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A request for arbitration is the last step of dispute resolution for conduct disputes on Misplaced Pages. The Arbitration Committee considers requests to open new cases and review previous decisions. The entire process is governed by the arbitration policy. For information about requesting arbitration, and how cases are accepted and dealt with, please see guide to arbitration.

To request enforcement of previous Arbitration decisions or discretionary sanctions, please do not open a new Arbitration case. Instead, please submit your request to /Requests/Enforcement.

This page transcludes from /Case, /Clarification and Amendment, /Motions, and /Enforcement.

Please make your request in the appropriate section:

• Request a new arbitration case
• Request clarification or amendment of an existing case

  This includes requests to lift sanctions previously imposed

• Request enforcement of a remedy in an existing case
• Arbitrator motions

  Arbitrator-initiated motions, not specific to a current open request

• recent changes
• purge this page
• view or discuss this template

Currently, there are no requests for arbitration.

No cases have recently been closed (view all closed cases).

Current requests

Clarifications and other requests

• WP:RFAC
• WP:RCAM

Place requests related to amendments of prior cases, appeals, and clarifications on this page. If the case is ongoing, please use the relevant talk page. Requests for enforcement of past cases should be made at Arbitration enforcement. Requests to clarify general Arbitration matters should be made on the Talk page. To create a new request for arbitration, please go to Misplaced Pages:Requests for arbitration. Place new requests at the top. Misplaced Pages:Requests for arbitration/How-to other requests

• recent changes
• purge this page
• view or discuss this template

Currently, there are no requests for arbitration.

No cases have recently been closed (view all closed cases).

Current requests

Request for clarification: Footnoted quotes

List of any users involved or directly affected, and confirmation that all are aware of the request:

• Shoemaker's Holiday (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) (initiator)

Statement by Shoemaker's Holiday

This page is presumably meant to stand for all time. As it is effectively new policy, I would request that it be declared a {{howto}}, {{guideline}}, or {{policy}}, and have the arbcom's explicit approval of it being treated like any other policy, e.g. it may be edited, adapted, or, (in extreme cases), voted down by the community?

This is based on two bits of logic: Editing and improving is the Wiki way; having a policy page noone could edit, and having this page "fixed" for all time with whatever the Arbcom came up with in a few days' discussion goes against this. Secondly, it's basic five pillars logic: "Misplaced Pages does not have firm rules, besides the five general principles presented here."

I also feel this change would remove most of the controversy surrounding this case.

Thank you, Shoemaker's Holiday (talk) 14:14, 8 August 2008 (UTC)

MBisanz: User:RegenerateThis, one of the Arbcom clerks, claims that any changes to WP:BLPSE requires appeal to arbcom: Wikipedia_talk:BLPSE#Policies_must_be_editable. Shoemaker's Holiday (talk) 04:39, 9 August 2008 (UTC)

Comment by Ncmvocalist

As in the previous request for clarification, I don't see how the response would be different - no, this is a remedy (not a new policy/guideline), and no, it cannot be voted down by the community. Basically, an area of the encyclopedia is now under a type of discretionary-sanctions-remedy - the mere fact that it applies to a wider area, or has more specific requirements (such as, in terms of logging) does not change the effect of the remedy. Persistently insisting it is new policy or against Misplaced Pages norms does not make it so.

The only real controversy here, I think, is the same sort that was experienced when discretionary sanctions were enacted for the first time by the Committee. But even then, I wonder how/why it is that much of the community have, particularly in recent times, come to favour the discretionary sanctions type remedies for areas constantly encountering problems. Ncmvocalist (talk) 14:51, 8 August 2008 (UTC)

Statement by MBisanz

If Shoemaker could specify which page he is referring to, we have WP:BLPLOG and WP:BLPSE. One, WP:BLPLOG was created by an arbcom decision, so presumably, they own that page, the other WP:BLPSE was created by the community to discuss how it views WP:BLPLOG, so I'm not sure it needs any other tags. MBisanz 02:33, 9 August 2008 (UTC)

Hm, well I think Tony was de-clerked, so he probably shouldn't be considered a binding expression of arbcom intent. But since I really never worked at WP:BLPSE (I'm a template gnome of sorts), I don't have a view on that page. MBisanz 04:52, 9 August 2008 (UTC)

Clerk notes

Arbitrator views and discussion

Request for clarification : Misplaced Pages:Requests_for_arbitration/John_Buscema

List of any users involved or directly affected, and confirmation that all are aware of the request:

• User:Scott Free
• User:Tenebrae

http://en.wikipedia.org/search/?title=User_talk%3ATenebrae&diff=228478711&oldid=228228599

Statement by Scott Free

http://en.wikipedia.org/Wikipedia:Requests_for_arbitration/John_Buscema

I have a question concerning a statement by Tenebrae -

...the version largely written by Scott Free's former identity, Skyelarke, which was disallowed by both RfC consensus and a lengthy Arbitration.'

http://en.wikipedia.org/search/?title=Talk%3AJohn_Buscema&diff=226555068&oldid=215860249

Extra info - A similar statement was made here - http://en.wikipedia.org/search/?title=Talk%3AJohn_Buscema&diff=228308285&oldid=228307747

My question would be is the statement correct? Does the Arbitration ruling state that content contained in previous versions are not allowed to be integrated into the current article? I'm not clear about the consensus aspect, but my understanding is that of the closing arbitrator -

'(Referring to 'Consensus can change') ...This is certainly a legitimate and well-recognized principle. I don't know that it's applicable to this case because before the article was protected, it's not clear there was a consensus between the two versions, one way or the other. Newyorkbrad (talk) 15:47, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

http://en.wikipedia.org/search/?title=Misplaced Pages%3ARequests_for_arbitration%2FJohn_Buscema%2FWorkshop&diff=181873872&oldid=181781354

I ask this because my understanding of the situation is that discussion on content had been interrupted (with about 30 or so referenced passages, having arrived after the RfC in question, left more or less incompletly discussed) due to conduct and civility issues that required arbitration. Following the Arbitration, which issued a decision aimed at resolving the dispute, in theory discussion could continue, addressing the unresolved content questions. So I guess my second question would be: Can I make edits to the article (within reason) that aim at reintegrating some or all of the 30 or so unresolved referenced passages?

Right now, I feel that if I should make edits to the article in that spirit, judging by the statement (which has been made in various forms several times), I would get a reply to the effect of 'the content being presented has been disallowed by RfC and an Arbitration ruling'.

In good faith,

--Scott Free (talk) 21:43, 28 July 2008 (UTC)

Regarding respecting post-arb consensus - That's also a question I have - What if no clear consensus emerges from the limbo the article was in? I did do a RfC to try and address this, but there was little in terms of comments on the specific issue of the previous disputed (and I say largely unresolved) content - the RfC ended up being pretty inconclusive aside from certain generalities about image use.

--Scott Free (talk) 11:13, 29 July 2008 (UTC)

Question to GRBerry - Just to clarify -had you or have you read Tenebrae's first statement in the Arb Enforce request? (Which is the same as the diff provided here above) I ask because your closing statement seemed to indicate that you might not have. (That was partially a mistake on my part, as it wasn't included in the green area of the diff, it was just above it.) (Although this clarification request isn't a direct reaction to your admin action - the statement is fairly typical of the editor and I was planning on making a clarification request on this sooner or later.)

--Scott Free (talk) 21:09, 30 July 2008 (UTC)

Response to Sam Blacketer - I can see how reverting a paragraph wholesale would be innapropriate - I was thinking of taking the 30 or so passages individually and reintegrating them into the current version, rewording as required (they are all fairly short sentence fragments, I think, spread out fairly evenly throughout the entire article) - either one at a time or one section at a time. The reference sources are the same as the ones already used in the article. However, content-wise, it would still be the same content that Tenebrae is, I gather, strongly opposed to and will most likely delete most of them. Most likely, I would probably end up making a request for comment, to get additional feedback. Would this be acceptable?

I think in three cases, Tenebrae had removed the reference tag and kept the text, stating that references weren't necessary for them - Post-arb, another editor removed the phrases for reason of lack of reference. In those cases, I would restore the 3 phrases and include the corresponding previously deleted reference tags.

Another question would be : Would it be acceptable for me to submit this article to a Peer Review process?

--Scott Free (talk) 12:25, 31 July 2008 (UTC)

Statement by Tenebrae

Anyone can go on the John Buscema page and see Scott Free's disruptiveness even when editors besides myself try to dissuade him from continuing to promote his highly POV, often non-MOS, hagiographic fan page with over a dozen often decorative images. He was barred from editing the page for three months, and his obsessiveness over the page got him another month tacked on.

Please: Go read the lengthy Arbitration log, and the months of discussion that went on before and, now, afterward. --Tenebrae (talk) 03:10, 29 July 2008 (UTC)

Response to jpgordon

I believe I've tried, having made only non-controversial and minor edits and not having touched the article otherwise.

It might be helpful to read these two new related, closed discussions on the Admin Noticeboard, of which I've only now become aware, in which other editors and admins have addressed Scott Free's continuing disruptions and obsessive behavior: Misplaced Pages:Administrators' noticeboard/Arbitration enforcement#John Buscema and Misplaced Pages:Administrators' noticeboard/Arbitration enforcement#Addenda to John Buscema. --Tenebrae (talk) 13:37, 29 July 2008 (UTC)

Statement by GRBerry

There was a recent WP:AE thread posted by Scott Free, which I closed after 5 days had gone by. It was clear to me that it did not merit administrative action, and no other reviewer had suggested that use of tools was appropriate. During that thread it was discovered that the external link was to a out of date mirror of our article, and it looked due to lack of further dispute over the link like that would lead to consensus about it. This thread is now archived here. A followup thread, attended to by Shell Kinney, is still on WP:AE but will archive to archive 24 shortly. An even earlier related thread is here. No other WP:AE activity I'm aware of is relevant. GRBerry 03:18, 30 July 2008 (UTC)

Statement by other user

Clerk notes

Arbitrator views and discussion

The remedies in the case said nothing whatsoever about the content of the article; rather, they require that after your topic ban expired, both of you "respect consensus developed in the interim concerning the basic structure of the article and the nature of the material that should be included". Does your material respect the consensus that developed? --jpgordon 04:06, 29 July 2008 (UTC)

• The terms of the arbitration case are that you have to respect the basic structure, so simply restoring the same paragraphs that were previously being objected to would not be respecting the structure but reverting to the previous structure. The external link to Nationmaster is clearly inappropriate. If you are adding reliable source references to what it already in the article, or making additions to explain existing material, then that is quite acceptable. Meanwhile I hope other editors will continue to assume good faith on your contributions. Sam Blacketer (talk) 10:02, 31 July 2008 (UTC)

Request to amend prior case: Misplaced Pages:Requests for arbitration/Privatemusings

Statement by User:Privatemusings

Could I have my restriction on editing BLPs lifted, please? I asked about two months ago, and someone else asked a month or two before that. Happy to answer any questions. Privatemusings (talk) 02:56, 7 August 2008 (UTC)

reply to Sam... yeah, I know I haven't always exactly made the most sensible 'keep your head down' choices - I guess my head's stuck somewhere! - I see Daniel's suggestions made the policy after a time, which is great - and I totally understand that the reward board thing might have touched a nerve... on the other hand.. it was kinda supposed to, and I'm glad to have maybe raised a smile here or there. I've tried to be consistent in criticising the system, not the people (I do think the arbcom is full of outstanding people, but is singularly useless as a body) - and would like to edit unencumbered if at all possible. cheers, Privatemusings (talk) 10:19, 7 August 2008 (UTC)

ps. your comment is somewhat non-committal (probably intentionally, so sorry for being dense...) - would you mind saying 'yup, the restriction can be lifted'? If you think otherwise, there's no need to say anything ;-) Privatemusings (talk) 10:48, 7 August 2008 (UTC)

John's suggestion seems sensible to me, for what that's worth. I guess the alternative would be to see Av and the arbs back here in a month or two? :-) Privatemusings (talk) 05:27, 10 August 2008 (UTC)

Statement by User:Sarcasticidealist

I have no thoughts as to whether the restriction should be lifted at this time, as I'm unfamiliar with the details of the original case, but I think using this as a reason to leave a restriction on editing BLPs in place is a little nonsensical (and could come across as spiteful). Sarcasticidealist (talk) 16:26, 7 August 2008 (UTC)

Statement by Avruch

Since I've commented in each one of these, why upset the streak?

The BLP restriction was imposed because of actual problematic editing by privatemusings on BLPs. If the restriction is to be continued, it should be because there is still a concern that his editing of BLPs may still be problematic. I, personally, see no basis for the belief that this is true. His editing of the ArbCom policy page was presumptuous, and not something I would have done - on the other hand, no similar flair for the dramatic has been demonstrated on contentious articles (that I'm aware of).

Further, regarding his post on the reward board. To be blunt, the gears of ArbCom have ground to halt everywhere except in accepting new cases. You have a slate of important cases to decide, cases where the parties and the community are ill served by interminable delays. If you are hopelessly deadlocked and unable to come to a conclusion between you, admit that and dismiss the case. You need to set a deadline for these cases where you haven't come to an easy conclusion, so that debate does not rage on forever until everyone has lost the plot. Privatemusings' frustration, and that of many others, is understandable - you should not take his tweaking your nose amiss when you are, in fact, not performing to expectations. Avruch 20:57, 7 August 2008 (UTC)

And if that sounds a bit harsh, apologies... I have a great deal of respect, individually, for almost all of the arbitrators (a couple I haven't seen them do enough to form an opinion...) - but I do think that, as a whole, you've become a bit dysfunctional lately. I would hope that in a situation where it is unclear if a restriction is necessary, you would take the conservative route and restore full privileges. Avruch 21:05, 7 August 2008 (UTC)

Statement by John Vandenberg

I propose a different restriction.

A number of admins and others are keeping an eye on that page, and I am sure that PM will find ways of enticing us or others to keep up. If he gets too annoying, and nobody helps him, at least he will have created a nice list of troubled BLP articles. John Vandenberg 10:32, 8 August 2008 (UTC)

Statement by User:Alecmconroy

I'll just parrot what Sarcasticidealist said above-- I won't argue whether the restriction should be lifted, but I absolutely applaud PM's use of the charity fundraiser. There's widespread sentiment that Arbcom's sort of stuck in the mud on this one, and there have been widespread thoughts on how to respond to that. Most of those thoughts have not been pretty-- I've heard "Make a no-confidence motion on Arbcom", I've heard "move that the case be deleted", I've heard "move that arbcom as whole be deleted". I've even heard "Form a citizen's 'emergency acting arbcom'" to try the case. (none of these ideas do I support, I just mention them to give context).

By contrast, PM's charity fundraiser is a 100% positive way to try to gently encourage things. It's far less negative than the other suggestions, it has precedents (in that we often do little fundraisers for other ways of improving the project), and although PM himself of course has views about what the outcome of the case should be, he had the wisdom to carefully craft his fundraiser so that it not tied to any specific outcome-- all it asks is that the case take less than four months from start to finish--- a very reasonable goal to encourage.

Do what you will about the BLP restriction-- there are plenty of good reasons to argue the restriction shouldn't be lifted. But the charity fundraiser is not one of those reasons. PM should be proud of that one-- I know I would be if I had thought it up. --Alecmconroy (talk) 16:29, 8 August 2008 (UTC)

o.O by NonvocalScream

Wait. From the arb comments let me see if I play this one out correctly. What does PM edits to the arb pages have anything to do with his BLP restriction? This is the message I get "criticize arbcom, and we will keep you restricted". Do I understand that because he criticized the arbitration committee, he can not have his restriction lifted? This seems wrong. Can the arbitrators clarify?

Disclosure: I vocally supported restricting PM during the case. NonvocalScream (talk) 06:13, 10 August 2008 (UTC)

• Addendum: Do you think that I don't know the ramifications of his BLP editing in the past, I'm the one who blocked the editor and participated in the arbitration. Do you think I would be advocating for lifting his restriction if I knew the risk still existed? Arbitrators, I was there. NonvocalScream (talk) 17:01, 10 August 2008 (UTC)

Response to Barberio: You ask to much. Resignation is not called for. You use a cannon ball to kill a mosquito. NonvocalScream (talk) 19:19, 10 August 2008 (UTC)

Nothing of importance by NE2

I agree that it's pretty silly to use "disruption" to ArbCom pages as examples.

I also suspect that NonvocalScream is lying when he says he "vocally" supported restricting PM. --NE2 07:12, 10 August 2008 (UTC)

link NonvocalScream (talk) 15:32, 10 August 2008 (UTC)

Comment by Random832

I agree with NVS - this is disgraceful. But, if you're going to insist on making the community do your jobs for you... --Random832 (contribs) 07:18, 10 August 2008 (UTC)

Comment by Barberio

Some Members of the Arbitration Committee have commented that they are upholding this solely because of Privatemusings' public comments about their behaviour, and a well intentioned attempt to alter Arbitration Policy which was reverted and which revert Privatemusings' accepted.

I think those Arbitration Committee have made a grave error. Community consensus seems to agree. It does seem like the community has expressed a lack of confidence in the Committee.

I ask that the members who made those inappropriate comments resign. --Barberio (talk) 18:00, 10 August 2008 (UTC)

ps. It is not on this incident alone that I ask for your resignations. This incident is simply the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back. You were on notice that the community wasn't happy with how things are working, but just seem to shrug of any criticism and continue to act inappropriately. --Barberio (talk) 19:54, 10 August 2008 (UTC)

Clerk notes

Arbitrator views and discussion

• I'll let you into a secret. Several times recently I've been thinking of suggesting removing the restriction, but then you've done something like this or this and I decide that my time might be more productively used elsewhere. Sam Blacketer (talk) 10:11, 7 August 2008 (UTC)
• Not comfortable lifting the restrictions at this time. Your continued lack of good judgment in some instances and as well as pushing the point in others, does not reassure me that you should be editing BLP articles. FloNight♥♥♥ 16:12, 7 August 2008 (UTC)
  • Privatemusings chose the timing of this request. Doing something controversial on ArbCom related pages a few days before asking for a review shows a general lack of clue and adds to my reluctance to drop the restriction. FloNight♥♥♥ 17:04, 7 August 2008 (UTC)
• I'm with Flo and Sam on this. --jpgordon 20:04, 7 August 2008 (UTC)
  • The issue is one of judgment; I don't really see why it matters where the display of questionable judgment was. --jpgordon 20:31, 10 August 2008 (UTC)

• Misplaced Pages arbitration