noticeboard/Incidents#Persistent and unfounded allegation of Sock puppetry above have become linked because they both now address persistent unfounded allegations of sock puppetry (though this one addresses other unfounded allegations as well).

Note: I am not the author of the preceding (unsigned) note. --Mathmensch (talk) 15:33, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

The user

Gravuritas (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)

is being impolite, as is indicated by the following of his edits:

[99], [100], [101], [102], [103]

I think that these might constitute breaches of WP:CIVIL or perhaps even WP:NPA. --Mathmensch (talk) 14:15, 12 September 2016 (UTC)

The latter ones in particular. I've asked him politely to stop being unpleasant to his fellow editors. fish&karate 14:18, 12 September 2016 (UTC)

@Fish and karate:.....and I've asked you not to rush to judgement. I would like to respond, but it might take a little time.

Gravuritas (talk) 16:05, 12 September 2016 (UTC)

I added a further impolite comment. --Mathmensch (talk) 14:57, 12 September 2016 (UTC)

I would like to respond, but given that this has been brewing across a large number of actions by both MM and me, and I would like to present a clear picture, this may take a number of days. However, firstly, regarding the second of MM's list [104]. This was intended in a jokey fashion following a premature edit by MM, and when I saw that MM had mentioned it ruefully elsewhere, I realised that he had been offended by it. I posted a note of explanation on MM's user talk, which he presumably deleted, and if it didn't go the whole way to an apology for that specific post, then I do so now. I have to say that it is not playing the game fairly, MM, in excluding that note from this complaint. I don't know how to retrieve it: maybe you can? I added this [105] as an aide-memoire.

Regarding the fifth of his complaints, my allegation of stalking [106], then please look at [107]. MM had shown no interest in that subject before, and just made an entry just encouraging another editor with whom I was having a difference of opinion to oppose me. That's as clear a case of stalking as you can get in one post, and I assume that MM has only been stopped from a repetition by my clearly calling his action what it was. In the same post he implies that I deliberately distort the facts. That's all I have time for now, but I hope I will be allowed time to respond to the rest in a couple of days.

Gravuritas (talk) 16:05, 12 September 2016 (UTC)

Noting an observation you've made of another editor and stalking are completely separate things. For example, I'm noting that your presupposition that MM commented to another editor about perceived behaviours equates to stalking is false. Now, by your apparent (apparent because that's what it looks like to me right now) definition, I am stalking you. Whereas in reality, all I did was make a note of your poor application of stalking. That's as clear a case of stalking as you can get; I'll give you a better one, an editor watches your every edit follows you to every page you touch and makes changes to your work. That's stalking. ElektrikFanne pointed something out to you btw, since you apparently haven't seen it I'll relay it again; Making allegations of that sort without evidence is a sure fire short cut to an editing block. Try not making tendentious claims with no evidence, one diff is almost never going to cut it. I've made a point of doing a quick interaction analyzer on you two, the results are here. Doesn't look like stalking to me. That doesn't discredit the possibility of stalking (you can stalk someone without actually interacting with them), but, given your single diff and limited overlap I'm not inclined to believe a claim of stalking without better proof. You've taken your little tantrum to various WP fora and got ignored; what tantrum? and where? in diffs please. That would go far further to credit or discredit the claim of stalking than their comment to Elektrik Fanne Does. Feel free to take the necessary time to address all of the above, you mention it'll take a couple days. Mr rnddude (talk) 16:30, 12 September 2016 (UTC)

Let me clarify: my calling MM a stalker was based on the single post that I referenced. He has made no other moves that could be termed stalking. Your discourse above is somewhat devalued by your misleading quote, and your check, if you read my post, was completely unnecessary. You quote me as saying That's as clear a case of stalking as you can get but what I said was That's as clear a case of stalking as you can get in one post. I understand that people have shown much worse, much more extended, stalking behaviour: I choose to believe that MM was setting off on some behaviour and was only prevented from continuing by me labelling him with it quickly. If the verdict of the relevant admins is that I get blocked for screaming too early, so be it. But let me emphasise in fairness to MM, I am not aware of any other action of his which could be called stalking.

The tantrums and other less-than salutary terms refer to a series of actions by MM relating to UK railway privatisation, and I would ask you to suspend judgement on that aspect until my response to those is made.

Gravuritas (talk) 17:55, 12 September 2016 (UTC)

I am indeed waiting for your full response before I make any judgement on the merits of the original post. Regarding misleading quote, ok I can see the difference but I will comment that I choose to believe ... labelling him with it quickly is a presumption of bad faith. I have a feeling though that both parties share some responsibility for this. Mr rnddude (talk) 03:58, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

• I think Mathmensch's edits are worth considering too: this edit, for instance...? Deliberately provocative? WP:GRAVEDANCING? Both? _Muffled ^Pocketed 18:48, 12 September 2016 (UTC)

Right here is my response to the remainder of MM's complaint, As mentioned above, I would like my stalker comment dealt with separately as responded to above, and the 'premature ejaculation' was a poor option by me, for which I have apologized. I'll take whatever is coming for those two offences on the chin.

As far as the rest goes, here is a partial timeline for MM's WP interventions. I doubt it is complete, but I don't have any more spare time, and am not familiar enough with the tools on WP to trace any other things he has done in this respect. The background is that MM has decided that he, and he alone, knows the way to statistical purity as far as the metrics used for seeing what has happened to the railway system since privatization and various other milestones in the UK rail system. There is also a huge amount on the relevant talk pages.

• 3rd Sep 12:21 added POV warning to page Impact of BR privatisation page

[108]

• 4th Sep 16:47 proposal for deletion

[109]

• 4th Sep ANI first entry in new section allegation of edit warring

[110]

• 4th Sep AFD lost 9-0 with some seriously dismissive comments of his proposal by other editors

[111]

• 4th Sep he’s withdrawn the complaint of edit warring, but still complaining about me

[112]

• 6th Sep Privatisation of British Rail

[113]

• 8th Sep 18:51 ANI Off-topic complaint of impoliteness etc in sock puppet thread

[114]

• 9th Sep 20:08 another off-topic moan in sock puppetry

[115]

• 11th Sep RFC / maths science & technology, can’t find a way of showing the diff.

Let's be clear, any one or two or three of the above are perfectly legitimate. Put together with all the stuff on Talk pages, where he has been very dismissive of any attempt to ask him to justify his edits, this can only be described as a tantrum. If he doesn't succeed in changing the article to solely reflect his POV, then he wants it deleted. I think 'throwing your toys out of the pram' is accurate. When prevented from inflicting his lonely view on a WP article, he casts aspersions on my honesty, alleges POV-pushing, or tries to find an appeal route. Self-criticism is not possible. He also thinks that we poor uninitiated are not aware of basic stuff like correlation does not imply causation. Some of his thrashing around WP has been directed at me, but I don't think this is particularly personal and I don't wish to include it in the discussion on stalking: I think that, like a toddler having a tantrum, he is just thrashing out in all directions and I happen to be the nearest thing. (By the way, can I nominate Absolutelypuremilk for sainthood? His patient questioning of MM to try so hard to get an actual meaningful justification out of MM has been impressive).

So I think that MM's actions, taken all together, deserve the epithets that I have addressed him by. I think this causes significant damage to WP by destroying enthusiasm for the whole process, wasting time on his flailing around. There are a lot of WP pages that are effectively edited by very small numbers of editors, and vulnerable to a POV-pusher like MM throwing his weight around. Unless stopped, and I appreciate that my chosen means of doing so is outwith WP rules, he will go on to more, similar damage elsewhere on WP. That completes the case for my defence m'luds.

Gravuritas (talk) 11:26, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

The point I just made on your talk page still stands - you've recognised yourself that you've been very unpleasant to a fellow editor, now please stop it. I'll have a look at the diffs you've posted above, however. But two wrongs do not etc etc. fish&karate 20:32, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

Administrator request This edit [116] by an IP and a couple around it on that page seem oddly in line with MM's views, and oddly timed in view of this thread. Please check for a sock.

Gravuritas (talk) 07:36, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

Gravuritas: The chances of anyone performing a checkuser are vanishingly small. If you are to continue to make allegations of sock puppetry, you need to provide proper evidence. That two (or more) users have disagreed with you over an article edit is not evidence of sock puppetry. It is just evidence that they disagree with you, not necessarily that they agree with each other. You have done this twice now that I am aware of (see Wikipedia:Administrators' noticeboard/Incidents#Persistent and unfounded allegation of Sock puppetry for other example). I do not have the expertise to assess who is right and who is wrong over the privatisation of Britsh Rail, but where two (or more) editors are saying that you are wrong, you should first consider the possibility that you might be wrong (no matter how convinced that you may be that you are not), just as you were wrong at Causes of Brexit. You seem to have missed the warning (now twice): Making allegations of that sort without evidence is a sure fire short cut to an editing block. Or are you now going to accuse Mr rnddude and myself of being socks because we are agreeing on this point whereas you believe you can fire off unfounded allegations unchecked? You also seem to have ignored The first rule of holes: "When you find yourself in one - stop digging!".

I had suggested to the OP that this complaint was off-piste from the one above and should be raised separately. However, as it has developed, it has become more and more on-piste and that original suggestion may not have been as apposite as originally intended. My only defence is: that it was made in good faith. --Elektrik Fanne 13:02, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

Dear EF. Please let's keep things simple. I have referred to you and the IP poster during our difference of opinions several times as sock puppets; you have complained further up this board; I have explained the grounds; the admins will presumably decide shortly whether my grounds were sufficient, and act accordingly. I await their decision(s). I have, as you kindly mentioned, been civil during our differences.

This thread has been opened by someone to whom I have not been civil, because in my view he showed a highly objectionable series of actions, any one of which was legitimate. I show some of his actions in the timeline above, and it would be consistent with those widely-varying actions if he tried to 'get his way' through yet another means, having failed with various others. I have raised a question here because it seemed the appropriate time and place, and I hope it will be responded to. If it were to be MM socking, then it adds to the timeline of actions under consideration. As in the complaint that you have raised against me, I await the court's judgement.

Gravuritas (talk) 13:21, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

"This thread has been opened by someone to whom I have not been civil... " (my emphasis). Confession? --Elektrik Fanne 13:33, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

Elektrik Fanne, I think it's clear to anyone who gives us even a passing glance that we are indeed the exact same person. Let's not kid ourselves. :P On a more serious note, Gravuritas, AN/I is not really a courtroom with a judge, jury and if need be executioner. I think it should be noted clearly as well here that the accusation of sockpuppetry must be supported by strong diffs at the very least. If you can show similar editing patterns or behaviours than that is good as well. That said, editors agreeing with one another would not meet this requirement. It's perfectly possible for two completely different people to agree with each other. Also, As far as I am aware, admins are unable to perform sockpuppetry checks, only a checkuser may do that. Mr rnddude (talk) 13:43, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

1. I wasn't aware that sock-puppetry questions needed strong diffs. Those don't exist in MM's case, so my question about him is withdrawn with an apology.

2. I have explained my reasons for associating EF & the mysterious equally illogical IP, and the characterization of my argument as merely being two people disagreeing with me is laughable. I've bounced around WP for several years now, had a number of disagreements to various degrees, and don't recall ever having been mixed up in an allegation of sock-puppetry before now. [To my knowledge, I've never even seen a sock-puppet in action before] Moreover, what is not so funny now, Mr rnddude, is that by your joke you seem to be concurring in EF's wonky obvious misstatement of the grounds for my opinion, on top of already having misquoted me in a very misleading way in EF's thread. To be blunt, if there were a jury I would object to you being on it.

3. @Elektrik Fanne- a confession to incivility by me is not needed. My words to Mathmensch were obviously not civil. The defence is that they were accurate. If someone makes a racist comment, I assume that WP is not going to have a fit of the vapours if someone labels it as such. [For clarity, I am not accusing anyone around these parts of racism- it's an illustration) If MM did have a destructive tantrum, it's really not up to him to complain if somebody points it out. I would suggest a significant question for what I've now been told is a non-court or a non-jury is: Do MM's actions amount to a tantrum?

Gravuritas (talk) 14:12, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

Ummm.... 1. on top of already having misquoted me in a very misleading way in EF's thread. I haven't commented on EF's thread it was this thread where I "misquoted you" and I'll refer to it later. 2. My joke was not directed to you, and you can choose either to laugh or not, it doesn't affect me. 3. Thanks for withdrawing your SP allegation. 4. Regarding and the characterization of my argument as merely being two people disagreeing with me is laughable you mind explaining this then; This edit [18] by an IP and a couple around it on that page seem oddly in line with MM's views, and oddly timed in view of this thread. Please check for a sock. It's not laughable, it is exactly what you said and did (I didn't even refer to the EF allegation of which I have no knowledge). 5. To be blunt, if there were a jury I would object to you being on it. 1. there isn't a jury and 2. the defendent doesn't get to strike jurors if there was, a lawyer however can. I quoted your words exactly having left the last few words out not thinking that it would change the meaning. I honestly thought in a single post was referring to your post and not MM's post. But that doesn't matter and I've already admitted to that mistake, so could you WP:AGF or naw? 6. I have explained my reasons for associating EF & the mysterious equally illogical IP you realize that's a personal attack right? you're calling EF and the IP illogical and not the premise or position or what have you that they are representing. Comment on content not the contributor, what's the illogical content? (I did say I haven't commented on EF's thread and have no knowledge of the complain). Mr rnddude (talk) 14:30, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

1. You are right, your misleading extract was in this thread. 2. Your joke was in sympathy with EF's complete mischaracterization of my point, so I don't accept the 'wasn't directed at me' response. If you are one of the ones sitting in judgment, or non-judgment, then I suggest you try harder to appear impartial. 3. You are welcome. 4. Yes, it is laughable. The question was raised by me because MM has shown a pattern of behavior, in that if the articles on rail privatization are not to his liking, he will seek to delete them, diminish them, or attack whatever gets in his way- including me to some extent. The 3 or 4 fast edits that drew my attention could be a match for that sort of behavior, and my question had absolutely nothing to do with 'disagreeing with me'. I used 'in line with his views' (which in any case is not the same point at all as 'out of line with my views') and not 'in line with his views and behaviour', which is what I was thinking, because I was trying to make the question as mild as possible. When you stressed that serious support was needed to even ask the question, I dropped it. 5. I was happy to drop it & assume WP:AGF until 2. above made WP:AGF a bit tougher to do. My personal judgment of your GF will remain open until I've seen a bit more reasoned argument as a conclusion. 6. I have explained the illogic of strawman arguments to EF until I am blue in the face. He/she has repeated them, extended them, diversified them, and continues with them. If you look at the Brexit threads, you will find around 20, I would guess. If you look at the EF thread in this board, you'll even find a couple there, too. At some point you have to admit that somebody manufacturing illogic on such a scale is illogical. It's not an attack, it's the truth. And, given that that the threads are becoming so intermingled, the IP address editor also created a straw man (slurring 'misleading' into 'deliberately misleading') using exactly the same words as EF. Given that few editors on WP are such homopalaephiliacs, then it was clear that they were equally illogical and I drew a conclusion that they were the same person. It may or may not have been right, but contrary to EF's assertion below, it was not based on zero evidence.

Gravuritas (talk) 15:43, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

I re-read both your comment above and EF's original comment to which I made a joke to. I thought I had to have missed something and it occurred to me then that there seems to be a misunderstanding. First, you bring up my "impartiality" into question, can we differentiate between impartiality (treating everyone equally) and opinion. I have given my opinions to certain things you've written that I disagreed with, I haven't been partial to the OP as I think is evidenced by this I am indeed waiting for your full response before I make any judgement on the merits of the original post. I still haven't commented on the merits of the OP. I have commented on several things you've said that I thought breached policy, most notably your SPI allegations and stalking comments. I have commented four times on this thread. First, addressing your claim of stalking which you devalued because of my misleading quote, which I explained above and apologized for when I realized my mistake, would you like me to strike or amend that comment? since it's the only thing I can do. Second, to reply to you and inform you that I am not passing any judgement till you give your side of the story (I think impartiality predicates itself on letting both sides tell their story). Third, a joke to EF and an explanation that SPI's won't be accepted without strong evidence. Fourth, a long reply to you on your points about me. The Fifth now begins and is dedicated to point 2. since it's the only one that needs my response; Your joke was in sympathy with EF's complete mischaracterization of my point. Actually it was linked to this; Administrator request This edit [18] by an IP and a couple around it on that page seem oddly in line with MM's views, and oddly timed in view of this thread. Please check for a sock which you've gone ahead and clarified, yet acknowledge that brevity affected the meaning; "in line with his views" means agreeing with, whereas "inline with his views and behaviours" is actually more SPI related. You could only argue that it was my mis-characterization of your comment and not EF's since I posted it in my comment above again. I could sympathize with their mis-characterization given that it was also my own personal reading of that comment. I don't accept the 'wasn't directed at me' response, so you're implying my joke was aimed at you? even though I said anybody. Fine, read between the lines that don't exist. I say things I mean directly, directly. If it was aimed at you, if it was directed at you then my joke would have been; Don't kid yourself EF, Gravuritas has obviously recognized that we're sockpuppets of each other. Or something to that effect. But no, I specifically used something vague and non-specific; anybody. I don't know if you've noticed, but EF has been accused of SP before and it was dismissed without prejudice. I haven't been formally investigated for SP but have been asked questions. That is why I made the joke. We're so far off-topic at this point that I think we're done with this. Anything from here is just going to be circles. I'll give any judgement I have on the merits of the OP later on. Mr rnddude (talk) 04:04, 15 September 2016 (UTC)

So let's just get this straight. You have repeated your allegations of sock puppetry yet again. And you have still not provided one single shred of evidence. --Elektrik Fanne 14:28, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

@Elektrik Fanne. Please accept that I am not intending to be provocative. If I am accused of alleging sock-puppetry, I can't discuss it without explaining why I think so. As far as I recall, my mentioning this belief has been limited to this board for the past few days, and unless needed to defend myself, and as the IP intervention has disappeared, then I have no problem promising not to repeat any such allegations in your direction unless there is fresh (strong!) evidence to do so.

Gravuritas (talk) 16:07, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

Dear Elektrik Fanne & Mathmensch

Would you consider joining me in a request to whoever patrols this board to get on and close this and EF's discussion soon, awarding brownie points, citations for valour, or lifetime bans as they see fit? This is turning our respective differences, which already consumed considerable time, into an even larger consumer of time.

Gravuritas (talk) 15:54, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

@Gravuritas: I would not presume to request that the admins 'get on and close this'. They will get around to examining this at their own pace (and that is generally in proportion to the length of the discussion - so don't hold your breath). It would help your case if you posted a statement that you would not make any further unfounded allegations against anyone without submitting evidence. I should perhaps draw your attention to the Wikipedia policy no personal attacks In particular the bit that says "Accusations about personal behavior that lack evidence [is a personal attack]" and "even isolated personal attacks may lead to a block for disruption.".

You might have noticed that an editor who was trolling in the past decided to raise an SPI case (doubtless in retaliation for the opposition he had for all the problems he tried to cause). He was trying the same trick that you were: that is claiming that because someone agreed with me, we must be the same person. Problem was that in one of the examples, the agreement was heavily backed up by references (and at one point, there were no less than twelve for the claim in the article). The opposition editor was relying on a single reference that did not address the issue (and was using this lack of mention as somehow supporting his case (just like you did)). The SPI case crash landed after less than half an hour of flying time. --Elektrik Fanne 17:25, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

"He was trying the same trick that you were: that is claiming that because someone agreed with me, we must be the same person." Blatant falsehood. I've never done that in your direction, or anyone else's apart from seeming to admittedly, once with MM above, because I abbreviated my argument. But you were already claiming and repeating that falsehood before the single instance above.

Gravuritas (talk) 17:58, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

User: Chriscross619

I believe I reported on this issue last week, but a user has been disruptively editing pages about wrestlers in WWE. Last week it was just a user with just an IP address, but I have reason to suspect that he created an account to get around the fact that a certain page had been protected because of the disruptive edits. His editing style as well is similar to the previous IP address. His username is Chriscross619. I believe that something should be done about this user before he goes and disruptively edits everything. Thank you.

Also, here is why I have reason to believe they're the same person: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Usos&oldid=738993492 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Contributions/2604:2000:7111:7E00:543B:36E5:8038:6BB2

The first is from the user Chriscross619. If you'll notice in the Usos Heel Turn 2016 section, he writes "The Usos turned heel in the process for the first time since 2010." The second link is to the same edit by an unauthorized user with only an IP address. They both use the same editing style. Also note that the Usos were heels in early 2011, they made their debuts in 2010 as heels, which is the issue here: he's been going around editing pages and changing the dates of when they were last heel or face.Dohvahkiin (talk) 14:33, 12 September 2016 (UTC)

• I don't get the problem. You've explained a lot about how he might have been an IP but is now registered, but that isn't against policy. And he changed dates, but that by itself isn't against policy, particularly if it is true or he thought they were true, otherwise it is an editing issue, not an admin issue. You have to show malice. Not sure what a heel or face is, as you explained it in WWE jargon. If you want someone to actually respond, you have to keep it short, explain in plain English and demonstrate actual policy violations using diffs. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 00:42, 13 September 2016 (UTC)
• Oh, and you are OBLIGATED to tell the other party you reported them here. You need to go do that. Just look at the top of this page for the template. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 00:43, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

• I had asked the user in question not to make the edits where he marked heel and face turns before I saw this thread. Generally, we try not to write articles using those words because WP:JARGON.LM2000 (talk) 03:44, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

• Let me simplify it then: He's proving incorrect information, and when I correct that misinformation, he just reverts it. No explanation given. The first time I noticed it, he actually left a note in the article itself, and told people to stop changing the date, yet, he was changing the date from the original one given. I've tried to contact him, but get no response. Even doesn't listen to any comments made on the revision history page either. This has been going on since last Thursday I believe. Page even got semi-protection because of the disruptive editing, and that's why he created an account.Dohvahkiin (talk) 04:53, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

In wrestling, the word "heel" means a wrestler who is a bad guy and the word "face" is used for his opponent, the wrestler the people are supposed to cheer for. "Turning heel" means changing your wrestling persona from one that the public adores to one that antagonizes the public. Please re-read the original post, and you will understand it. (((The Quixotic Potato))) (talk) 17:15, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

See, it is hard to tell if this is an editor or admin issue. The facts that he is removing, do you have rock solid citations for them? If you do, then he would be inserting bad info against sources. If you don't, then it is a matter of "he said / he said". Since admin don't take sides on content, we can only get involved if there is sourcing that clearly shows he is being disruptive. And thank you for the explanation, I have watched wrestling since Fritz Von Eric and Don "The Lawman" Slatton [117] were regulars on the Dallas circuit, many moons ago. (And it is a shame that Don's article is a red link. I knew him, he retired and opened up a bail bond business in Abilene, Tx., but I digress...) We need to be sure the facts are sourced, show the source, so we can see the edits are in bad faith. In the meanwhile, I will poke around and see if there is more obvious evidence. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 23:13, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

See, it's a bit more complicated than that. Whereas he's saying the last time they were heels was back in 2010, there is evidence on YouTube of them being heels until the first half of 2011. Plus, their Wikipedia article even mentions that they turned face in June of 2011, so that would mean any months before then, they were heels. It's more of implied facts than citations.Dohvahkiin (talk) 02:33, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

I believe he's conceded defeat on The Usos. However, there may be more articles the user has edited that other editors are having issues with, as I noticed another warning posted under the warning you gave to him.Dohvahkiin (talk) 02:42, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

As per his talk page, user seemingly fails to understand what it means to provide valid sources. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_talk:Chriscross619Dohvahkiin (talk) 03:06, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

And I warned him pretty strongly, but realistically, I have to have clear evidence that he is changing facts into non-facts before sanctioning him. Otherwise, it is a matter of you say one thing, he says another, and I pick sides, which isn't something I can do as admin. I have to verify via sources that he is adding bad info/hoaxes/incompetent/whatever. YouTube isn't really a good source, btw. This is one reason WWE and MMA articles are widely ignored by admin, its a pain to verify a lot of this stuff and we can't act without certainty. Previous warning templates aren't certainty, citations are. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 06:59, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

If I may chime in briefly, @NeilN: and myself have talked with Chriscross619 on their talk page, they did respond to a warning I issued to them, about sourcing and what not as this has been going on over several articles, bad information, unsourced material, etc. I don't think they had bad intentions just misguided. I am under the impression from their responses that there may be a language or understanding barrier either that or they are playing games, I'm leaning towards the barrier as they have made no edits since we talked. I am hoping that after this they will do some reading and understand things better. Chris "WarMachineWildThing" ^{Talk to me} 07:20, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

• Thanks, and this is the approach we want to take. Sometimes it takes a threat of block to get their attention, but a real solution really takes someone taking the time to explain. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 16:09, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

Dennis Brown asked for "clear evidence that he is changing facts into non-facts". Seems like a reasonable request.

In this edit Chriscross619 changes a fact into a non-fact.

This edit by user Dohvahkiin seems to be correct.

Let's look at the (non-reliable, this is wrestling) sources:

"On WWE SmackDown Live, The Usos reverted back to their roots and turned heel for the first time since 2011, attacking the hottest young, new tag team in American Alpha." - dailyddt.com

"But it’s not all over for The Usos and The Hype Bros, particularly the former tag team, who turned to the dark side for the first time since 2011." - blastingnews.com

So, maybe someone needs to check some more of Chriscross619's edits, and see if they are also incorrect.

(((The Quixotic Potato))) (talk) 17:13, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

Been done, so far none were correct or sourced and were reverted. Chris "WarMachineWildThing" ^{Talk to me} 17:16, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

gross incivility and edit war from Engleham

(Note: reopening this discussion per clear consensus at Wikipedia:Administrators' noticeboard#Request for review of close on WP:ANI. --Floquenbeam (talk) 21:07, 14 September 2016 (UTC))

Engleham in response to an EW warning wrote: [118] notified at [119]

@Collect Nice try at a wind-up. Well you know I consider any suggestions you offer to anyone regarding good behaviour, are completely and utterly farcical, given the record suggests you to be one of Wikipedia's most chronic, trivial and homophobic WP:CRUSH edit warriors and, --- need it be said once again --- seasoned stalker. Engleham (talk) 15:59, 12 September 2016 (UTC)

I rather think this series of string accusations gores well beyond the pale. I note that the editor has been sanctioned repeatedly for "disruptive editing"

His edits at Cary Grant include

1. [120] 24:04 12 Sep adding material in nature deleted by strong consensus in the past,
2. [121] 14:35 12 Sep asserting that the claims were fully backed by the sources given,
3. [122] 14:50 12 Sep asserting again (erroneously) that the claims were backed by the sources given, and
4. [123] 14:13 12 Sep using the same material in another article, even though the sourcing and claims were questioned by several editors.

Thus he has also clearly engaged in edit war as well as calling another editor "homophobic" "seasoned stalker" "edit warrior" etc. Collect (talk) 16:25, 12 September 2016 (UTC)

Yes, his addition was poorly worded and written like a tabloid too, affecting the neutrality. Rather than discuss it this editor immediately opened an RFC, which I doubt will prove productive.♦ Dr. Blofeld 16:28, 12 September 2016 (UTC)

Any yet another [124] example of him calling me a liar. Please - someone, anyone, do something. Collect (talk) 16:40, 12 September 2016 (UTC)

I made two edits to the Cary Grant article, which were cited by reliable sources, and qualified in their claim. Collect reverted it with "Gay edit reverted - please get consensus before trying this type of edit" Charming. That's the kind of incisive encyclopaedic editing one really responds to. I reverted it and continued to add further citations and saved. Blofeld reverted it so I set up an Rfc. Collect has been stalking me for over a year, on and off. The previous example (one of several) is documented below by me, should you wish wade through it. I'm a careful and conscientious editor, but sometimes one has to put up with nonsense. How much time has he wasted on this page on trivia involving others this year? Never mind. What he doesn't like, and what's driving this, is his being called to account on his WP:CRUSH tactics. Anyway, we move on. Well at least I do.

---

You very well know I've had to address your stalking of my edits in the past. But let's look more recently, shall we? On the 17th, although you only made a handful of article edits, you directly and indirectly stalked me. 1. On 17 August I edited William Drummond Stewart adding the review citation of Benneman. 2. The same day you run across to the Reliable Sources Noticeboard taking issue with Benneman, slagging the suggestion that he's a reputable scholar. When that didn't work, you claimed your issue was that it constituted a single source. Someone else pointed out an additional source, which you dismissed. That's not enough for you. Because you can't win you... 3. Start incorporating mention of Benneman as a "law archivist" into the body of articles! First for the article on William North. Then that of Count d'Orsay. Your background knowledge of both topics is so poor, you think Benneman is the only scholar to suggest both individuals may have been bisexual. To repair your damage to the articles, I added a slew of pertinent new references and remove Benneman's name from the body of the text - and completely from the d'Orsay article as there are more pertinent sources. Incorporating scholar's names into the body of articles is never best practice unless they have dramatically changed the field of studies. And it has been abused for vanity purposes. It certainly shouldn't be employed to pursue a personal agenda, as you have been doing. 4. The day wasn't over. You chose to revert a quote on Frederick the Great's article I'd added just two weeks prior. 5. Having obviously looked at my edit log, from the hundreds of articles up for deletion, you THEN chose to vote opposing me on Frederick Blond, which I voted on only a hour or so before: [Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Friedrich Blond]. And that's just in one 24 hour period when you're on a vindictive roll. As I've said before, you need to grow up. You clearly have a very strong bias against the incorporation of any suggestion of homosexuality/bisexuality into articles, when relevant, however many sources are supplied. And you have a very clear bias against myself – completely understandable, as I've shown you up, and your WP: CRUSH modus operandi repeatedly. And I know how much that infuriates you. Well, you need to get over it. I'm a very cautious editor with a loathing of supposition beyond what can be established by sources. And will delete anything that steps over that mark. e.g. with regard to William North - if you Google "steuben + "extraordinarily intense emotional relationship" + will" you'll find a slew of articles stating that this phrase was in Steuben's Will but edited out by an earlier biographer. A few articles even suggest the Will reads "like a love letter". I checked the 1930s biography, and the Will, and the claim is complete tosh. The phrase came from a biographical source which I identified and added, and inserted a note in the citations, which will hopefully quell this canard. And I've deleted other similar gay overclaims elsewhere in the past. However, there is a point where the amount of circumstantial evidence can sometimes tip to "beyond reasonable doubt". No one ever saw Oscar Wilde engage in homosexual acts, he denied it in a public court, and he was married with two children. Does that make him straight? I hate false history. Including gay history that makes false claims or exceptional ones that are not supported. But neither am I a friend of bigotry that seeks to distort history. There is a seachange going on in historical studies where previously suppressed material is being published, and existing material re-evaluated, and if it is relevant, then I will endeavour to incorporate it, after filtering it through the editorial lens. Engleham (talk) 16:48, 12 September 2016 (UTC)

Comment @Engleham: now I have no dog in this fight, however I do take into question your choice to misquote Collect's edit summary, the edit summary reads as follows, "BRD "Gay edit" reverted - please get consensus before trying this type of edit". You removed the " " from around "gay edit", denoting the content of the edit, not the edit itself. That behavior, if common with you, could get you into trouble for lying or misrepresenting facts. Personally, I think an apology is in order for that at least. ^{(talk page stalker)} CrashUnderride 17:09, 12 September 2016 (UTC)

Sorry, I removed the commas not to change the content but for formatting. I actually think the commas make it appear even more flippant! Anywaays, I think I'm very forbearing, but when it comes to childish WP:CRUSH tactics, which are just corrosive to the spirit of Wikipedia, I admit I have a short fuse. I note that in January of this year, I added this to Collect's Talk page: "YES, you were stalking me. And YES, I'll call you out again if it happens again. I've read what people have posted about you, so I realise my experience with you is far from unique. They got your number, and, so have I. By that I don't mean 43,000 edits, which impresses me not one whit. As I believe has already been pointed out to you, some of the most prolific and barnstarred editors on Wikipedia are some of the very worst. And your crowing as to being a crusading white knight of neutrality also impresses me not a whit: those who truly exercise it don't feel the need to go on about it; I've also witnessed several pathological manipulators claim the very same. You seem to hold the delusion that YOUR personal vision of Wikipedia, is the one that should prevail....Being flexible with some edits and content that may grate your teeth, if they don't blatantly contradict policy, is the way it works. In other words, with a measure of generosity... you are acting FAR from the neutrality you proclaim. Neutrality on Wikipedia also demands being reasonable, and not egotistical. I echo the advice of others to you: being more considered and generous in judgements, by editing less rather than more, would benefit not only Wikipedia, but also yourself." Fortunately, I usually don't have much to do with him -- its only when I move from drier or academic articles to popular articles such as - God save us - bloody Cary Grant, that there's intersection. But he clearly does stalk and needs to chill out -- including I'd suggest, with the amount of time spent tying up editors' and admins' time here and elsewhere with trivial issues. Is there a secret list maintained of chronic abusers of people's time and good will? Perhaps there should be. Engleham (talk) 17:33, 12 September 2016 (UTC)

• • Moved to correct section as per Clpo13 many thanks ;) ** _Muffled ^Pocketed 18:57, 12 September 2016 (UTC)
  • @Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi: Did you mean to add this to a different section, perhaps? clpo13_(talk) 18:54, 12 September 2016 (UTC)

I've recently reviewed the secret list of chronic abusers of people's time and good will. User:Collect does not appear there. Based on OP's TLDR WALLSOFTEXT and baseless accusations of homophobia and wiki-stalking, I've sent an in camera nomination of OP to be honored by inclusion on this occult list. The secret overlords will be holding their monthly clandestine meeting at a confidential time and undisclosed location of their choosing. After their Star Chamber proceeding, all will be set aright. David in DC (talk) 21:27, 12 September 2016 (UTC)

If you haven't got anything useful to add to a discussion here (which clearly you haven't), it's probably not useful for you to post here at all. Black Kite (talk) 22:19, 12 September 2016 (UTC)

• @Engleham:, I don't buy the "formatting" excuse, not from someone who claims to be a "careful and conscientious editor". But I don't want to get distracted by the side show - the main point is that you labeled another editor in a way that is a gross violation of civility. It is now up to you to decide whether you wish to stick by that comment. Note carefully, I am not asking whether you happen to believe it, but whether you think it is a proper thing to say here. If you think it was not a proper thing to say, you can think about appropriate next steps. If you think it was a proper thing to say, I'm going to request a community ban.--S Philbrick(Talk) 00:01, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

@Sphilbrick Calling out an editor for engaging in WP:CRUSH; homophobic editing rather than fair editing; and stalking, isn't a "gross violation of civility" if the record supports the accusations and/or the other editor sincerely believes it is so. It's simply a plain english statement. What possible euphemisms could otherwise be employed? Whether, as here, the editor wishes to play-act at taking 'offence' at being confronted on their behaviour is up to them. After the expense of exceeding patience and civility, it needs plain stating if one is to have a hope of seeking modification of it. Let's briefly take just one of those accusations, the one you might consider the most difficult to prove, and I'll give you a single instance, and one that doesn't involve me. The article for Frederick the Great states: "Recent major biographers of Frederick, including Alings, Blanning, Burgdorf and Hahn, are unequivocal that he was predominately homosexual, and that his sexuality was central to his life and character." After that statement there's five citations. The statement is exceedingly clear. Last week I noted an editor added a link on the article to the LGBT Royalty page. Fair enough. It was swiftly deleted by Collect with the statement "very weak categorization at best". Now: given the contents of the article, you could not call that in any way an edit made in "good faith". I didn't bother addressing it, because it's pointless. And yes, one can characterise this a minor incident, which it is, but multiply it by 100 edits and the material begins to look quite compromised. Multiply the civilPOV pushing and stalking activity, and you may appreciate that my tolerance of it is less than what it was. Should they be subject to a ban? Or is such behaviour always too, too laboursome to prove? Hopefully, such exposure may give this editor pause. I think a sanction of myself for plain stating would be wrong, and send entirely the wrong message to them. Engleham (talk) 01:43, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

Community ban requested

I had hoped that a little introspection would persuade Engleham that, even if they were convinced that Collect was homophobic, it is incivil to make such an assertion, and there are better ways to approach the issue (such as suggesting that particular edits were problematic, which is fundamentally different than smearing an editor.) I was wrong, and Engleham has declined to apologize and/or remove the castigation. I am very forgiving of editors lapses, if there is contriteness, and oppose blocks or bans associated with one-off events, but if one is specifically asked to think hard about a comment, and one still stands by it, then I don't want that editor contributing. Perhaps some time away and some introspection will persuade the editor to come back in the future with a more civil approach to editing.

• Support (as proposer)--S Philbrick(Talk) 02:04, 13 September 2016 (UTC)
• Support ^{(talk page stalker)} CrashUnderride 02:09, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

Homophobic is considered a standard description of a behavioural motivation. Some consider it an honour. Suggesting there's another way to describe that Frederick the Great edit and the similar one's he's made as anything other that what they are, is being utterly disingenuous. And as I stated, sending the wrong message to the wrong person. If sitting at AIDS death beds taught me anything, it's not to tolerate bigotry, and to know for fucking sure what I stand for. Consequently, if bigotry and the distortion of articles that flows from it is what you're willing to mollycoddle: after 10 years contributing here, I won't be back. And it will be a very easy decision. Finis. Engleham (talk) 02:19, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

Well, it was easy for me to support when you willfully misrepresented an edit summary as I mentioned above and I don't buy your excuse for a second. Not to mention your tone in your comment just now, yeah, that's not helping your case. ^{(talk page stalker)} CrashUnderride 02:34, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

As I stated, I did not change the message summary intentionally to alter its meaning, and I have no idea how you think the removal of the commas does. Do tell me, because for the life of me, I read it the same. If anything, it makes him look better and less anomalising of the expression. And I certainly wouldn't have intended that! As for leaving permanently, I'm serious. Have you looked at Collects back history? I mean genuinely gone in and looked. Because I'm making all this up? Engleham (talk) 02:42, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

They are not commas, they are quotation marks. It's important to copy the edit summary as it is and remove nothing. Also, as I said in my first comment on your issue, I have no dog in this fight, I know nothing of either one of you. My problem with you is that you removed something from the edit summary that could have and in my case did affect the interpretation of the summary. ^{(talk page stalker)} CrashUnderride 02:46, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

Repeat: If anything, it makes him look better and less anomalising of the expression. And I certainly wouldn't have intended that! Engleham (talk) 02:49, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

And I repeat (notice I'm actually using quotations properly): "...removed something from the edit summary that could have and in my case did affect the interpretation of the summary." as in, your removal of them affected my initial interpretation of the summary. So, as I said, that's why you copy and paste them exactly as they are written. ^{(talk page stalker)} CrashUnderride 02:55, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

Yes, I said I'm sorry. I quickly edited several commas in Source because things were italicising oddly, and I'm sorry I removed the inverted ones. I'm happy for you to read it any way you want, and interpret it any way you want. Christ: now I know how Hillary feels when she sneezes.Engleham (talk) 03:14, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

• Support This is not a "one-off", rather it is the latest in a chain of long term problems with this editor. Personal attacks such as this are unacceptable, and Engelham's response indicates no intention to change course. There seems, therefore, no alternative to imposing the next block in the escalating series, as a minimum, as previous sanctions have failed to prevent recurrence. I'd further support an indefinite community ban on this occasion, since time-limited blocks have proved ineffective, and unblocking therefore needs to be only after the community is convinced the reasons for sanction are understood, and will not recur.-- Begoon 02:29, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

@Begoon Mmm. Given Collect has even blocks than I, and for edit-warring,[125]what sanction does that formulate for you? Engleham (talk) 05:59, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

One further observation: it appears this has quickly assumed, thanks to @Sphilbrick, the format of a trial. I thought in a trial the evidence on both sides was carefully examined. That isn't happening. What's happening looks like both the easy cop-out, and pettiness. Well, that won't be a first here. As someone has previously noted, the AdminBoard's response to CivilPOV pushing has always been particularly poor given the time it takes to research. Engleham (talk) 03:00, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

• Support - I'm not going to comment on the merits of Collect's and Engleham's dispute, but per his block log and seeing how Engleham has continued to decline to apologize, I have to agree with Sphilbrick's sentiments. Yes the editing gets hot at times, but it's no excuse to not engage in a reasonable and not combative manner. If you are unable to do that and insist on playing a part in furthering conflicts and making others feel attacked, then you don't belong here. Calling others "homophobic" is contrary to our collaborative atmosphere, it does not matter if you think another contributor is "homophobic" or not, you're supposed to keep comments like that to yourself. As a formerly banned editor myself, I know from experience that eventually an editor should have to verbalize what is the problem with their editing/behavior before being allowed to continue to participate. I think this is such a circumstance. —Mythdon 03:10, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

You're absolutely right. I'm never going to apologise for naming homophobia IF, after making every possibly concession, and being civil, it appears transparently clear that this behaviour is driving and and distorting edits. Because there's no other word in the english language that describes it so it can it can discussed, and hopefully mediated. That's why we have this clumsy word!!! Engleham (talk) 03:22, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

• Support I witnessed this user's behavior on Talk:Gary Cooper, where they tried to insert material on another golden-era Hollywood star's alleged homosexuality. In-between RfCs, Engleham received a one-month block for, among other things, a disgusting antisemetic attack on a fellow editor. After returning, Engleham proposed an almost identical RfC. Engleham didn't WP:DROPTHESTICK in the dispute, so it comes as no surprise that they continued to make ad hominem attacks. Some time away from the encyclopedia may be the best solution in this case.LM2000 (talk) 03:29, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

@LM2000 among other things, a disgusting antisemetic attack on a fellow editor. Christ. What an utter bald faced liar you are, whoever you are. I've never been antisemetic in my life.Engleham (talk) 04:15, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

Read the comments you made on your talk page on May 24. Right before your most recent block.LM2000 (talk) 04:33, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

I'm well aware of what was suggested, which was an utterly ridiculous and gross misrepresentation of lighthearted comments, (and taken as such by the balanced and sane), which had nothing whatsoever to do with antisemetism. Engleham (talk) 04:46, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

• Support I was going to fast-forward past this section but the 03:22, 13 September 2016 comment above made me read enough to see that Engleham needs a break until ready to join the community. People disagree (aka fight) about edits all the time, but participants need to focus on edits and sources without claims about the motivations or honesty of others. Johnuniq (talk) 03:31, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

• Support Noting my comments at User_talk:The_ed17#User_talk:Engleham where I note Engleham's comments:

your very own endlessly tedious soapbox lecturings on bias. (But as everyone who has ever crossed you knows all too well, such injunctions don't apply to you -- especially if you think you can get a rise out of the other party, puerile unhelpful rubbish that some other editor will eventually delete anyway - and not just your nemesis User:Dr. Blofeld.,

Your predicable baiting bullshit can rot by itself, Rosenfield's biography of Hepburn never appeared. Why? Because he suicided the same month as he wrote the review slagging Higham,

What?! You left out the part about the Gay Illuminati Conspiracy.,

If this material fails to convince anyone of Engleham's fairly clear incivility, I do not know what would. Well, maybe his remarks iterating his attack should make the case clear, I suppose. ("I'm never going to apologise for naming homophobia" appears to be an attack and refusal to even make a pseudo-apology for his attacks and disruptive editing , as I do understand English fairly well) Collect (talk) 03:31, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

Yes, @Collect that's correct. As a master of disruptive CivilPOV pushing edits, which many, many, many people have called you out on, I too am calling you out on it. And on your stalking. And on your homophobic edits. Will you admit to being homophobic? Because your edits, blind to fact or any semblance of concise rational argument, certainly have all the markings of old geezer bigotry, and are wildly distortionary in that respect. Engleham (talk) 03:46, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

Support permanent ban at this point I think that Engleham has now set a record. At least he has not used anti-Semitic slurs as he did about another editor. Please, someone, act. I think he has dug a hole large enough at this point. For the record, I am not "homophobic" as my friend and neighbor who was an early AIDS death could have told you. Your repeated namecalling is extraordinarily ill-aimed, and makes me less than pleased with your view of civility. Collect (talk) 04:08, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

@Collect. Yes, I'm sure you did a nice neighbourly line in patronisation. Contrary to what you state, you ARE clearly a liar peddling LM2000s gross falsehood. Which you know to be so. Obviously that cancer didn't grow on its own! Engleham (talk) 04:24, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

@Collect. Oh dear. I now see the dear Dr is accusing you of lying as well! Aren't people simply ghastly! And on such a VITAL self-award! It must have been shattering. It was wise to scrub his comments from your Talk Page. But then, scrubbing all that endless negativity from others must be exhausting. I prefer to let people's silliness, like here, just sit and fester, so others can come along later and smirk at it in wonder. Engleham (talk) 05:38, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

So now you add "liar" again to your incivility? And I peddle gross falsehood? I think now you need a permaban more than ever. And you were warned by an admin recently that he would impose a far stiffer sanction if you repeated your recent behavior? I simply suggest that at this point, you are not only not here to build an encyclopedia, your actions appear well bent on destroying it. Cheers. Collect (talk) 08:40, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

• Support with regret. I was going to oppose this as s serious overreaction to a legitimate grievance. The term "homophobic" in the modern world is a slur. It is a blatant accusation of bigotry and Engleham should know that. But a CBAN is the closest thing the project has to capital punishment and I am not a fan of that in any form. (If I have ever voted for a CBAN I can't remember it.) Unfortunately as I read through the comments, including his 03:22 statement it is becoming uncomfortably clear that Engleham just doesn't get it. The final nail in the coffin was a look at his block record. This is an unrepentant serial offender. An indeff block would work for me. But we are where we are. The bottom line is that too much time has been spent over the years dealing with this kind of disruptive behavior from one editor. -Ad Orientem (talk) 04:10, 13 September 2016 (UTC)
• Oppose community ban. An indefinite block would be sufficient in this case. Community bans should be reserved for the very worst of the worst, and this editor isn't even currently blocked at all. Most admins that oppose community bans point out that a "de facto" ban is automatically put in place when an indefinite block wouldn't be reversed by any reasonable admin. I see this as overkill. Indef, if needed (currently it apparently is not), then go from there. Doc talk 06:41, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

Doc9871 The ed17 stated on Engleham's talk page: "@HighInBC: I've upped the block to a month. The level of disruption is just too much to ignore, and there have been several previous two-week blocks. Next one will be indef. Ed [talk] [majestic titan] 20:28, 24 May 2016 (UTC) " Yes - the user has specifically been warned that their next block would be indef. So the conditions you mention do exist already. And this violation is worse than any admin has ever tolerated in the past. Collect (talk) 08:40, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

Shall we go through your blocks, Collect, step by step? Engleham (talk) 09:59, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

Meh. The die has been cast. But I don't buy it. I'm sure I'll be the only oppose here. A CBAN is overkill, absolutely. CBANs are for prolific trolls. This guy is unpopular. Why is he still allowed to comment here if he needs to be CBANned? A block would not suffice, to prevent disruption? PC overkill. Doc talk 08:49, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

• Support After seeing the comment "More of this A Type New York good jewishboy overthinking and anxiety, and you'll be in the coronary ward nursing your new stent" on their talkpage it is clear they are unable to avoid personalising disputes. Only in death does duty end (talk) 07:43, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

That was in response to the fabulous NYBrad after my No vote for the lovely Oz Admin. Bless him: in the office we all thought we'd die. Speaking of dying: I think Doc9871's suggestions are slightly confusing. I admit I'm not on the distinctions between these two sanctions, but the difference between them appears a mere matter of semantics, and the kind of thing that makes non-Wikipedians hoot. One appears to be Death, and the other, Death With Spit. Rather Monty Pythonesque, non? Especially given the most enthusiastic potential rock thrower here is - quelle surprise -- Collect who lodged the whinge. Also perhaps not surprisingly, hypocritically he has a longer block log than myself..... for edit warring. And it was my refusal to tolerate any longer his particular tactics in that regard which created this situation. We know Wikipedia doesn't grasp irony well, but I'm feeling quite martyred. Messiah like, even. So whatever is most suitable Death Option in that situation would surely be the preferable one. Engleham (talk) 08:13, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

To get to the point where you make a 'Jew' joke/insult/whatever targeted at another editor, you have to firstly identify they are of Jewish heritage (in this case fairly easy), then think its appropriate to do so. Firstly I think its telling you think its appropriate at all to make that sort of racist stereotyping comment, secondly deliberately personalising a dispute in that manner is against any number of policies. RE the difference in sanction, an indefinite block means that any administrator can unblock you on a suitable display of contrition. A community ban means a discussion has to be had by the community. A community ban is proposed when when editors think there is little chance of rehabilitation. Only in death does duty end (talk) 08:33, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

You'll need to read my original comments somewhere on the admin voting page, then mix yourself a cocktail, and read his interpretation of them. I think you'll find it was a light-hearted but well-framed joke. My litmus test is a similar gay joke against myself. If I took offence: well fuck me for taking myself so seriously. I didn't hear back, so hopefully he got it. In the new world of perceived slights and the constantly triggered, I don't particularly care. Ta for the explanation on the sanctions. So I was right! ;-) No, I certainly have no contrition with regards to this one. Any gay man truly worth their salt would slap themselves for pandering and conceding as much as I have to such persistent homophobia. It needs to be named. The idea, floated upthread, by @Sphilbrick that there are other ways to approach the issue and suggest the edits are problematic ---well, dur -- but genuine bigots will never negotiate even in the face of fact, so one either walks away, become another victim of WP:CRUSH, or call their bluff - which, after a long, long history of revisions and realising no level of concession was considered acceptable, is what I did. Engleham (talk) 09:11, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

The majority of editors that really need to be community banned would have been blocked and forbidden from commenting here a bit ago. Congratulations! You have the ability (for now) to comment on your death sentence. An unusual situation. Doc talk 09:20, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

I'm surprised Madam Defarge has prolonged it. Bring on the purple, I say. I believe everything that needs to be said has been said. I acknowledge Wikipedia operates in a collegiate manner. However, occasionally, one may have to make a call within that paradigm. Consequently, I believe I did the right thing; the guiltier party is going unpunished and will so continue their behaviours to the detriment of fact. Process wins over fairness, and content suffers. Engleham (talk) 09:30, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

Dickens, eh? Typical. Ban this upstart. Forthwith! Doc talk 09:38, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

• Support', pace Doc, who makes a very good point. Yes there is a distinction, but IMO a block is a unilateral action and something that has consensus from a larger group is basically a ban, so a debated sanction like this one is a ban whether we call it that or not. Guy (Help!) 08:37, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

Should I do the closing summary? A sad discussion regarding an editor trying to deal with long-term bigotry by calling it out, and which could have addressed what is a familiar but occasionally deeply problematic issue in a more empathetic and innovative manner, but instead chose to go down a predictable route of simple condemnation of the response, but not of the triggering action. Unsatisfactory resolution that offered no insightful discussion on a very real problem that can impact on editors, or ideas for fresh approaches to rigid editorial walls shaped by belief. Departed of his own volition. Engleham (talk) 10:45, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

Silence, Fiend. Doc talk 11:02, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

For a tender shimmering breast-clutching moment I thought that read 'Friend'. Engleham (talk) 11:14, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

Friend only to the foul denizens of the abyss! Begone, Thing! Unspeakable. Banished and accursed! Doc talk 11:36, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

Don't.... stop. Let me just undo a few buttons. Engleham (talk) 11:53, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

Heh. Now, seriously. The cart has been put in front of the horse here. Yer basically screwed for being un-PC. "Consensus" on this thread will have you community banned. It's not due process by any means, but it's reality. Sorry I couldn't do more to sway the mob. From now on we should have NOTHERE be a community ban criteria, BTW. Doc talk 12:31, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

Yer basically screwed for being un-PC I haven't said a single word about the hair of ArbCom. But yes, that sense of unease when justice seems ill-served and peremptorily, does hang like a vapour. Engleham (talk) 12:37, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

• Oppose - An indefinite block is enough here. The comments by Engleham have overstepped any bounds of civility, no personal attacks and arguably aspersions and on the one hand left my jaw slack, but, on the other hand came from a misguided attempt to uphold the rights of the homosexual community. I have no qualms with standing up for what you believe in, but, when every single editor says in one form or another "you fucked up" it usually means that "you fucked up". That's where the request for contrition comes in. You could have and should have said to yourself; okay, I may be wrong here. I hate false contrition though, absolutely despise it. So to be honest, I actually prefer Engleham's brutal honesty (honesty regarding what he thinks) to some false half-baked apology. Now if you showed some genuine contrition that's fine, but, it's not going to happen. Besides, Departed of his own volition. Goodbye and good luck, and please avoid using slurs on possibly innocent people. Mr rnddude (talk) 11:32, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

• Note on Re-opening: This discussion was closed yesterday by User:Ritchie333 with the following summary:

Engleham (talk · contribs) is blocked for one month for repeated personal attacks and failure to drop the stick in disputes. Although this is considerably less than the community ban people are calling for, those who have opposed the ban (especially Doc9871) are still comfortable with a block, and one month off (per precedent set by The ed17 in May and escalating accordingly) seems to be about the lenient I can make it given everything that has been discussed here and not make it sound like a witch hunt. Engleham is reminded that repeated behaviour in future may well result in an indefinite block. Ritchie333 ^{(talk) (cont)} 15:04, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

Per a clear consensus at Wikipedia:Administrators' noticeboard#Request for review of close on WP:ANI, this close did not reflect the consensus of the community who had commented so far. In that AN thread, some proposed reopening this discussion, others proposed changing the 1 month block to a community ban. I'm opting to reopen this, both to see if there is a late surge in people who agreed with Ritchie's approach, and because community ban discussions typically last at least 24 hours. The 1 month block while the discussion is going on throws a bit of a monkey wrench into the plan; however, I think Engleham has commented adequately (and to his great disadvantage) in this thread already, and there is universal agreement that a 1 month block is at the very least justified, so I am not going to unblock so he can make more personal attacks in a thread about him making personal attacks. if he wishes to comment further, he can post something on his talk page with a {{helpme}} template, and if it does not contain personal attacks, someone can move it here. I will let him know about this change to the situation on his talk page. --Floquenbeam (talk) 21:07, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

• Support community ban. Engleham got his first block for personal attacks in 2007, and his latest one last May (the current block not included), and was blocked multiple times for personal attacks and harassment in between those blocks, clearly showing that he either can't change his ways or doesn't want to change his ways. - Tom | Thomas.W ^talk 21:34, 14 September 2016 (UTC)
• Support for CBAN An extensive block log is one thing, but having just reviewed Engleham's recent user talk page comments and their contributions to recent discussions, it's clear that their present perspectives on what constitutes appropriate engagement on this project fall so woefully short of even the most baseline community standards regarding civility that this must be considered a basic competency issue. Nearly every criticism of their behaviour or comment by a concerned community member is met with a PA--including recurrent references to race, old age, and other personal characteristics that some might say cross into the territory of hate speech, but which certainly, at the very least, are crass and caustic. Volunteers who have attempted to reach out and advise that the worst of these behaviours be avoided, as civilly as they might advise on such, have been derided to an extent that can only be appropriately classified as heckling.

Indeed, for me there seems to be more than a little bit of a sense here that Engleham thrives on this kind of discord--a notion supported by his repeated (and quite frankly creepy and deeply inappropriate) references to sexual gratification whenever someone expresses a particularly strong objection to his behaviour. The overwhelming impression I got from reading his talk page in particular (and the often self-amused, gleeful way in which he responds to concerns there), was that he just thinks he's a very clever chap, and that he need not regard the concerns of his fellow community members as anything more than an opportunity to prove his wit through naked insults and by relaying the insights he feels he perceives into the character of others. This impression is bolstered by the fact that even long-term blocks do not seem to concern him and do not seem to have modified his behaviour in the slightest.

Taking all of this together, my impression is that this editor lacks a temperment necesary to contribute to this project in a constructive manner and a community ban is in order--and especially necessary so that the editor is blocked from returning unless they convince the community that they have taken the time to truly understand and internalize this community's most basic behavioural standards, rather than potentially manipulating a single admin who might be unfamiliar with their track-record for disruption and vitriolic treatment of others. Snow ^{let's rap} 01:26, 15 September 2016 (UTC)

• copied (and updated [e/c]) ( Begoon 03:34, 15 September 2016 (UTC)) from Engleham's talk page:

  {{Help me}}

  Thank you @Floquenbeam and again, @Ritchie333 @Doc9871 I would like to say on the re-opened thread:

  I was endeavouring to get the behaviour of the complainant to stop. It is something of no little surprise to me that no one has commented on that fact, or whether the statements made were true, or possibly true. The other party's harassing behaviour has been beyond endurance. I stated firstly that they had been "S---g" i.e. relentlessly following my edits, even when repeatedly asked to stop. And I pasted upthread a review of their actions on this over a single 24 hour period to enable some perception of it. I stated that they had been civil POV pushing and "H----c" in their editing. Whatever personal views an editor holds I care not a whit. However, it is a different matter if in their editing their personal disapproval refuses to allow neutrally worded facts, supported by reliable sources. The other party has 10 previous bans, mostly for edit-warring. That suggests, does it not, that there may be truth in my statement they are civil POV pushing, and that they have generated a huge amount of frustration in other editors, not only myself - frustration that leads to frankness. As for the second statement, I don't know any euphemism to describe 'H---c' behaviour in editing - does anyone? Not conceding neutrally worded material backed by reliable sources, isn't just unfair, and compromising: it's enormously frustrating for any editor. There's lots of material most of us don't like on Wikipedia, but if its neutrally worded and backed by reliable sources, we don't touch it. To sum up: (a) I wrote what I did from deep conviction that it was true, and repeated bad behaviour (b) I wrote it in order for the behaviour to cease and (c) and I don't any other words to describe the behaviour. (I don't believe 'H----c' is uncivil when it describes the specific nature of the edits, and I'm only blanking it to ensure this is hopefully posted.) To install a lifetime ban for this seems extraordinarily unfair. It also seems to be sending a very wrong message: that YES, you can get away with any amount of bad behaviour on Wikipedia, provided you are very keen, very cunning, and ingenuously civil. And I believe most experienced editors here would at least privately concede that they are aware of this invidious loophole. Engleham (talk) 02:30, 15 September 2016 (UTC)

Webzen Games

An editor, Zenoknuckle (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log), recently popped up trying to add POV-style info about the this game company supposedly banning its userbase, etc, using bad sourcing (youtube videos), and appealing to popular opinion as a reliable source for community outrage, etc. Part of the stuff they added was well-sourced, but they've started deleting this well-sourced info as well in anger after being told that some of their additions were in violation of WP:RS, WP:SPS and WP:VG/S. It doesn't seem like I'm getting through to them on their talk page, either. Eik Corell (talk) 23:58, 12 September 2016 (UTC)

User:Zenoknuckle? RunnyAmiga ※ talk 00:01, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

Indeed, corrected it. Eik Corell (talk) 00:04, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

Better to just fix it from one of the diffs, which I did. Wastes less time. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 00:02, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

Wasn't sure if that counted as a re-factoring no-no. Also: why has this person not been warned about 3RR, which they're extremely in violation of? RunnyAmiga ※ talk 00:06, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

• I'm in the middle of giving him a warning on his talk page. I prefer to go that route since he is new. Explain a few things, including how he will be blocked if he continues. No one has warned him on his talk page or explained any of this outside of a summary. And to answer your question: refactoring is changing someone's text to give a different meaning. Fixing something like a very obvious technical error is acceptable. Correcting their general spelling or grammar, no, just technical things. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 00:12, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

  @Dennis Brown: Got it. Thank you. It's also worth pointing out that this editor hasn't been here in several hours so maybe this whole thread should be moved to a more appropriate locale. Is this really an ANI issue? RunnyAmiga ※ talk 00:16, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

Its fine at ANI, we aren't slavish to any format or hard standard. The goal isn't to block him, its to get him to stop, and now he has enough warning that it is up to him. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 00:30, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

Request for information about non-notable person indirectly involved with crime

We recently had a request at the Humanities Ref Desk about the Westroads Mall shooting. Bizarrely enough, the user requested information about the shooter's stepmother's ethnicity. When I checked the article (such things always seem off to me) I found a supposed stepmother and weapon had been named, but there was no such information given in the cited reference. Indeed, authorities had refused to provide it when asked. I suggest this sort of behavior is questionable in the least, and I have notified an admin who treated the question as in good faith, as well as removed the name and weapon which were not noted in the source. I think this needs oversight and perhaps a longterm freeze of the article, given its age.

See:

Westroads Mall shooting

My edit removing the name of a party entirely unrelated to the incident, and whose identity and the facts regarding whom have no support diff

My notification to an admin who probably has a day job diff, and

My diff notification of the user probing for information which seems to violate BLP and VICTIM

— Preceding unsigned comment added by Medeis (talk • contribs) 05:24, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

• You dropped an ANI notice [126] on someone who asked an innocent question at the Help Desk, mistaking it for the Ref Desk [127]? EEng 05:44, 13 September 2016 (UTC)
• I have a feeling this could WP:BOOMERANG, it would seem the user asking the question is simply trying to expand the content of the article by bringing in more updated content and sources. RegistryKey^(RegEdit) 05:57, 13 September 2016 (UTC)
• Unless the person who asked the question also added the blp material this report borsers on NPA due to the casting of aspersions and assumption of bad faith. Ill chalk this up to overreaction and wont call for a boomerang for the time being. Expansion since returning home; Your report may have been made with good intentions, I am not questioning this right now, but, you've reported an entirely innocent user to one of the most notorious noticeboard on Wikipedia. I regularly see editors leave Wikipedia because of this page. Hence why I responded more tersely. Not particularly useful since it can boomerang and push the other editor away as well. Now, considering your reporting notification to LLcentury; BLP isssues reported to administrators inappropriate title since most of us here are non-admins and more importantly it reads like a threat. I recommend you personalize the message to the editor so that you don't come across menacingly. This is not always necessary, but, you claim not to be reporting the editor themselves, so, you should make that clear. For example; Hey there, I've put up a notice on the administrator's noticeboard regarding the BLP material on article such and such. The material is a clear BLP vio and I think admins need to take a look at it including possibly revdeling the unsourced and possibly litigious material. Or something along those lines. Note this report itself is not for AN/I, but, BLP/N. Mr rnddude (talk) 06:32, 13 September 2016 (UTC)
• In all seriousness I think we need some kind of system by which any new thread at ANI has to have a separate, uninvolved person open it. Way, WAY too many threads are completely wrongheaded, or overreactions to minor stuff, or the wrong noticeboard, or... Requiring people to go to a third party, who would then write up the complaint, would help eliminate these, and also get us fewer walls of text and rambling, incoherent OPs on complaints which are in fact valid. EEng 07:05, 13 September 2016 (UTC)
• My main issue is with outing the relative, not with the person who asked the question, although it still seems quite off to be asking this question about the ethnicity of a person's indirect relative by marriage, years before he committed a crime that had nothing to do with her. Why was her "name" given without a source, as well as how she was supposedly attacked? Can a single one of my critics above give a source for that name or the weapon, when the source itself says police refused to comment? Where in the world would we post that Ladybird Johnson was attacked with an AIDS infected syringe without a source? If this complaint belongs elsewhere, let me know; that is give me them same assumption of good faith as you are with this user. But otherwise I simply expect Admins to protect BLP and VICTIM by being aware of what's going on, and not to threaten those who point out that a BLP claim has been made without any support whatsoever. μηδείς (talk) 07:34, 13 September 2016 (UTC)
• I don't really see where this is an ANI problem. Here's what I think you're saying happened here:

Random user asks for information on a person linked to the shooter. You notice that this person is only superficially linked to said crime and questioned whether or not her name (or any other personal details other than being his stepmother) warrants inclusion in the article. You also notice that the source in the article doesn't give the name. You then open up an ANI post.

This is a BLP issue, not an ANI issue. It would only be an ANI issue if the IP was being disruptive and vandalizing the page, doing something like trying to add the woman's personal contact information or making over the top defamatory claims. You'd have to show where the question was obviously malicious, which it seems is not the case. Odds are this was just an idle question or probably something for a school assignment. Whether or not the woman's name warrants inclusion is something to bring to WP:BLP/N, not ANI, and since you've already removed or altered the information in the article, it's kind of a moot point. I'd recommend making a quick note to the article's talk page and just move on at this point. This isn't something to bring to ANI and the reason why some of the others have mentioned a boomerang is that we're concerned that you might have posted an ANI message on someone's talk page for something that really doesn't belong on ANI. This could result in the IP user never returning to Wikipedia because their question (which we have to assume was asked in all innocence) was met with someone taking it to one of the more major notice boards, which can be very frightening and off putting to someone completely unfamiliar with Wikipedia because the impression would be that they did something wrong, when really your question here has nothing to do with them. Tokyogirl79 (｡◕‿◕｡) 08:01, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

• As a non-notable relation her name would under almost all circumstances would be removed as a BLP issue. Only in death does duty end (talk) 08:03, 13 September 2016 (UTC)
• A few clarifications: I first came across this issue when a user who I am not saying acted in bad faith or should be sanction or did anything at all at our article asked what seemed like an odd question, the ethnicity of a person who had nothing to do with the crime involved and apparently no connection with the killer for five years prior to the crime. So I checked out the article, and this person who did exist according to minor local coverage was not named, nor the mention in which she had be victimized by the killer 5 years early been made public, yet the unverifiable information was published in our article, a name and a weapon that were not verified and which the police did not give to the press. So I removed that material under the rationales of BLP and VICTIM and prior precedents such as Miami Zombie. The article remains, as of this moment, clean of this information.

My secondary concern was, should we be discussing such information at the ref desks, due to BLP and VICTIM concerns (a request asking if this private person were black or Jewish, e.g., would not be entertained) and whether the Humanities ref desk question should be deleted or hatted. My first instinct was to go to AN, not here, but the AN instructions say only to bring up matters which affect all editors as such; otherwise go to ANI. So I notified User:Jayron32 of my concern, since he had already commented, came here, and notified all peoples involved. At this point I think the matter should simply be hatted, which I will do, assuming no one objects, and in the future will take the like to BLP. μηδείς (talk) 18:27, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

Just responding because I was pinged. First, I did not answer any question about the specific individual, just directed the OP to articles and information about citizenship law in the U.S. in general. Second, Medeis, I don't think anyone is telling you that your concerns are invalid. On the contrary, your concerns are clearly in good faith and everyone is telling you that they are, and that the concerns should be addressed. Third, that being said, what everyone is also telling you is that this venue is not the appropriate venue for dealing with concerns of this nature. ANI is only a court of last resort, when behavioral issues have gotten to the level where no other means has yet worked to solve the problem. If you would like to see this issue resolved, these are the prescribed steps:

1. WP:BOLD: remove the problematic information, and leave an explanatory note on the talk page telling everyone why you did so. If the OP doesn't object, never returns to undo you, or engages in discussion and eventually comes to understand the problem, you never have to go any further than this.
2. Ask for outside help in the form of an RFC or an appropriate noticeboard: If the OP objects, reverts your removal, or the discussion at the talk page reaches an impasse, you can get outside help from in the form of an RFC, or by asking for help from a noticeboard such as WP:BLPN or WP:RSN or the like.
3. Ask for specific dispute resolution in the form of a request to resolve the dispute at WP:3O or WP:DRN.
4. If, and only if, the user in question is disruptive, edit wars, stonewalls, plays WP:IDHT games, becomes incivil, refuses to abide by established consensus, or anything like that, THEN it would be appropriate to come here.

The objection people have, Medeis, to this thread is that you jumped straight to the last step, without ever attempting any intevening steps, and also, without any evidence that a user was acting in bad faith or deliberately flaunting behavioral norms. Indeed, near as I can tell, we never made it past step 1. You found a problem. You fixed it. Nothing happened after that. You can't very well ask for sanctions against a user who hasn't even objected to your correction! This process takes time, and the steps should NEVER be: 1) I found a problem 2) I go to ANI to get someone blocked. --Jayron32 19:44, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

IP claiming to be an attorney, removing passages from article talk page

24.123.224.210 (talk · contribs) is claiming to be an attorney, and has removed some discussion from an article talk page as 'libel.' May require more eyes. Thanks, 2601:188:1:AEA0:65F5:930C:B0B2:CD63 (talk) 13:59, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

• This appears to have been going on for several days, with the involvement of several IPs. May be time to protect the talk page. 2601:188:1:AEA0:65F5:930C:B0B2:CD63 (talk) 14:14, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

Sections merged. -- zzuuzz ^(talk) 14:15, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

IP claiming to represent an attorney while removing talk page content.

Edit: 13:53, 13 September 2016‎ 24.123.224.210 "Libeleous names removal: Attorney for Team Downey Production Company

Not a legal threat exactly, but clearly intended to intimidate against reversal of blanking, which still goes against the intent of WP:NLT. I didn't see a BLP issue, but bringing it here for discussion. Similar blanking have been done in the past, but reverted by multiple editors to maintain talk page history. Perhaps a courtesy archiving would help here? --- Barek (talk • contribs) - 14:08, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

I obviously don't know if it's libel or not, but I've pointed out WP:LIBEL to them. They seem to be removing information from the talk page about someone named Garner Ted Aukerman. 331dot (talk) 14:10, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

Perhaps this thread can be merged with the one I opened directly above? 2601:188:1:AEA0:65F5:930C:B0B2:CD63 (talk) 14:12, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

Yes, I didn't see that one, sorry - feel free to delete mine as a duplicate, or to merge --- Barek (talk • contribs) - 14:14, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

I have blocked them for 31 hours as they have continued the removals. If they are an attorney they know how to discuss things and not just continue to do what they are doing. -- GB fan 14:19, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

This is not the first time someone has tried to remove all mentions of Aukerman from the talk page: [128], [129]. clpo13_(talk) 15:42, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

• Can I note the irony that someone is trying to remove the discussion of a person about removing the person from the article. --Jayron32 17:58, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

Oh, that's a different person. The article contains mention of Garner Ted Armstrong, while the removal from the talk page is of Garner Ted Aukerman.

Although, there's still plenty of irony to go around. The mentions in the talk page all originated from a named account that had claimed to be Auckerman, as well as IPs who wanted to add him to the article sourced to IMDb. It was only later that an IP claiming to represent the producers began to claim they were asked to remove all mention of him. --- Barek (talk • contribs) - 18:10, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

Try to be mindful of those with different needs from yours. For example, editors suffering from anemia may or may not agree with you that there's sufficient irony here. Please be more sensitive in the future. EEng 21:08, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

• Most attorneys know how to spell libelous. Wasn't Libeleous the Roman emperor after Tiberius, or Spumonius?Or was it Androgynous? I can never remember. EEng 20:58, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

And "liblel" is, of course, Internet slang for "Lying in Bed, Laughing Extra Loud." --Nat Gertler (talk) 21:27, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

I'm afraid that would be Caligula. No "Libeleous" is internet-ese for Imma sue ya! MjolnirPants Tell me all about it. 22:04, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

"Basket of deplorables" is now an article. WTF??

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• Basket of deplorables (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)

An utterly transparent misuse of Wikipedia. I have started an AfD -- but I think more action is needed so that editors get the message this sort of thing is not acceptable here. Nomoskedasticity (talk) 15:35, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

The author describes it as a notable U.S. political incident. That's because, actually, Watergate never happened Facepalm _Muffled ^Pocketed 15:57, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

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Admin attention requested at the Fringe Theory Noticeboard

The specific thread is Crash Override Network. There's a lot of aspersions flying around, and an IP editor who seems to be more intent on venting than civilly discussing anything. MjolnirPants Tell me all about it. 19:07, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

There's an IP user edit warring personal attacks in at this point, some attention would really be appreciated.

24.84.155.22 (talk • contribs • deleted contribs • blacklist hits • AbuseLog • what links to user page • COIBot • Spamcheck • count • block log • x-wiki • Edit filter search • WHOIS • RDNS • tracert • robtex.com • StopForumSpam • Google • AboutUs • Project HoneyPot)

• [130]
• [131]
• [132]

MjolnirPants Tell me all about it. 20:59, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

• Commment I saw this thing snowballing yesterday. A WP:SPA IP editor popping up to harangue those calling for civility and reliable sources and immediately calling "puppets" upon arrival screams "puppet" itself, but that's kind of irrelevant. The issue at hand seems to be WP:FALSEBALANCE and 155.22 is just attempting to muddy the waters. Xe should probably be page/topic banned until this is settled by editors who are actually seeking consensus and NPOV. Jergling (talk) 16:44, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

IP SPI on Drmies

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172.250.101.49 (talk⁺ · tag · contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RBLs · proxy check · block user · block log · cross-wiki contribs · CheckUser (log))

See Special:Permalink/739257803. I can't tell if the IP is serious about an SPI on Drmies (it honestly looks like an edit dispute), and I don't think answering the edit request (moving from WT to WP) is the appropriate action, or what the appropriate cleanup would be. Can someone take a look? — Andy W. (talk · ctb) 19:17, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

• Ha, a nice opportunity for another admin to look into this IP's edits. Drmies (talk) 19:19, 13 September 2016 (UTC)
  • Appropriate cleanup? Blocking the IP for disruption would be a start (And likely block-evasion). RickinBaltimore (talk) 19:19, 13 September 2016 (UTC)
    • Their argument for Pope is so idiotic; I've not seen it before. Drmies (talk) 19:24, 13 September 2016 (UTC)
• I've declined the edit request but will leave it to a SPI clerk or CU to decide whether or not to delete the page. --NeilN ^{talk to me} 19:28, 13 September 2016 (UTC)
• Comment I took a look at this out of morbid curiosity, and it looks like the IP is actually trying to resolve a content dispute by way of an SPI. I don't think that's something a blocked editor would do, I think we have a legitimate case of cluelessness. The IPs argument at the article talk page really is so bad, it actually made me laugh. MjolnirPants Tell me all about it. 20:18, 13 September 2016 (UTC)
  • User:MjolnirPants, I agree that this is not the kind of thing a returning editor does and I'm glad you noticed it too. The argument is terrible, of course, and a little daylight won't hurt. NeilN, your check is in the mail. Drmies (talk) 02:07, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

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Someone please block

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[133] --NeilN ^{talk to me} 19:52, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

Thanks Barek --NeilN ^{talk to me} 19:56, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

I saw the ANI notice when I notified the user of their block (31 hours). Also, the article is now semi-protected for 6 months. --- Barek (talk • contribs) - 19:57, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

(edit conflict) Barek had blocked for 31 hours, but I reset the block to six months (sorry Barek!). The IP is being used solely for disruption and the attacks are vile. If the editor had an account I would have indef'ed, but instead chose six months as it is about the duration the IP has been used abusively.--Jezebel's Ponyo^{bons mots} 19:59, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

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José Roel Lungay

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I'm not entirely sure what the situation is here, but this article has about 15,000 bytes of info that has been repeatedly removed from the article by Raabbustamante (talk · contribs) who insists that this article is CSD-A7 eligible (see recent history). I declined deletion last night/early this morning citing a failed attempt at deletion through the afd process, which ended when Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/José Roel Lungay was closed as no consensus following a dual relisting with no participation. Given the sudden interest in CSD following the failed afd, and in particular the mass removal of information in an apparent attempt to make this a csd-eligible article, I suspect this is a case of disruptive editing, and am seeking input from other admins on the matter. Am I missing something here, or is this a thinly veiled attempt to delete an article here by any means necessary? TomStar81 (Talk) 20:20, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

Huh. I forgot I put that up for AFD. Had I remembered, and saw the article was kept, I would have probably posted to WP:BLPN asking for help with a major trim. --NeilN ^{talk to me} 20:33, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

That should have been closed as delete. It's an unsourced BLP because none of the actual "sources" mention the person at all, as far as I can see. Can one PROD an article after it's been through AfD? Black Kite (talk) 20:56, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

I was actually going to decline the prod for the sake of getting a discussion going. Then I looked at the references. Then I looked at the external links... I now think this is a well-placed prod. I'll watch the page and AfD it again, if someone else declines. MjolnirPants Tell me all about it. 21:03, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

Blanking an article that has content that makes A7 patently inapplicable and then tagging it under A7 is pretty clearly gaming the system (exacerbated here by the user reverting a prior decline of the A7 and the return of the article content, to shop for someone else to assess it). I have issued a warning, though I have noted that careful removal of good-faith-challenged, unsourced content under WP:BURDEN is still on the table, but takes quite a different path than wholesale blanking.--Fuhghettaboutit (talk) 22:44, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

• After a hunt around for any sourcing on this person, I have sent it back to AfD. Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/José Roel Lungay (2nd nomination). Black Kite (talk) 23:08, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

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Inappropriate editing, advocacy, and control of philo articles, by Flyer22 Reborn

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Moved from WP:AN § Inappropriate editing, advocacy, and control of philo articles, by Flyer22 Reborn

 – clpo13_(talk) 22:48, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

I believe this is the proper place. There's an issue with a number of philosophy pages by an editor, Flyer22 Reborn. The editor, who admits not being a philosopher and not having training in the field, has 'claimed' a number of philosophy articles. The editor, very directly, dictates what can and not not be in an article, even when demonstrating a fairly poor, and bias, view regarding much within the field of social philosophy. This isn't meant as any sort of insult, but on numerous instances, as noted, students have illustrated some truly abysmal scholarship. The latest example being an article on sexual objectification that, literally, details the issue as a disjunct between feminists and social conservatives. Such an approach would never be an acceptable, for any encyclopedia. This is one example of a number of social philosophy articles were some editors, such as Flyer22 Reborn, simply refuse to allow a scholarly approach, demanding its bias. It's really quite ironic how many times quotations from the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy are directly contradicted in social philosophy articles on wikipedia. Editors who are clearly advocating for certain ideologies, such as Flyer22 Reborn, really need to be hemmed in honestly. Maxxx12345 (talk) 21:27, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

There is clearly more in heaven and earth, Horatio... Than your willingness to ignore When you start a discussion about an editor, you must notify them on their user talk page. Know what we mean by that....? Cheers, _Muffled ^Pocketed 22:30, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

Maxxx12345 you did not inform Flyer22 Reborn of this thread as instructed by the big orange box above the editing field. I have done so. You should be aware that all articles on WikiP can be edited by anyone - not just "philosophers". You have provided no examples to back up your assertions. This should either be closed or moved to ANI. MarnetteD|Talk 22:24, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

I have moved the discussion to ANI. The box at the top of WP:AN says: If you are seeking administrator intervention for a specific issue or dispute, you should post it at the Administrators' noticeboard for incidents (ANI) instead. clpo13_(talk) 22:51, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

Probably a quick close unless Maxxx12345 provides some solid diffs that show Flyer22 has been editing disruptively. --NeilN ^{talk to me} 22:53, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

This report looks about as valid as this one. Maxxx12345, I'd really like to see some diffs for your assertions. --NeilN ^{talk to me} 23:08, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

There is an article "Sexual objectification". Flyer22 has (at least recently) made one edit to it (actually a series of three edits in a row), here, in April of 2016. The effect was to remove a section "Body Image and the NFL Draft" (which TBH looks like pretty dubious false-equivalence men's-rights material to me, but I haven't studied the matter). Maxxx12345's engagement on the talk page is not broad and seems to be of the the nature of "I have read up on Kant, and Kant used the term "sexual objectification" and therefore the article "sexual objectification" should be about the term as used by Kant, period" which I would think is highly debatable. But at any rate that is what talk pages are for. If Maxxx12345 is right he ought to be able to persuade. Not having done so (or tried really) not sure what Maxxx12345 expects to be done here. Do you want us to block Flyer22 Reborn or warn her or something? I'm not seeing a case here for that... Herostratus (talk) 23:47, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

• I almost closed this for not providing any evidence of policy violation. I assume another admin will if Max isn't forthcoming with an actual cause of action. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 23:59, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

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User:Jytdog removing talk pages comments based on their opinion

A IP address added a comment to the talk page for Zika fever with an edit summary of "not about improving this article." [[134]]. This is extremely inappropriate and inexcusable for a veteran editor. — Preceding unsigned comment added by EditorDownUnder (talk • contribs) 01:38, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

False positive? The IP did have a history of unconstructive edits; however, the comment made by the IP today was about the status of the article. It also looks like it was probably a class assignment made by an editor who hadn't logged in. Nonetheless, I'd give Jytdog the benefit of the doubt. (And I do agree with the editor who restored the comment.) —C.Fred (talk) 01:56, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

EditorDownUnder, whatever your beef with Jytdog is, [135] making frivolous reports to ANI is not acceptable. --NeilN ^{talk to me} 02:23, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

Editordownunder seems to have a vendetta against jyt [136]74.70.146.1 (talk) 02:44, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

Interaction Ban for EditorDownUnder

EditorDownUnder (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)

This AN/I request seems to be a boomerang in my opinion. EditorDownUnder appears to be harassing Jytdog since May 7, 2016. The diffs show that EditorDownUnder is unable to work with Jytdog in a manner that will improve the encyclopedia. Many of the diffs show the comments are not constructive in resolving any type of dispute with the content. Eight diffs in this section plus this AN/I, I would suggest an indefinite interaction ban on EditorDownUnder to prevent further harassment of Jytdog.

More diffs:

• 1
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• 7

That's my thoughts on this AN/I anyway. -- Dane2007 ^talk 20:19, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

• Support. Would also support regular ban if EDU refuses to abide by I-ban.74.70.146.1 (talk) 20:31, 14 September 2016 (UTC)
• Block as WP:NOTHERE, otherwise IBAN with zero tolerance. EDU is a waste of bandwidth. Guy (Help!) 23:20, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

Bad and agressive attitude

The user Spshu (talk · contribs) have an intransigent and bad attitude on the Talk:List of films based on Marvel Comics and revert my good faith and procedent edit on [137].OscarFercho (talk) 03:02, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

Hmm. You revert without comment,[138] say nothing to the user whatsoever, file this AN/I, then fail to notify them of it (which I have done for you). Do you think that maybe, I don't know, even attempting to discuss the issue with the user could have been a better move than coming here? Doc talk 08:04, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

Barring the filer's complaint, I don't think Spshu has the competence required to participate constructively as an editor. He has refused to own up to the fact that he violated WP:TPO by editing another user's discussion comment, has made incendiary remarks about other editors, has made grammar and spelling errors in articles, and has a lengthy block log for edit warring (7 counts of it, to be exact). Also, his unblock requests reek of WP:NOTTHEM. Make of all that what you will. ElectricBurst^{(Electron firings)}_(Zaps) 08:48, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

I noticed the block log when digging. Certainly not ideal editing behavior. Perhaps they will respond here... Doc talk 08:54, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

Yes, thank you. My edits its of good faith, and I no need to notify to all contributors of that article, a list in fact, cause its updates of current info, in this order, my edit you cite wasn't a revert, was a new edit.OscarFercho (talk) 13:35, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

Good faith edits can be reversed. That isn't a defense to have it how OscarFercho, or any other editor wants it. General speaking, in an argument on WP, both sides can make good faith edits and still make opposing edits. That is why there are talk pages. OscarFercho, you should not talk about an "intransigent and bad attitude" that is exactly your attitude. And you can not even seem to grasp the issue. The general issue, of making minor edits that don't really improve anything, was already under discussion although directly about the reception info (now expanded to included box office receipts). Then you go ahead and make a similar edit then complaint that you were reversed, deciding that I am "intransigent" then declaring me hostile because I am discussion the issue? I have been civil but frustrated do to the lack of understanding and basically OWN like statements made there (which I have ignore for civility's sake) like he is the final authority. I requested that he not remove reliable sources for primary sources, OscarFercho, said OK then when reverse the edit with out retain the reliable source. I am not going to change my mind just because you for a flimsy reason, argue or don't. Just because you don't understand my reason doesn't make my reason wrong.

Electricburst1996, I would not talk if I were you about competence. From the first time we met in a BRD, you repeatedly don't or hardly discussion any issue and run to 3RR (for example: [139]). We were rejected for 3O do to your refusal to discuss that first issue. Yet, you were reverting my own edits to my talk page and fail to know that the other editor in changing his edit made it look like I incorrectly quote him (I could be considered incivil under WP:IUC: 2. Other uncivil behaviours (e)). I did what it recommends. So, you have done worst in attempt to force me to agree that I did some wrong for the other editor failing to WP:REDACT and Electricburst1996 being bureaucratic, which WP is not suppose to be.

Spelling and grammar? Really, Electricburst1996? Editors have different strengths.

So I am not allow to point out error in the administrator's judgement? One of the "NOTTHEM" was in regards to a administrator who choose to not give me any chance to defend myself before the block is issued, so defending myself is NOTTHEM? I dare Eburst not to defend himself at a noticeboard when he is called to task. Electricburst1996 decided that he did not like the punishment which Wikipedia:Administrators'_noticeboard/IncidentArchive908#BOOMERANG_for_User:Electricburst1996 boomeranged against him. He has hounded me since over the six blocks and now the seven he planned. (So asking editors to show up on talk pages is wrong (that is BRD)? While they get away with another edit to game the system? In one case, an administrator who know a sock was involve allowed himself to be a meatpuppet of sock in choosing to block me in edit war with another sock.) He even seemed to have planned to get me and himself block for an edit war hoping for an indefinite block as I when out of my way to edit in area we both don't edit in. warned at that block by the administrator: "I don't like the pattern of removal of comments at WP:AIV by Electricburst1996." So you edit warred and TPO all in one at AIV. Spshu (talk) 19:34, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

That boomerang was thrown by Cebr1979, who was/is a problematic editor. See Wikipedia:Long-term abuse/Cebr1979. ElectricBurst^{(Electron firings)}_(Zaps) 19:54, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

Others joined in, Electricburst1996, and said the boomerang was correctly thrown. You have become a problematic editor: not discussion disagreement and running to the noticeboards first (do you want a list?), purposely getting a block & getting some one else blocked, taking editors to noticeboards because you did not think the block wasn't long enough. cong

I am no more problematic in the short term than you've been in the long term. ElectricBurst^{(Electron firings)}_(Zaps) 21:11, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

Spshu, you've been around since 2006, which is long enough to the point where you should fully understand Wikipedia policy. From WP:TPO: "Striking text constitutes a change in meaning, and should only be done by the user who wrote it or someone acting at their explicit request." ElectricBurst^{(Electron firings)}_(Zaps) 20:05, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

Again that is WP:NOTBUREAUCRACY since in effect they did the same to me in making that edit, which don't seem to care. Spshu (talk) 21:00, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

Signal boost

If possible, I'd like u|John from Idegon, u|Swarm, u|KrakatoaKatie, u|Huon, u|Bearcat, and u|Darkwind to weigh in on all this. ElectricBurst^{(Electron firings)}_(Zaps) 20:26, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

Sorry but you may not recruit other that may be biased to such a discussion per WP:Votestacking. Spshu (talk) 21:00, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

As I do not edit in the subject area of either comics or movies and have had no significant interactions (to the best of my knowledge) with any editors involved here, the mere act of pinging me (canvasing me?) here is in itself disruptive editing. Just sayin'. And with that I'm out. Please don't do that again. I pick the fish I fry, and my pans are full. John from Idegon (talk) 21:28, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

On top the pinging, Electricburst1996 choose to remove the above subsection indicating he was wrong to do so, which John did not recommmend. This is also one of the tactics that brought down the boomerang, as he removed talk page discussion I started in which I was not allowed to defend myself thus a block. Spshu (talk) 23:16, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

I'm also not clear on why I was pinged, as I've had no involvement with the dispute here — and while I've sparred with Spshu on a couple of recent AFDs (the only reason I can see why my participation might have been invoked), it hardly approached the level that would have caused me to have any sort of longterm interest in reviewing their longterm edit patterns. So I have nothing to say and no idea why anybody thought I would. Bearcat (talk) 03:47, 15 September 2016 (UTC)

@Doc9871: Here's the attitude that I said.OscarFercho (talk) 01:57, 15 September 2016 (UTC)

What showing that Electricburst1996 improperly removed post is bad attitude. Or not rolling over for you or Electricburst1996? I don't think your going to change my attitude that I am here to build an encyclopedia. Spshu (talk) 02:32, 15 September 2016 (UTC)

"Proxies"

The following discussion is closed. Please do not modify it. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

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AManWithNoPlan (talk · contribs) is making his way through all kinds of articles seeking out and removing what he calls "proxies." Now I can't get into the sources for articles that I posted, nor can anybody else who has a Los Angeles Public Library card (thousands of people). Can we put a stop to this until there is a WP:Consensus on what should be done here? Shouldn't he be adding information rather than subtracting it? Thank you. BeenAroundAWhile (talk) 05:03, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

He's not subtracting information - he's changing links that guide you to a site through a web proxy to links that take you to the same exact site directly. Someguy1221 (talk) 05:55, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

Looking a bit more closely, this is actually a huge improvement. As the link stood before, only people with LAPL cards could access that website. The modified URL, however, can be accessed by anyone whose library has a Proquest subscription, provided they know how to log in. If your LAPL card let you access that info before, it still does, you just have to figure out how to use the library's proxy service or log into proquest with your info. Someguy1221 (talk) 06:05, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

He's doing the Lord's work. - NQ (talk) 12:21, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

The discussion above is closed. Please do not modify it. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

Possible legal threat

The following discussion is closed. Please do not modify it. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

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FYI: Aruwaz had removed content from a closed AfD that resulted in the deletion of numerous articles in November 2015. The editor in question, had removed said content on the basis that it is a "privacy issue" and that we ought not to "defame a person or organisation like this". They also cite an Indian proposed law (perhaps Act now), "India: The Privacy (Protection) Bill, 2013" as a reason to remove such information.

I had reverted those removals, as one can't remove/or edit content from a closed AfD. I had also taken this to Widr. Since then, Aruwaz has suggested using US Federal Law (The Privacy Act of 1974) as means of removing the content.

However, Aruwaz has just made the following comment, which I interpret as a possible legal threat: "MelbourneStar, Widr - Should i send a legal notice to Wikipedia India?? "Office: No. 194, 2nd 'C' Cross, Domlur 2nd Stage, Bangalore 560 071, India"". Any suggestions on how we ought to move forward? Kind regards, —MelbourneStar☆^talk 12:00, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

Dear MelbourneStar : By the way you are threatening me. I am talking about legal rights and i know my rights very well.--Aruwaz (talk) 12:11, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

Hence legal threat, if I am not mistaken. Callmemirela 🍁 {Talk} ♑ 12:13, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

I'm not sure if you're aware we have WP:CBLANK. Generally when someone complains about libel or privacy issues at AfD it's worth looking closely and perhaps trying to get some details of the complaint. -- zzuuzz ^(talk) 12:24, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

• I just took the easiest solution. I blanked it and use the template we have for that purpose. -- GB fan 12:26, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

You can't say you don't learn something every day. But with that said — the AfD clearly says in red bold writing "Please do not modify it", and later "No further edits should be made to this page" — why would we have that, if anybody could claim libel or privacy issues and remove content, which, in itself is modifying the page? —MelbourneStar☆^talk 12:36, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

Generally we make no edits to a closed AFD. There are times when we do make them though, especially when someone is saying it violates their privacy. Everything is in the history, just not visible. Also, ignore all rules comes to mind. -- GB fan 12:40, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

You're going to place Wikipolicy ahead of law? that's not going to fly. If there is something in the AfD that needs to be removed, the template requesting that no further edits be made will take second place. Those templates are to deter unnecessary edits being made post close not to prevent any editing whatsoever. Mr rnddude (talk) 12:42, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

Yep, it's my fault that I see removal of content in a closed AfD that specifically says not to alter the page – and revert the editor. Right, that flies well with me, and ought to fly well with everyone. Because our rules are so consistent. Gosh, I never realise how thankless editing really is on Wikipedia, until moments like these. —MelbourneStar☆^talk 12:47, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

Alright, possibly tendentious way to say it so I offer my apologies. I mean to say, while it is preferred that closed discussions are not amended in some cases it may be necessary. The editor pointed to legal requirements to remove the information, you brought it here under the pretense that it may be a legal threat which is fine. It's been looked at and the material removed. Better safe than sorry. Mr rnddude (talk) 12:57, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

What am I missing here? Why would the names of the deleted articles be a privacy issue? I could understand if comments such as COI, not notable, etc were removed, but the names of the articles? Yes, one of them was the name of a BLP, but removing it from the body of the AfD text seems pointless since it's in the AfD title. Doug Weller talk 13:21, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

(ec) I *think* they are going for a general privacy infraction under US law. Which in some cases (and by no means do I think this is one) would cover basic personal info like names. Its a bonkers argument given the laws concerned. Only in death does duty end (talk) 13:28, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

(edit conflict) Anyone can seemingly complain about privacy/libel and have whatever page they wish to be blanked. We seem to have a hole in our policies, or some inconsistency in that AfD instruction which says not to remove content once it's been closed.

Glad, that in trying to do the right thing, I get called out for doing the wrong thing. I've apologised to the editor in question for my error in judgement, it's certainly not their fault. But I'm glad we all recognise how flawless and perfect our system is, that when someone removes content from a closed discussion despite instructions not to, the person reverting them gets the slap on the wrist. Very reasonable, indeed.

I've nothing more to add. This has been a waste of everybody's time; had I not thought that I was doing the right thing in reverting as pursuant to the AfD instructions, and reporting this to defend the project: we wouldn't be here. So pardon me if I sound sour, but make no mistake: it's because I am. —MelbourneStar☆^talk 13:25, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

Ehhh, the only person whom I can imagine you being sour to right now for anything that has been said is me. Everyone else has been beyond civil and myself, well I don't think I was been uncivil - anybody feel free to point out if I'm wrong here. I don't think anybody has blamed you for any wrongdoing, merely taken actions that seemed appropriate to the situation. Mr rnddude (talk) 13:56, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

I thought there was an undue attention towards my reverting, and whilst I didn't expect a medal and a gold star, I was hoping people would understand and agree to why I did what I did. I'm not sour at you, I'm sour at this situation that whilst could have been avoided by me – it could have been avoided elsewhere, had our policies and guidelines been a bit more specific. —MelbourneStar☆^talk 14:16, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

Thanks for the response. For possibly useful future reference, there are many templates on Wikipedia and some of them need to be taken with a grain of salt. The don't edit once the discussion is closed is perfectly fine for mundane things, but, I myself have opened up closed discussions to fix something or strike something (in my comments, not anybody elses) as needed. Our policies and guidelines are not perfect, hell there was a ten foot kerfuffle about a month ago on the WP:IAR talk page that it was the worst policy on Wikipedia. Yet it's held in the highest position of being a pillar upon which Wikipedia stands. Ah well, nothing you can do about it now besides carry on with life. It's not worth beating yourself up over, you did what you thought was right, others did what they thought was right. Mr rnddude (talk) 14:41, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

• I don't see anything in that AFD that warrants removal or blanking, via our WP:BLP policy. It is pretty mundane. Being somewhat familiar with the law, I don't see how the Privacy Act applies either, since that limits the actions of the US government only, not individuals or corporations like Wikimedia, Inc. I won't fight to unblank it, of course, but there is no basis in policy or law that I can see that would require it. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 14:08, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

Dennis, I didn't see anything that required blanking either. I looked for a way to defuse the situation without anyone being blocked our pages getting protected and this seemed to be the easiest. As you know all the information is there and available to anyone who is interested in the discussion and we satisfy the concerns of the complaining editor. -- GB fan 14:23, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

I would suggest that the person complaining about privacy be referred to WP:OTRS and that we allow any deletion needed to occur by office action. Likely none, but who knows?--Wehwalt (talk) 14:31, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

@GB fan: I appreciate what you were trying to do, but I'm with Dennis and Wehwalt. Unblank it and refer them to OTRS. Doug Weller talk 15:38, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

If you think it should be unblanked, go for it. -- GB fan 16:42, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

Ah, guys, there's a pretty straightforward explanation to this. Aruwaz is an obvious sockpuppet of indeffed Iaarzoo (talk · contribs). He tried to recreate the articles deleted at that AFD, and only after they were speedied under G4, did he suddenly care about his privacy and seek to have the AFD blanked. He's just sore. Anyway, I've blocked him as a sockpuppet. MyLucknow (talk · contribs) also tried to recreate some of these pages recently, but he doesn't appear to be a sock. Someguy1221 (talk) 16:07, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

Thanks for that. Given the socking and GB fan's agreement, I've unbalanced. Doug Weller talk 17:55, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

The discussion above is closed. Please do not modify it. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

Tigrayans

• Hi

Problem with user Otakrem after a long discussion lasting three months, after it was reported Wikipedia:Administrators' noticeboard/Incidents 1 after that there have been discussions with other users 1, ask the write lock for the user Otakrem on the page tigrayans

the problem is a war of senseless changes in section1 Notable Ethiopian Tigrayan people of which you complain of the sources that are authoritative sources, ask the page restore, of The Voidwalker 1 with Axumite kings, who has tried to mediate with the words Wikipedia: Accuracy disputes

and to warn Otakrem do not change more paragraph Notable Ethiopian Tigrayan people but to change it just proving the opposite

• the references are there, not to spoil the work of others

http://orvillejenkins.com/profiles/tigrinya.html

http://www.ikuska.com/Africa/Etnologia/Pueblos/tigrinya/index.htm

http://www.ethiopianorthodoxchurch.org/saint_yared.html

http://www.st-gebriel.org/Styared/gab_yared_music.htm

http://www.dacb.org/stories/ethiopia/kaleb2.html

http://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/ancient/periplus.asp

https://www.britishmuseum.org/pdf/KingdomOfAksum_StudentsWorksheets.pdf

http://worldcoincatalog.com/AC/C/Aksum/300-310CE-Aphilas/300-310CE-Aphilas.htm

http://www.dacb.org/stories/ethiopia/_ezana.html

https://books.google.it/books?id=YTGRcVLMg6MC&pg=PA157&lpg=PA157&dq=Ouazebas+axum&source=bl&ots=qd0ji6e1Es&sig=jRzAKemdzj_pFW4v-dVhBWckEi4&hl=it&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwim4dPpi7LNAhXGDBoKHYBoCTs4ChDoAQgqMAI#v=onepage&q=Ouazebas%20axum&f=false

Bibliography

Tellez, The Travels of the Jesuits in Ethiopia, 1710 (LaVergue: Kessinger, 2010), pp. 89F.

E. Bernard, AJ Drewes, and R. Schneider, Recueil des Inscriptions de l'Ethiopie périodes des pré-axoumite et axoumite. Volume I:. Les Inscriptions Paris: Diffusion de Boccard 1991, p. 247.

Siegbert Uhlig (ed.) (2016). Encyclopaedia Aethiopica: D-Ha, Volume 2 Eight Harrassowitz Verlag .. p. 211

S. C. Munro-Hay, Aksum: an African civilization Late Antiquity (Edinburgh University Press, 1991), p. 91.

letter to Antoine d'Abbadie, January 8, 1869 mentions a coin of this ruler. Sven Rubenson, Aethiopica Acta, vol 3: internal rivalries and external threats, from 1869 to 1879 (Addis Ababa: University Press, 2000), p. 3

See the article on ELLA Saham by Gianfranco Fiaccadori Aethiopica the Encyclopedia, vol. 2, Wiesbaden 2016--tell me Sennaitgebremariam (talk) 15:21, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

Accusations of plagiarism (directed at me)

The IP stated on my talk page that they would bring the issue to "Wikipedia admin" (I assume they meant ANI) requesting my block if I did not remove the plagiarism,[140], so I brought it here myself.

A week ago, a user claimed we had the dates wrong in the "Archived episodes" section of the article (originally showing 1972 to 1986, they said it should be 1972 to 1994); so I checked what was stated on the reference to the U.S. Library of Congress, and updated the article to use those dates (1978 to 1983). Initially on the talk page, an IP said "The dates are not revelant" and now wanted to drop their mention. Now another IP is claiming that my use of the dates in the article is plagiarism, on the article talk page I've directed the IPs to WP:CP.

This most recent dust-up traces back this edit (Apr 29th). I also semi-protected the article in May, and shortly after started a discussion at ANI about the disruption which resulted in some IP blocks (ANI archive), and that thread linked to more history on my article talkpage (my talk archive). I have been tempted to hand-out blocks to the IPs making continued false accusations and causing disruption at Talk:The World Tomorrow (radio and television), but would prefer to get additional admins involved. --- Barek (talk • contribs) - 16:54, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

I'm not sure how citing a reference for the dates of a TV program can be considered plagiarism. "I'm going to tell mommy on you!" sounds like a pretty shitty way to win a dispute, too... --Jayron32 17:42, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

Once you edited the content[141][142][143][144] you became WP:INVOLVED and should not have used the tools on the article.[145] --Guy Macon (talk) 20:09, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

Due to possible perception of improper use is why I have repeatedly brought issues at that article back to ANI, to review my actions or the actions of the IPs involved. This is the third or fourth time I've asked for review of the article and/or activity surrounding it just since the page protection was done. I fully acknowledge that, in hindsight, I should have requested that action at WP:RFPP. But, at the same time, given the long history of disruption over there, an uninvolved admin would have taken the same action. Also, minor technicality, but the first edit you linked from 2012 was extremely minor cleaning-up wording from another editors changes to the article. So, any potential impression of involvement would not apply prior to my edits earlier this year., --- Barek (talk • contribs) - 20:55, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

2004 link stricken from above comment. Good point. While WP:INVOLVED does say "In straightforward cases (e.g., blatant vandalism), the community has historically endorsed the obvious action of any administrator – even if involved – on the basis that any reasonable administrator would have probably come to the same conclusion", this edit[146] was not reverting blatant vandalism, and I don't believe that "any reasonable administrator would have probably come to the same conclusion". The fact that you made that edit and one minute later protected the page[147] certainly gives the appearance of using the tools to gain the upper hand in a content dispute. Your comment above ("I have been tempted to hand-out blocks to the IPs making continued false accusations") when the false accusations were made about you is also troubling from a WP:INVOLVED perspective --Guy Macon (talk) 21:17, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

As I said, in hindsight I acknowledge I should have submitted a request at WP:RFPP to avoid a perception of improper use. However, the labeling as "e.g." in the policy makes clear that blatant vandalism is just an example of a straightforward case, not the only type of straightforward case. That link you provided to my edit in the article should be viewed in combination with article and talk-page activity from Apr 21 through May 12th (as well as relevant user talk pages during that time). Given that history, I believe that any uninvolved admin would have made the same decision for page protection. Still, if you feel that my use of the tool requires greater scrutiny, I think it best if that be discussed as a separate thread (or secondary sub-thread to this one) - so as to keep each discussion focused. If the community does not agree with me after reviewing the related materials, I'll fully honor, respect, and abide by any consensus decision is reached. --- Barek (talk • contribs) - 22:47, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

No need for further action or a separate section. "in hindsight I acknowledge I should have submitted a request at WP:RFPP to avoid a perception of improper use." is good enough for me. I suggest that we drop this now and move on to my comment below -- we still have a disruptive IP to deal with. --Guy Macon (talk) 23:10, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

BTW, none of this changes the fact that the charge of plagiarism is laughable or that that the IP is being disruptive. I think an uninvolved admin should step in and do what is appropriate to stop further disruption. --Guy Macon (talk) 21:29, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

• This falls under "raw facts are not copyrightable", and yes Barek, I'm pretty sure this is the second ANI I've commented on where you've using the tools on an article you've edited. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 00:51, 15 September 2016 (UTC)

War in Donbass Timeline Issue

The current War in the Donbass timeline is completely flooded with the daily reports from the Ukrainian Anti-Terror Operation that are posted word for word on a daily basis, this makes the entire timelines useless as the important events happening there in Donbass are lost in a sea of fluff. 2A02:2F0B:B04F:FFFF:0:0:4F73:3947 (talk) 03:51, 15 September 2016 (UTC)

This is not an issue for ANI. If you want to help improve an article, you are free to be bold and edit the article yourself, or you can suggest changes on the article's talk page. Someguy1221 (talk) 04:00, 15 September 2016 (UTC)

I would do this, but the current timeline pages have been edited for months by some people that are simply dumping the Ukrainian Army reports on the page on a daily basis and undo any edit to change this. I do not wish to get into an edit war. 2A02:2F0B:B04F:FFFF:0:0:4F73:3947 (talk) 04:09, 15 September 2016 (UTC)