Misplaced Pages:Arbitration/Requests/Enforcement: Difference between revisions

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Revision as of 06:36, 8 July 2014 editWikieditorpro (talk \| contribs)668 edits →Statement by Wikieditorpro: Statement← Previous edit		Revision as of 06:48, 8 July 2014 edit undoYkantor (talk \| contribs)Extended confirmed users4,778 edits →Discussion concerning Wikieditorpro: Why it is acceptable that an editor is repeatedly cheating? (e.g Pluto2012 some edits ) but personal attacks are not acceptable? Why not to enforce both?Next edit →
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	I repeated for him to explain his reintroduction of the demonstrably manipulated/faked quote, and his reply was , that I ‘ranted and raved’ at his revert, showing a glaring ‘sense of entitlement’ Again, aside from the abuse, a refusal to face the evidence, that his revert restored a serious source distortion.		I repeated for him to explain his reintroduction of the demonstrably manipulated/faked quote, and his reply was , that I ‘ranted and raved’ at his revert, showing a glaring ‘sense of entitlement’ Again, aside from the abuse, a refusal to face the evidence, that his revert restored a serious source distortion.
	Well, one sees a lot of this. I just dismissed it as another throwaway account blowing back in for an emergency to hassle an article. But I see that elsewhere, the behaviour is identical.] (]) 16:58, 7 July 2014 (UTC)		Well, one sees a lot of this. I just dismissed it as another throwaway account blowing back in for an emergency to hassle an article. But I see that elsewhere, the behaviour is identical.] (]) 16:58, 7 July 2014 (UTC)

			====Statement by Ykantor ====
			]
			The Arab- Israeli conflict articles are biased against Israel and trying to fix it is similar to a ]. Editors (e.g. ]) are repeatedly deleting well supported text just because it does not suit their POV. (e.g. ). Even more frustrating is the difference between ignored Misplaced Pages rules and rules which are strictly enforced.<P>
			-Why it is acceptable to ignore the rule that if there is a dispute, then both views should be presented.? (] repeated deletions are breaching it and no one cares).<P>
			- How do one know which rule is enforced and which one is ignored , other that looking at ] archives?<P>
			- Why it is acceptable that an editor is repeatedly cheating? (e.g Pluto2012 ) but personal attacks are not acceptable? Why not to enforce both?<P>
			- I know some good editors who left Misplaced Pages out of frustration. Shouldn't we all be interested in a better Misplaced Pages with more good editors where rules are transparent, and enforced?<P>
			While Personal attacks are not justified, I can understand how the hostile environment is pushing editors to the verge of that kind of behavior. ] (]) 06:48, 8 July 2014 (UTC)

	====Statement by (username)====		====Statement by (username)====

Revision as of 06:48, 8 July 2014

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Plot Spoiler

Complaint suspended until User:Plot Spoiler returns to editing. If anyone has something to add, feel free to unhat this report. EdJohnston (talk) 17:53, 27 June 2014 (UTC)
The following discussion has been closed. Please do not modify it.
This request may be declined without further action if insufficient or unclear information is provided in the "Request" section below. Requests may not exceed 500 words and 20 diffs (not counting required information), except by permission of a reviewing administrator. Request concerning Plot Spoiler User who is submitting this request for enforcement Oncenawhile (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) 17:48, 25 June 2014 (UTC) User against whom enforcement is requested Plot Spoiler (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) Search CT alerts: in user talk history • in system log Sanction or remedy to be enforced Misplaced Pages:ARBPIA : Misplaced Pages:Requests_for_arbitration/Palestine-Israel_articles#Standard_discretionary_sanctions Diffs of edits that violate this sanction or remedy, and an explanation how these edits violate it Revert on 25 June after my directly related talk proposal on 22 June went unanswered for three days Revert on 7 June after my directly related talk proposal on 30 May went unanswered for a week Revert on 22 May In return for talk page discussion, detailed sourcing and verification, and lots of patience, Plot Spoiler responds with reverts, silence, reverts, and occasional personal attacks on talk. For the avoidance of doubt I asked Georgewilliamherbert for advice in February re dealing with such behaviour from Plot Spoiler, and have been following his advice to ensure I have crystal clean hands. Diffs of previous relevant sanctions, if any WP:AE/Archive139#Plot_Spoiler Sep 2013 ARBPIA enforcement WP:3RR/User:Greyshark09_and_User:Plot_Spoiler Jan 2014 warning re slow burn edit war Additional comments by editor filing complaint In response to User:Sandstein below, this is a clear case of slow burn edit warring from an editor who should know better. Whilst the slow burn nature means it didn't trip the 1RR 24 hour bright line, it has had the same effect via three reverts, and should be considered as such. Oncenawhile (talk) 19:51, 25 June 2014 (UTC) Hi User:Sandstein, sorry i'm being slow. I have now linked to the specific remedy above. Plot Spoiler was blocked under ARBPIA about 9 months ago, so is well aware of the sanctions. I also reminded him about them on talk between the second and third revert above . Oncenawhile (talk) 20:43, 25 June 2014 (UTC) And he was notified directly re the risk of sanctions from slow burn edit warring at User_talk:Plot_Spoiler/Archive_3#Discretionary_sanctions_notification. Oncenawhile (talk) 20:54, 25 June 2014 (UTC) Notification of the user against whom enforcement is requested Discussion concerning Plot Spoiler Statements must be made in separate sections. They may not exceed 500 words and 20 diffs, except by permission of a reviewing administrator. Administrators may remove or shorten noncompliant statements. Disruptive contributions may result in blocks. Statement by Plot Spoiler Apologies, I'm unable to provide a thoughtful and detailed response until at least Tuesday, July 1. I will not be editing in the interim. Your patience is appreciated. Plot Spoiler (talk) 01:52, 27 June 2014 (UTC) Statement by (username) Result concerning Plot Spoiler This section is to be edited only by uninvolved administrators. Comments by others will be moved to the section above. The complaint does not make clear which if any specific remedy should be enforced and/or which if any conduct rule these reverts are deemed to violate. It is not actionable as submitted. Sandstein 18:28, 25 June 2014 (UTC) Even as amended, the complaint does not specify the remedy to be enforced and, if this is to be a discretionary sanctions request, does not indicate how Plot Spoiler was aware (as required) of these sanctions. Still not actionable. Sandstein 20:16, 25 June 2014 (UTC) Sandstein, you issued 3-month ARBPIA ban to Plot Spoiler in September 2013. This should make them sufficiently aware. Though I haven't decided who is behaving the worst at 1950–51 Baghdad bombings we should think about some admin action which is sufficient to be sure that the conduct of all parties reaches the expected quality level for ARBPIA articles. It is tempting to think that a sanction to Plot Spoiler might be what is needed. In the September 2013 case, it was found that Plot Spoiler was applying different standards to the quality of the sources on the two sides of the dispute. EdJohnston (talk) 17:52, 26 June 2014 (UTC) Hm, I'm waiting for a statement by Plot Spoiler. Sandstein 18:30, 26 June 2014 (UTC) Plot Spoiler now says he will be away until Tuesday July 1. How about we suspend this with no action, provided he does not edit Misplaced Pages in the mean time? EdJohnston (talk) 04:57, 27 June 2014 (UTC) OK. Sandstein 05:15, 27 June 2014 (UTC) Plot Spoiler told us 'at least Tuesday, July 1' but that date has passed. So far there is no sign of his return. He has not edited Misplaced Pages since June 27. On July 5, I amended the banner to read 'complaint suspended until Plot Spoiler returns to editing'. We still expect to get a statement from him before action will be taken one way or the other. EdJohnston (talk) 14:57, 5 July 2014 (UTC)

Complaint suspended until User:Plot Spoiler returns to editing. If anyone has something to add, feel free to unhat this report. EdJohnston (talk) 17:53, 27 June 2014 (UTC)

The following discussion has been closed. Please do not modify it.

This request may be declined without further action if insufficient or unclear information is provided in the "Request" section below.
Requests may not exceed 500 words and 20 diffs (not counting required information), except by permission of a reviewing administrator.

Request concerning Plot Spoiler

User who is submitting this request for enforcement: Oncenawhile (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) 17:48, 25 June 2014 (UTC)

User against whom enforcement is requested: Plot Spoiler (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
Search CT alerts: in user talk history • in system log

Sanction or remedy to be enforced: Misplaced Pages:ARBPIA : Misplaced Pages:Requests_for_arbitration/Palestine-Israel_articles#Standard_discretionary_sanctions

Diffs of edits that violate this sanction or remedy, and an explanation how these edits violate it

Revert on 25 June after my directly related talk proposal on 22 June went unanswered for three days
Revert on 7 June after my directly related talk proposal on 30 May went unanswered for a week
Revert on 22 May

In return for talk page discussion, detailed sourcing and verification, and lots of patience, Plot Spoiler responds with reverts, silence, reverts, and occasional personal attacks on talk. For the avoidance of doubt I asked Georgewilliamherbert for advice in February re dealing with such behaviour from Plot Spoiler, and have been following his advice to ensure I have crystal clean hands.

Diffs of previous relevant sanctions, if any

WP:AE/Archive139#Plot_Spoiler Sep 2013 ARBPIA enforcement
WP:3RR/User:Greyshark09_and_User:Plot_Spoiler Jan 2014 warning re slow burn edit war

Additional comments by editor filing complaint

In response to User:Sandstein below, this is a clear case of slow burn edit warring from an editor who should know better. Whilst the slow burn nature means it didn't trip the 1RR 24 hour bright line, it has had the same effect via three reverts, and should be considered as such. Oncenawhile (talk) 19:51, 25 June 2014 (UTC)

Hi User:Sandstein, sorry i'm being slow. I have now linked to the specific remedy above. Plot Spoiler was blocked under ARBPIA about 9 months ago, so is well aware of the sanctions. I also reminded him about them on talk between the second and third revert above . Oncenawhile (talk) 20:43, 25 June 2014 (UTC)

And he was notified directly re the risk of sanctions from slow burn edit warring at User_talk:Plot_Spoiler/Archive_3#Discretionary_sanctions_notification. Oncenawhile (talk) 20:54, 25 June 2014 (UTC)

Notification of the user against whom enforcement is requested

Discussion concerning Plot Spoiler

Statements must be made in separate sections. They may not exceed 500 words and 20 diffs, except by permission of a reviewing administrator.
Administrators may remove or shorten noncompliant statements. Disruptive contributions may result in blocks.

Statement by Plot Spoiler

Apologies, I'm unable to provide a thoughtful and detailed response until at least Tuesday, July 1. I will not be editing in the interim. Your patience is appreciated. Plot Spoiler (talk) 01:52, 27 June 2014 (UTC)

Statement by (username)

Result concerning Plot Spoiler

This section is to be edited only by uninvolved administrators. Comments by others will be moved to the section above.

The complaint does not make clear which if any specific remedy should be enforced and/or which if any conduct rule these reverts are deemed to violate. It is not actionable as submitted. Sandstein 18:28, 25 June 2014 (UTC)

Even as amended, the complaint does not specify the remedy to be enforced and, if this is to be a discretionary sanctions request, does not indicate how Plot Spoiler was aware (as required) of these sanctions. Still not actionable. Sandstein 20:16, 25 June 2014 (UTC)

Sandstein, you issued 3-month ARBPIA ban to Plot Spoiler in September 2013. This should make them sufficiently aware. Though I haven't decided who is behaving the worst at 1950–51 Baghdad bombings we should think about some admin action which is sufficient to be sure that the conduct of all parties reaches the expected quality level for ARBPIA articles. It is tempting to think that a sanction to Plot Spoiler might be what is needed. In the September 2013 case, it was found that Plot Spoiler was applying different standards to the quality of the sources on the two sides of the dispute. EdJohnston (talk) 17:52, 26 June 2014 (UTC)

Hm, I'm waiting for a statement by Plot Spoiler. Sandstein 18:30, 26 June 2014 (UTC)

Plot Spoiler now says he will be away until Tuesday July 1. How about we suspend this with no action, provided he does not edit Misplaced Pages in the mean time? EdJohnston (talk) 04:57, 27 June 2014 (UTC)

OK. Sandstein 05:15, 27 June 2014 (UTC)

Plot Spoiler told us 'at least Tuesday, July 1' but that date has passed. So far there is no sign of his return. He has not edited Misplaced Pages since June 27. On July 5, I amended the banner to read 'complaint suspended until Plot Spoiler returns to editing'. We still expect to get a statement from him before action will be taken one way or the other. EdJohnston (talk) 14:57, 5 July 2014 (UTC)

Sean.hoyland

User talk:AmirSurfLera and User talk:Kipa Aduma, Esq. are banned indefinitely from content related to the Arab-Israeli conflict, broadly construed; they may appeal this after six months. User:Sean.hoyland is warned not to accuse others of being a sock without providing sufficient reasoning. Lord Roem ~ (talk) 06:24, 8 July 2014 (UTC)
The following discussion has been closed. Please do not modify it.
This request may be declined without further action if insufficient or unclear information is provided in the "Request" section below. Requests may not exceed 500 words and 20 diffs (not counting required information), except by permission of a reviewing administrator. Request concerning Sean.hoyland User who is submitting this request for enforcement Kipa Aduma, Esq. (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) 09:14, 1 July 2014 (UTC) User against whom enforcement is requested Sean.hoyland (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) Search CT alerts: in user talk history • in system log Sanction or remedy to be enforced Misplaced Pages:ARBPIA : Misplaced Pages:Requests_for_arbitration/Palestine-Israel_articles#Standard_discretionary_sanctions Diffs of edits that violate this sanction or remedy, and an explanation how these edits violate it 06:22, 1 July 2014 First edit after coming off a block for calling me a sock without evidence, repeats the behavior, and says "just to make it crystal clear, I have just done exactly the same thing there that recently resulted in my being blocked for 48 hours by Sandstein for describing a sockpuppet as a sockpuppet. I made it as my very first post-block edit. You are welcome to apply another block. I don't mind" Diffs of previous relevant sanctions, if any 11:12, 28 June 2014 Block for the same behavior - calling people socks without evidence 08:45, 1 July 2014 Clarification by blocking admin that such behavior constitutes personal attacks, and will be dealt with accordingly If discretionary sanctions are requested, supply evidence that the user is aware of them (see WP:AC/DS#Awareness and alerts) Previously given a discretionary sanction for conduct in the area of conflict on 28 June 2014 by Sandstein (talk · contribs · blocks · protections · deletions · page moves · rights · RfA). Additional comments by editor filing complaint @Black Kite - WP:NOTHERE, as I am sure you know, is not a Misplaced Pages policy or guideline. My real life work burden prevents me from editing regularly, but I edit when I can. The I-P topic is one my main interests, and when I edit there, I do so without breaking any policies or guidelines, which is more than I can say for the predictable pile-ons by some of the commenters here, or by Sean.hoyland. What policy exactly are you basing your suggestion to topic ban me on? And to all the editors who are now claiming Sean is merely "frustrated", or "blew his cool", I refer you to his most recent edit: "Editors can do and say anything and take the consequences. I know you probably won't be able to understand this but I haven't made any mistakes. Everything I've done is considered and deliberate". Administrators on this board have, as far as I can tell, two options: They can ivent an excuse to block be , not based on Misplaced Pages policy, while letting an editor brazenly thumb their nose at this site's policies regarding personal attacks, and allow them to continue, in a calculated and deliberate way to drive contributors like me, whose opinions they don't like off the project. In the process, they will of course make a mockery of Sandstein's original block for this kind of behavior and their subsequent declaration that the rules are clear and that such personal attacks will be "dealt with accordingly" ; or they can start enforcing the rules without making excuses on behalf of supposedly useful contributors. @Black Kite & Sandstein: If one-sided editing is grounds for a topic ban, then as Shrike notes below, every single one of the commenters on this case needs to be topic banned. Shall I provide you with the evidence? @Sandstein: re: editors who "have clear sympathies for one side, but are not only dedicated to making edits that favor that side. " - if you are referring to their edits within the I-P topic area, that is incorrect. Those edits are uniformly one-sided. If you are referring to the fact that (some) of them may also contribute to other part of the encyclopedia- would it matter if I undertook to significantly increase my edits outside the I-P area, to the level of say, RolandR? Notification of the user against whom enforcement is requested Discussion concerning Sean.hoyland Statements must be made in separate sections. They may not exceed 500 words and 20 diffs, except by permission of a reviewing administrator. Administrators may remove or shorten noncompliant statements. Disruptive contributions may result in blocks. Statement by Sean.hoyland I wasn't planning to comment here for various reasons, but having just read through it, some comments caught my eye and I find them a little disturbing. Regarding Misplaced Pages:Sockpuppet investigations/Kipa Aduma, Esq./Archive - the lesson there is, don't file SPI reports unless there is a high probability that they will result in a block because the cost outweighs the benefit. And even if an SPI will likely result in a block, consider that a block is only a temporary inconvenience that can be avoided by simply creating another account. The cost still outweighs the benefit. Who is Kipa Aduma, Esq. ? I don't know. There are several possibilities, and none of them were included in the SPI report. A likely motive for creating the account was to target what they believe (and in a couple of cases I agree) are examples of POV pushing and sockpuppetry in the topic area probably because they have been around long enough to understand that, given the ineffective measures in place to tackle these issues, it is necessary. This kind of vigilantism is common in ARBPIA because it's not adequently policed and the cost of addressing it using the current methods exceeds the benefit. Their first edit targeted Dalai lama ding dong (a legitimate target in my view), during an edit war at 1929 Palestine riots, an article whose history is littered with socks, many confirmed via SPI. They also targeted socks HistorNE and Aa42shirley, also legitimate targets. Unfortunately, they also target and personally attack decent editors who follow policy and it's this aspect, common in ARBPIA, that is disruptive. Although I think SPI is ineffective, if people insist on using SPI for fishing expeditions then the account should be checked against as many accounts as possible that have a troubled history in the topic area. Narrow it down by looking at the behavioral evidence. Who is likely to use a phrase like 'really as simple as that' ? Could be Breein1007 or NoCal100, or me. Who likes to use the term 'friggin' ? Lots of people. Wikifan12345 was always fond of it but never struck me as the socking type. Who has a sufficient level of vidictiveness and/or pettyness to patrol ARBPIA using civilian cover picking off people they don't like ? Several people are capable of that; NoCal100, Breein1007, Dajudem/Tiundrabuggy/Stellarkid, AnkhMorpork, Historicist and sadly many many more. I'm not going to file an SPI report because I know from experience that it is probably a waste of time. Someone else can if they wish. Regarding Misplaced Pages:Sockpuppet_investigations/AmirSurfLera, those accounts are not related to AmirSurfLera. I will file an SPI report that will list Shamir1 as the master and Precision123 as the sock abandoned to facilitate a return to ARBPIA as AmirSurfLera. But I'll only do that if it becomes absolutely necessary because it relies on a substantial amount of data. Sometimes it's easier to address issues by focusing on the problems caused by an editors personal views, and blocking isn't guaranteed to stop an editor for very long (although it does interfere with the collection of evidence needed for SPIs). I understand admins desire to stick to procedure. Admins should do whatever they think is in the best interests of the project. I would encourage admins to start using the discretion that the discretionary sanctions give them to deal with the systemic problems because sticking to procedure hasn't worked. I'd also encourage any admins who want to handle ARBPIA related reports to spend time as an involved editor making a substantial number of edits before returning to an uninvolved status. Spend time finding out what editors in ARBPIA put up with. Get a flavor of the topic area by looking at how editors ignore the existence of WP:NOTADVOCATE everyday e.g. Talk:Rachel_Corrie now. Lastly I want to address Bbb23's comment 'I would not describe that as a constructive motive.' I disagree and with respect I don't think it matters how you see it because it's much more important than that. In another recent edit warring report here, an editor was not blocked. The result was inconsistent with a recent clarification of the rules. That's okay and unsurprising. I asked "Would it be possible for admins to initiate an discussion between admins to settle this once and for all so that there is clarity and consistency ?" Nothing happened, so I carried out an experiment. I'm a humble geoscientist, not an activist or a lawyer, so it was perfectly natural for me to use that approach. These cases clarify 1RR, something that affects every edit and editor in ARBPIA, something that is far more important than what happens to me as a result of this AE report, which really doesn't matter at all in the scheme of things. Sean.hoyland - talk 09:47, 7 July 2014 (UTC) Statement by Nomoskedasticity Four days after this editor's "debut", Ohiostandard (talk · contribs) left a message noting the suspicion of socking. Just sayin'. Nomoskedasticity (talk) 09:23, 1 July 2014 (UTC) So do y'all think that the editor is not a sock?? That would be a tad ridiculous, no? Nomoskedasticity (talk) 09:59, 1 July 2014 (UTC) Statement by Nishidani Okay. The most astute, informed and relatively untarnished SPI/IP/ abuse account expert in the I(P area has blown his cool. His edit summary is, self-evidently, a request for a perma-ban because of his outrage (shared, I would add) at the extraordinary sanction applied to him for what was deemed a WP:AGF infraction, in an area where I don't even note any more the insults that fly my way, or make formal protests here or at AN/1. He feels, one gathers, that his record was blemished by an intense focus on a technical piece of the minutiae of good faith protocols, to the exclusion of what everyone knows. There is something extremely odd about the Kipa Aduma account, as there is about AmirSurfLera's and his edits are a disaster. The point that tipped his detachment lies here. He thought in the Sepsis case that he was in his rights to call an editor a sock (multiple account user) on the basis of an assurance given to him by an experienced checkuser that AmirSurfLera, despite his denials, had worked on wikipedia under another account. Several people thought that SH's inference was absolutely rational. Sandstein did not. I laid out the point here in the the Sepsis case just prior to the Kipa Aduma case: SH's comments about ASL's (putative) sockpuppetry ('The use of multiple Misplaced Pages user accounts for an improper purpose') appear to draw on Elockid's checkuser judgement that 'it is a user who has edited before', which AmirSurfLera is on record as denying. If those comments consist of an inference, unproven and therefore unwarranted, then there might be a case for SH's short suspension for disruptiveness. If they stem not from personal guesswork, but rather, as would appear to be the case, from taking an experienced admin's judgement as objective, then it is hard to understand the severity. Two other expressly noted the formal problem as I noted here. Three editors now Roland R, myself and Dlv999 have asked for clarification of why SH's use of Elockid's statement to assert something quite specific, that ASL has edited wiki before adopting a new handle, is sanctionable. This is important since SH is virtually the only experienced editor in this troubled area who tracks the extremely problematical and intricate patterns of socking there. A ban that is not tightly argued and reasonable beyond dispute risks effectively maiming our ability to defend wikipedia from the large number of socks, meatpuppets and pseudo-newbies who barge in almost daily. This is not special pleading for SH, nor is it partisan. It is special pleading to not make the work of editors in this area even more sisyphean than it already it. The case was closed without any consideration given to a point independently raised by myself,RolandR, and Dlv999. The refusal to answer the point may be al legitimate exercise in discretional insouciance to what is deemed a technical irrerlevance. But we peons would reply that Sandstein's reading, and tacit dismissal, has left (a) editors not knowing any longer whether they can trust checkuser assurances and (b) SH (I don't know who he is and we have never corresponded, for the record) so pissed off he is apparently willing to challenge the arbitrator, by a formally suicidal edit summary. So, while technical a severe sanction is a quick mechanical consequence, a refusal to address several complaints about what long-term editors think is a vizio di forma or legal flaw at the basis of SH's ban is, inevitably, going to deprive the area of its most experienced technician for detecting the viral plague that makes work in this, excuse me, cesspit of corrupt editing, almost intolerable. A case of overattention to one detail, itself disputed, Sandstein, which now looks like having a drastically negative impact on the I/P area's functionality. Nishidani (talk) 10:34, 1 July 2014 (UTC) BK. Quite correct that 'Whether Kipa Aduma, Esq is a sock of another user or not actually isn't the point here'. But since, he is one of two editors whom almost all in the area from detailed experience consider uncannily like a duck, and, having escaped challenge, now is setting his sights on outing an editor with an outstanding record for contributing to the sanity of this place, the complaint he lays certainly demands that we look at why SeanH's remark arose: the point then is also: was SH's inference, which led to the sanction in the first place, proper or not. No answer has been given, and a large number of editors are puzzled. I have great respect for Sandstein's almost Olympian judgement, the ability to cut to the chase, as repeated over the years. Here, I must admit, I think that meticulousness saw one (small) problem, and ignored what many thought an obvious issue as though it were impertinent in both senses- namely, the statement by Elockid which most of us read as validating the idea that ASL had, contrary to his protestations, edited under another name, and therefore was a sock. Surely that statement by Elockid and SH's logical assumption that it constituted a clear-cut basis for his own remark, requires reanalysis. There's nothing personal in this, or partisan. One's sense of how to read things is destablized if this remains obscure. Nishidani (talk) 11:43, 1 July 2014 (UTC) Statement by Huldra A doctor in my country recently had to stand trial for drunk-driving. He was the only doctor on an isolated island. One late Saturday night, he got a phone-call about an emergency. Even though he had taken two glasses of wine, (thereby clearly breaking our very strict drunk-driving laws) he sat himself in the car (there was nobody else there to drive him) and got to the patient. He was freed at the trial, as the Judge noted that that nobody was hurt by his driving, and that the patient would surely have died if he had not got there. Nobody criticised the judge, but the patient had really, really been lucky. Undoubtedly, many doctors would have said "rules are rules!" -and refused to drive. CU Elockid said this about AmirSurfLera here. To Sandstein: Is it a blocable offence to repeat that? Is it an offence to link to it? Sickly patients wants to know. Cheers, Huldra (talk) 11:22, 1 July 2014 (UTC) Everyone, (including me), seems to mix up Kipa Aduma, Esq. and AmirSurfLera. No wonder. Lets sum it up: Kipa Aduma, Esq. (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) Started editing 10 June 2012, but has only 163 edits: long dormant period. 1st edit a revert. On the 11 June 2012, Kipa Aduma, Esq. was named as a possible sock of AnkhMorpork, by Oncenawhile, see Misplaced Pages:Sockpuppet_investigations/AnkhMorpork/Archive On the 13th June 2012 Kipa Aduma, Esq. was referred to as an "obvious socks" on WP:AN/I by OhioStandard (link). OhioStandard was not blocked for this. And Kipa Aduma, Esq. somehow follows/is informed about what goes on WP:AN/I after three days on wikipedia, as they referred to it on their talk-page. Wikichecker chart: AmirSurfLera and Kipa Aduma, Esq. typically reverts with the same POV, on the same pages: 05:25, 29 June 2014 revert on Ariel University 06:18, 1 July 2014 revert on Ariel University 04:28, 30 June 2014 revert on Basic Laws of Israel 08:57, 1 July 2014 revert on Basic Laws of Israel However, Misplaced Pages:Sockpuppet_investigations/Kipa_Aduma,_Esq. was closed without action by Bbb23 Note: this is very interesting, User Tiptoety just deleted Misplaced Pages:Sockpuppet_investigations/AnkhMorpork/Archive "pr Misplaced Pages:Courtesy vanishing". What a coincidence..... Huldra (talk) 23:40, 3 July 2014 (UTC) AmirSurfLera (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) Started 21 March 2014, but have only 404 edits. Did not really get active until a month ago, Wikichecker chart: CU Elockid said on 8th of April 2014 this about AmirSurfLera "it is a user who has edited before. I'm not sure if they were blocked for sockpuppetry or indeffed blocked but if memory serves me, I believe this user has been blocked before. I just can't quite point my finger who this is, but they are definitely not new." Elockid has not been blocked for this remark. AmirSurfLera denies having previously edited Misplaced Pages AmirSurfLera is an absolute expert WP:1RR-gamer, just look at these last days: 03:43, 30 June 2014 1st revert on Basic Laws of Israel 03:43, 1 July 2014 2nd revert on Basic Laws of Israel 02:01, 30 June 2014 1st revert on Ariel University 02:04, 1 July 2014 2nd revert on Ariel University Sean.hoyland thinks that Precision123 (see ) = Shamir1 was an AmirSurfLera sock. Shamir1 was an extremely experienced (8K+) wikiaddict (since 2005) who is indeffed. However, Misplaced Pages:Sockpuppet_investigations/AmirSurfLera was closed without action by Bbb23. To Sandstein: I took the liberty of notifying AmirSurfLera here. Cheers, Huldra (talk) 20:33, 1 July 2014 (UTC) Btw, I have spent several hours finding these links, (instead of doing what I love: finding sources for, & writing articles). You so easily say we should "work through the rules". But the I/P area is getting a tsunami of socks, it is impossible to act on them all. We need new rules. And we need those few editors who can actually identify those abusive socks. Like Sean.hoyland can. We do not need admins who only spend a very limited time, looking for some narrow "rule" which is "actionable". These ducks knows every rule to the core. Look at the above expert 1RR-gaming! I´m seriously impressed! In many cases these ducks have been on Misplaced Pages much longer that the admins they are tricking. Please at least comment here: Wikipedia_talk:Arbitration/Requests#IP_area_still_being_swamped_by_socks Cheers, Huldra (talk) 16:59, 1 July 2014 (UTC) As one who (tries to) work and add content in the I/P aera: please do not block any account. Sean.hoyland very rightly observes: "And even if an SPI will likely result in a block, consider that a block is only a temporary inconvenience that can be avoided by simply creating another account. The cost still outweighs the benefit." That is, IMO, quite correct, and a damning inditement of the "present rules". Instead I would very much like to see Kipa Aduma, Esq. and AmirSurfLera topic banned from the I/P era for one year. If they, after that year, have edited productively on other topics on Misplaced Pages, they can ask to be allowed back to Israel/Palestine issues. Cheers, Huldra (talk) 19:52, 7 July 2014 (UTC) Statement by Zero0000 Sean.hoyland is one of the most balanced and valuable editors in the mideast area of Misplaced Pages. Losing him would be a disaster. The pov-pushers would just throw a party and choose their next victim. I urge administrators to take a wider view and act in the interest of the project. Zero 13:14, 1 July 2014 (UTC) Statement by RolandR Like many other editors involved in Middle East articles, I am becoming increasingly frustrated by the proliferation of tendentious, throwaway single-purpose accounts. It seems obvious that many of these accounts are socks, very possibly of banned editors, but it is not always possible to reliably identify the puppeteer. This handicaps our ability to take action to deal with the socks, since Misplaced Pages rules require a complaint to name a puppeteer. In the case of AmirSurfLera, Elockid wrote that this is "a user who has edited before. I'm not sure if they were blocked for sockpuppetry or indeffed blocked but if memory serves me, I believe this user has been blocked before. I just can't quite point my finger who this is, but they are definitely not new", so Sean's comment was neither unfounded nor outrageous. I would suggest that a new procedure is needed for reporting and investigating accounts which are clearly socks, even if the editor submitting the report cannot specify who the puppeteer is. As others have pointed out, this behaviour, which seems to be increasing, taken alongside an apparent tightening of what is considered a revert, is preventing normal constructive editing. If experienced, good-faith editors have to revert non-stop unconstructive edits from these throwaway POV socks, it removes our right to make most other edits to articles. If this continues, all of the decent editors will be driven away, blocked or topic-banned, leaving the field free for trolls, propagandists and other vandals to wreak havoc. RolandR (talk) 16:28, 1 July 2014 (UTC) Statement by Shrike If admins think that users should be banned for being a SPA then most of those who operate now in I/P area should be banned including those who posted comments in this thread.I don't care either way but please let be consistent--Shrike (talk)/WP:RX 20:49, 1 July 2014 (UTC) Statement by Carolmooredc I gave up editing in the area in part because WP:SPI ignored clear evidence of one or more SPA's who probably were socks. It can get frustrating when that happens and is a disincentive to collecting proper evidence. While everything is a judgement call, obviously those who only appear (and reappear under different names) to edit with one view, on one or two related articles, have to be dealt with. If SPA rather than SPI is the best way, please enforce it. Carolmooredc (Talkie-Talkie) 20:23, 2 July 2014 (UTC) Statement by Serialjoepsycho I have to question what this would accomplish. One thing of note that it would do is prevent Sean.hoyland from reverting Kipa Aduma, Esq. I have to say that I agree with the revert in question and it was done by more than editor. I think it might be necessary to ask you admins to review these comments as they were the comments that Sean responded to. While they weren't directed at Sean directly they do seem inciting. I also question if those comments are casting aspersions against Zero. It seems to me to be an Implication of Bad faith editing. I question the emphasis on original research and I'm wondering if his mention of adminship suggests conduct unbecoming of a mod. As for Sean, You have already banned him and it did not work. It is my understanding that discretionary sanctions are not meant to be punishment. They like other sanctions on wikipedia are meant to end disruption. As to my understanding Standard discretionary sanctions apply, I would like to direct you to Misplaced Pages:Arbitration_Committee/Discretionary_sanctions#Placing_sanctions_and_page_restrictions. I'd like to note that Sean's disruption has linked directly to his interaction with Kipa. In the linked policy it does mention interaction bans. My assumption what an interaction ban is a ban on an editor from interacting with another editor. Such a ban could effectively end disruption. Ban both Kipa from and Sean from communicating unless absolutely necessary. Limited exclusively to content and only as necessary. I do not think that Discretionary Sanctions were meant to be used as a blunted object to silence other editors. It seems to me that is exactly what Kipa is doing here.I'd also point to his action here.In this complaint his issue was that Sepsis II committed a 1RR violation. Not that there was an edit war. Not that he even had an issue with the content change. I would also like to point to This where he contacts the mod who banned Sepsis II in that case. I have to point to this as well. Let me be clear however before continuing, I'm not accusing either mod of any improper action. I do question if this amounts to Kipa Misplaced Pages:Gaming_the_system#Gaming_sanctions_for_disruptive_behavior Gaming the system. Note that I personally see Kipa's response to Zero in a similar light to the comments Sean responded with. While contacting these admins may not be wp:canvassing to the letter I wonder if it is in principle. Specifically contacting a admin insure a predetermined outcome. I do find this suspect. It brings into question the overall fairness of the process if you can just walk in and pick your admins to judge the case. Does Kipa have Unclean hands and is this Vexatious? Finally my interpretation of the talk page where this happened is that Ariel university is not in Israel but the land we attribute the name Palestine and in some cases the "State of Palestine". Multiple editors reverted this change multiple times to conform to that consensus. WP:TAGTEAM is an essay that defines a specific form of Meat puppetry. I question if The edits by Kipa Aduma, Esq, AmirSurfLera, and a number of IP's would constitute Meatpuppetry and are in violation of WP:sock. These edits dating back to 04:53, June 16, 2014, and continuing at least until 01:04, July 2, 2014. I apologise for exceeding 500 words. I ask that you review my comments and consider leaving them intact.Serialjoepsycho (talk) 20:51, 4 July 2014 (UTC) Statement by Sepsis I suggest we desysop those admins who are shooting the messengers and ignoring the messages. How many admins here are working on solutions to the major sock problems in the IP area? How many are criticizing and blocking those who are trying to deal with the socks, point out the problem? Sepsis II (talk) 00:20, 8 July 2014 (UTC) Result concerning Sean.hoyland This section is to be edited only by uninvolved administrators. Comments by others will be moved to the section above. I previously sanctioned Sean.hoyland with a brief block and a commenting restriction because, in an earlier AE thread, they repeatedly alleged that Kipa Aduma, Esq., is a sockpuppet, but did not provide evidence in support of that allegation when asked to. Sean.hoyland now continues to repeat that allegation, including on a noticeboard. However, an investigation at Misplaced Pages:Sockpuppet investigations/Kipa Aduma, Esq. has since been closed without action. The continued allegations by Sean.hoyland are therefore personal attacks that impede cooperation in the Israel-Palestine conflict topic area, in which both editors are active. They are not acceptable conduct (see, in particular, WP:ASPERSIONS). In an pseudonymous editing environment, editors are required to assume good faith of one another unless they have actionable evidence to the contrary. I am of the view that a week-long block of Sean.hoyland and a ban from the topic of sockpuppetry in the Arab-Israeli conflict area are indicated. But I'd like to hear the opinion of other admins. Sandstein 09:55, 1 July 2014 (UTC) Whether Kipa Aduma, Esq is a sock of another user or not actually isn't the point here, especially since if they are, they're clever enough to circumvent Checkuser. What can be proved is that they are an account that doesn't edit for long periods of times, and then activates to edit-war and/or insert themselves into contentious issues with a clear POV, almost exclusively on IP subjects. This is pretty much a textbook definition of WP:NOTHERE and that alone, I would say, suggests that an IP topic ban would be a suitable method of preventing future issues with this account. Black ~~Kite~~ kite (talk) 11:16, 1 July 2014 (UTC) If this description of Kipa Aduma, Esq. is correct, then I agree that a topic ban would be suitable. However, nobody has so far made an AE request or submitted evidence to this effect. If such evidence can be supplied here, I'd agree to act on it. Black Kite, I am also interested in your opinion concerning the conduct of Sean.hoyland. Sandstein 11:36, 1 July 2014 (UTC) I think Sean.hoyland has become as frustrated as many others who have posted above by the continual issues in this topic area created by suspicious single-purpose accounts, many of whom - even if they can't be proved to be sockpuppets of other users - are clearly not new users, as Elockid pointed out. As Nishidani says, Elockid's comment may have been taken by SH and others to mean that particular editor was a proven sock (I realize that he didn't quite say that, but the difference was effectively negligible). Effectively, SH went about things the wrong way when dealing with accounts that frankly really do fail the duck test in many ways and whilst he has clearly breached WP:POINT with his second comment, I am not convinced that another sanction is worthwhile, especially given a comment by a Checkuser that suggests exactly what SH is being sanctioned for. Do we really want to reward these SPA accounts for their incitement of good-faith editors? I don't believe so. As for evidence of Kipa Aduma's modus operandi, a simple perusal of their contributions history should be enough. Black ~~Kite~~ kite (talk) 12:11, 1 July 2014 (UTC) Kipa Aduma, Esq.: whilst WP:NOTHERE is a guideline, it links to policies, and the decision that administrators need to make is whether an account is a net positive to Misplaced Pages. Your account, with its persistent POV editing, edit-warring, and running off to this page to attempt to get good-faith editors blocked for opposing you, clearly is not. Having looked at this in detail now, I would recommend a block and/or a topic ban (effectively the same thing) for both this account and AmirSurfLera. Black ~~Kite~~ kite (talk) 19:31, 1 July 2014 (UTC) I don't have a particular objection to these proposed sanctions, if only because I am of the view that one-sided single-purpose editing is in and of itself a violation of the conduct aspect of WP:NPOV, and as such sanctionable misconduct. The 1RR gaming evidence by Huldra is also indicative that these accounts may mostly be here to play games. However, the socking evidence is still non-existent, really, there's just a lot of allegations and suppositions. At any rate, having alternate accounts is not in and of itself sanctionable - only abusing them, such as to avoid scrutiny or sanctions, is. And we'd need evidence for that. Also, if AmirSurfLera is to be sanctioned here, they would need to be notified and allowed to make a statement. At any rate, nothing about this changes my appreciation of the conduct of Sean.hoyland, who I note has said on their talk page that they won't comment here. No matter what others, including checkusers, may have suggested, confrontatively accusing others of misconduct without actionable evidence is not permitted. Sandstein 20:25, 1 July 2014 (UTC) I agree with the first part, but feel that I need to point out that the socking (or not) is irrelevant - it's the disruptive editing that should be taken into account. Whether or not a single-purpose POV edit-warring account is a sock doesn't matter. As regards Sean.hoyland, if a checkuser has (effectively) suggested that an editor is a sock, I don't see how one can sanction anyone else for repeating that claim. Otherwise one would also have to sanction the checkuser. I didn't realise AmirSurfLera had not yet been notified, so that would of course have to be done. Black ~~Kite~~ kite (talk) 20:33, 1 July 2014 (UTC) The checkuser's comment (which may not even be based on checkuser information) does not help Sean.hoyland here. Their disruption, as I see it, lies in repeatedly and in several fora accusing another editor of being a sockpuppet, without providing evidence after being asked to, that is, without even citing the checkuser's comment. Such conduct violates the principle described in WP:ASPERSIONS. Sandstein 22:02, 1 July 2014 (UTC) If an account edits in the manner of a sockpuppet or illegitimate alternative account then they can hardly be offended when they are called out on it. The two accounts being discussed here may belong to good-faith editors who just happen to only visit Misplaced Pages when there is a dispute or edit-warring from a certain POV in the IP area to be done, but to say the least it would not be my first guess. As I say, given the situation my inclination would be to warn SH only. Black ~~Kite~~ kite (talk) 06:14, 2 July 2014 (UTC) In response to Shrike, if there is evidence that any participant to this request is a single-purpose account dedicated only (or almost only) to advancing one side's position of the Arab-Israeli conflict in Misplaced Pages, then you may make a (separate) AE request for sanctions against them. My impression, however, is that this description does not apply to (at least) many participants to this thread, who may have clear sympathies for one side, but are not only dedicated to making edits that favor that side. Sandstein 05:58, 2 July 2014 (UTC) There are two sock puppet investigations that were closed. One is Misplaced Pages:Sockpuppet investigations/Kipa Aduma, Esq., which has been referred to, and the other is Misplaced Pages:Sockpuppet investigations/AmirSurfLera. The Aduma investigation was brought by Callanecc, and none of the listed puppets was found to be technically related by DoRD. The ASL one was brought by Sepsis II (currently blocked and mad as hell about it). It listed Aduma, among others, not on the other list, as puppets. After consulting with DoRD, I closed the report with no action. You can see the closure at the bottom (that was one of things that Sepsis was pissed about). Today, Sean brought a 1RR report against ASL at WP:AN3 (here). There was a lot of back and forth between Sean and a user (User:DanDanT) with very few contributions who openly created an "alternate account" of another user with very few contributions. Dan accused Sean of having unclean hands. Sean accused Dan of being a sock. Sean also made a more generalized comment about socks in the report ("I am attracting socks to the project"). At least one of Sean's motives was to test administrators on their interpretation of 1RR ("I want to see how this pattern of edits is handled and whether they are treated as 1RR violations"); there's some history to that I'm omitting. I would not describe that as a constructive motive. I blocked ASL for one month for the 1RR violation (the duration was based on their recent ARBPIA blocks). I ignored the Dan contretemps, but I did criticize this mentality of seeing socks under every rock. God knows that as an SPI clerk I see a lot of socks, and I'd hardly call my attitude pollyannaish, but I still insist on evidence, and although gut feelings may turn out to be correct, they may also turn out to be wrong. In the context of ARBPIA, although I may not be the most experienced admin in the area, alleging someone is a sock before they've been found to be a sock is, at best, distracting, and, at worst, a personal attack. Just focus on their conduct until an uninvolved administrator or a CU has reached a conclusion. Finally, as to Elockid's comment, it was directed at ASL, and he said (a) they weren't so-and-so, (b) he thinks the user has been blocked before, and (c) they are not new. Now, I would trust Elockid's hunches over an ordinary editor's hunches, just as I would with any CU, but he didn't conclude that ASL was a sock, no matter what people may infer from his remarks. Sorry for the length of these comments, and I'm not sure how helpful they are.--Bbb23 (talk) 20:42, 5 July 2014 (UTC) Without commenting on other issues, I think SH needs a stern warning to the effect of harsh block and/or topic-ban length should SH accuse others of being a sock without providing sufficient reasoning. - Penwhale \| 17:39, 7 July 2014 (UTC) I concur with Penwhale's suggestion and the bulk of BlackKite's proposals above ("I would recommend a block and/or a topic ban (effectively the same thing) for both this account and AmirSurfLera"). --Lord Roem ~ (talk) 19:26, 7 July 2014 (UTC) Per User:Black Kite I agree that we should be imposing ARBPIA topic bans on User talk:AmirSurfLera and User talk:Kipa Aduma, Esq.. Also agree with Penwhale's proposed warning to User:Sean.hoyland. EdJohnston (talk) 20:00, 7 July 2014 (UTC) I, too, concur with this result. Although off-topic, but triggered in part by User:Sepsis II's comment above, I have issued an only warning to Sepsis II on his talk page for personal attacks in these edits. He just came off a one-week ArbCom block.--Bbb23 (talk) 01:47, 8 July 2014 (UTC) If there's no dissenting comments from other uninvolved admins over the next few hours, I'll close this with an indefinite ARBPIA topic ban on User talk:AmirSurfLera and User talk:Kipa Aduma, Esq. (with the ability to appeal after six months) and Penwhale's proposed warning. Lord Roem ~ (talk) 02:38, 8 July 2014 (UTC) Regarding Sepsis II, the request below would be a better place to address it. - Penwhale \| 05:18, 8 July 2014 (UTC)

User talk:AmirSurfLera and User talk:Kipa Aduma, Esq. are banned indefinitely from content related to the Arab-Israeli conflict, broadly construed; they may appeal this after six months. User:Sean.hoyland is warned not to accuse others of being a sock without providing sufficient reasoning. Lord Roem ~ (talk) 06:24, 8 July 2014 (UTC)

The following discussion has been closed. Please do not modify it.

Request concerning Sean.hoyland

User who is submitting this request for enforcement: Kipa Aduma, Esq. (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) 09:14, 1 July 2014 (UTC)

User against whom enforcement is requested: Sean.hoyland (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
Search CT alerts: in user talk history • in system log

Sanction or remedy to be enforced: Misplaced Pages:ARBPIA : Misplaced Pages:Requests_for_arbitration/Palestine-Israel_articles#Standard_discretionary_sanctions

Diffs of edits that violate this sanction or remedy, and an explanation how these edits violate it

06:22, 1 July 2014 First edit after coming off a block for calling me a sock without evidence, repeats the behavior, and says "just to make it crystal clear, I have just done exactly the same thing there that recently resulted in my being blocked for 48 hours by Sandstein for describing a sockpuppet as a sockpuppet. I made it as my very first post-block edit. You are welcome to apply another block. I don't mind"

Diffs of previous relevant sanctions, if any

11:12, 28 June 2014 Block for the same behavior - calling people socks without evidence
08:45, 1 July 2014 Clarification by blocking admin that such behavior constitutes personal attacks, and will be dealt with accordingly

If discretionary sanctions are requested, supply evidence that the user is aware of them (see WP:AC/DS#Awareness and alerts)

Previously given a discretionary sanction for conduct in the area of conflict on 28 June 2014 by Sandstein (talk · contribs · blocks · protections · deletions · page moves · rights · RfA).

Additional comments by editor filing complaint

@Black Kite - WP:NOTHERE, as I am sure you know, is not a Misplaced Pages policy or guideline. My real life work burden prevents me from editing regularly, but I edit when I can. The I-P topic is one my main interests, and when I edit there, I do so without breaking any policies or guidelines, which is more than I can say for the predictable pile-ons by some of the commenters here, or by Sean.hoyland. What policy exactly are you basing your suggestion to topic ban me on?

And to all the editors who are now claiming Sean is merely "frustrated", or "blew his cool", I refer you to his most recent edit: "Editors can do and say anything and take the consequences. I know you probably won't be able to understand this but I haven't made any mistakes. Everything I've done is considered and deliberate". Administrators on this board have, as far as I can tell, two options: They can ivent an excuse to block be , not based on Misplaced Pages policy, while letting an editor brazenly thumb their nose at this site's policies regarding personal attacks, and allow them to continue, in a calculated and deliberate way to drive contributors like me, whose opinions they don't like off the project. In the process, they will of course make a mockery of Sandstein's original block for this kind of behavior and their subsequent declaration that the rules are clear and that such personal attacks will be "dealt with accordingly" ; or they can start enforcing the rules without making excuses on behalf of supposedly useful contributors.

@Black Kite & Sandstein: If one-sided editing is grounds for a topic ban, then as Shrike notes below, every single one of the commenters on this case needs to be topic banned. Shall I provide you with the evidence?

@Sandstein: re: editors who "have clear sympathies for one side, but are not only dedicated to making edits that favor that side. " - if you are referring to their edits within the I-P topic area, that is incorrect. Those edits are uniformly one-sided. If you are referring to the fact that (some) of them may also contribute to other part of the encyclopedia- would it matter if I undertook to significantly increase my edits outside the I-P area, to the level of say, RolandR?

Notification of the user against whom enforcement is requested

Discussion concerning Sean.hoyland

Statement by Sean.hoyland

I wasn't planning to comment here for various reasons, but having just read through it, some comments caught my eye and I find them a little disturbing.

Regarding Misplaced Pages:Sockpuppet investigations/Kipa Aduma, Esq./Archive - the lesson there is, don't file SPI reports unless there is a high probability that they will result in a block because the cost outweighs the benefit. And even if an SPI will likely result in a block, consider that a block is only a temporary inconvenience that can be avoided by simply creating another account. The cost still outweighs the benefit.
Who is Kipa Aduma, Esq. ? I don't know. There are several possibilities, and none of them were included in the SPI report. A likely motive for creating the account was to target what they believe (and in a couple of cases I agree) are examples of POV pushing and sockpuppetry in the topic area probably because they have been around long enough to understand that, given the ineffective measures in place to tackle these issues, it is necessary. This kind of vigilantism is common in ARBPIA because it's not adequently policed and the cost of addressing it using the current methods exceeds the benefit. Their first edit targeted Dalai lama ding dong (a legitimate target in my view), during an edit war at 1929 Palestine riots, an article whose history is littered with socks, many confirmed via SPI. They also targeted socks HistorNE and Aa42shirley, also legitimate targets. Unfortunately, they also target and personally attack decent editors who follow policy and it's this aspect, common in ARBPIA, that is disruptive.
Although I think SPI is ineffective, if people insist on using SPI for fishing expeditions then the account should be checked against as many accounts as possible that have a troubled history in the topic area. Narrow it down by looking at the behavioral evidence. Who is likely to use a phrase like 'really as simple as that' ? Could be Breein1007 or NoCal100, or me. Who likes to use the term 'friggin' ? Lots of people. Wikifan12345 was always fond of it but never struck me as the socking type. Who has a sufficient level of vidictiveness and/or pettyness to patrol ARBPIA using civilian cover picking off people they don't like ? Several people are capable of that; NoCal100, Breein1007, Dajudem/Tiundrabuggy/Stellarkid, AnkhMorpork, Historicist and sadly many many more. I'm not going to file an SPI report because I know from experience that it is probably a waste of time. Someone else can if they wish.
Regarding Misplaced Pages:Sockpuppet_investigations/AmirSurfLera, those accounts are not related to AmirSurfLera. I will file an SPI report that will list Shamir1 as the master and Precision123 as the sock abandoned to facilitate a return to ARBPIA as AmirSurfLera. But I'll only do that if it becomes absolutely necessary because it relies on a substantial amount of data. Sometimes it's easier to address issues by focusing on the problems caused by an editors personal views, and blocking isn't guaranteed to stop an editor for very long (although it does interfere with the collection of evidence needed for SPIs).
I understand admins desire to stick to procedure. Admins should do whatever they think is in the best interests of the project. I would encourage admins to start using the discretion that the discretionary sanctions give them to deal with the systemic problems because sticking to procedure hasn't worked. I'd also encourage any admins who want to handle ARBPIA related reports to spend time as an involved editor making a substantial number of edits before returning to an uninvolved status. Spend time finding out what editors in ARBPIA put up with. Get a flavor of the topic area by looking at how editors ignore the existence of WP:NOTADVOCATE everyday e.g. Talk:Rachel_Corrie now.
Lastly I want to address Bbb23's comment 'I would not describe that as a constructive motive.' I disagree and with respect I don't think it matters how you see it because it's much more important than that. In another recent edit warring report here, an editor was not blocked. The result was inconsistent with a recent clarification of the rules. That's okay and unsurprising. I asked "Would it be possible for admins to initiate an discussion between admins to settle this once and for all so that there is clarity and consistency ?" Nothing happened, so I carried out an experiment. I'm a humble geoscientist, not an activist or a lawyer, so it was perfectly natural for me to use that approach. These cases clarify 1RR, something that affects every edit and editor in ARBPIA, something that is far more important than what happens to me as a result of this AE report, which really doesn't matter at all in the scheme of things.

Sean.hoyland - talk 09:47, 7 July 2014 (UTC)

Statement by Nomoskedasticity

Four days after this editor's "debut", Ohiostandard (talk · contribs) left a message noting the suspicion of socking. Just sayin'. Nomoskedasticity (talk) 09:23, 1 July 2014 (UTC)

So do y'all think that the editor is not a sock?? That would be a tad ridiculous, no? Nomoskedasticity (talk) 09:59, 1 July 2014 (UTC)

Statement by Nishidani

Okay. The most astute, informed and relatively untarnished SPI/IP/ abuse account expert in the I(P area has blown his cool. His edit summary is, self-evidently, a request for a perma-ban because of his outrage (shared, I would add) at the extraordinary sanction applied to him for what was deemed a WP:AGF infraction, in an area where I don't even note any more the insults that fly my way, or make formal protests here or at AN/1. He feels, one gathers, that his record was blemished by an intense focus on a technical piece of the minutiae of good faith protocols, to the exclusion of what everyone knows. There is something extremely odd about the Kipa Aduma account, as there is about AmirSurfLera's and his edits are a disaster. The point that tipped his detachment lies here. He thought in the Sepsis case that he was in his rights to call an editor a sock (multiple account user) on the basis of an assurance given to him by an experienced checkuser that AmirSurfLera, despite his denials, had worked on wikipedia under another account. Several people thought that SH's inference was absolutely rational. Sandstein did not. I laid out the point here in the the Sepsis case just prior to the Kipa Aduma case:

SH's comments about ASL's (putative) sockpuppetry ('The use of multiple Misplaced Pages user accounts for an improper purpose') appear to draw on Elockid's checkuser judgement that 'it is a user who has edited before', which AmirSurfLera is on record as denying. If those comments consist of an inference, unproven and therefore unwarranted, then there might be a case for SH's short suspension for disruptiveness. If they stem not from personal guesswork, but rather, as would appear to be the case, from taking an experienced admin's judgement as objective, then it is hard to understand the severity.

Two other expressly noted the formal problem as I noted here.

Three editors now Roland R, myself and Dlv999 have asked for clarification of why SH's use of Elockid's statement to assert something quite specific, that ASL has edited wiki before adopting a new handle, is sanctionable. This is important since SH is virtually the only experienced editor in this troubled area who tracks the extremely problematical and intricate patterns of socking there. A ban that is not tightly argued and reasonable beyond dispute risks effectively maiming our ability to defend wikipedia from the large number of socks, meatpuppets and pseudo-newbies who barge in almost daily. This is not special pleading for SH, nor is it partisan. It is special pleading to not make the work of editors in this area even more sisyphean than it already it.

The case was closed without any consideration given to a point independently raised by myself,RolandR, and Dlv999. The refusal to answer the point may be al legitimate exercise in discretional insouciance to what is deemed a technical irrerlevance. But we peons would reply that Sandstein's reading, and tacit dismissal, has left (a) editors not knowing any longer whether they can trust checkuser assurances and (b) SH (I don't know who he is and we have never corresponded, for the record) so pissed off he is apparently willing to challenge the arbitrator, by a formally suicidal edit summary. So, while technical a severe sanction is a quick mechanical consequence, a refusal to address several complaints about what long-term editors think is a vizio di forma or legal flaw at the basis of SH's ban is, inevitably, going to deprive the area of its most experienced technician for detecting the viral plague that makes work in this, excuse me, cesspit of corrupt editing, almost intolerable. A case of overattention to one detail, itself disputed, Sandstein, which now looks like having a drastically negative impact on the I/P area's functionality. Nishidani (talk) 10:34, 1 July 2014 (UTC)

BK. Quite correct that 'Whether Kipa Aduma, Esq is a sock of another user or not actually isn't the point here'. But since, he is one of two editors whom almost all in the area from detailed experience consider uncannily like a duck, and, having escaped challenge, now is setting his sights on outing an editor with an outstanding record for contributing to the sanity of this place, the complaint he lays certainly demands that we look at why SeanH's remark arose: the point then is also: was SH's inference, which led to the sanction in the first place, proper or not. No answer has been given, and a large number of editors are puzzled. I have great respect for Sandstein's almost Olympian judgement, the ability to cut to the chase, as repeated over the years. Here, I must admit, I think that meticulousness saw one (small) problem, and ignored what many thought an obvious issue as though it were impertinent in both senses- namely, the statement by Elockid which most of us read as validating the idea that ASL had, contrary to his protestations, edited under another name, and therefore was a sock. Surely that statement by Elockid and SH's logical assumption that it constituted a clear-cut basis for his own remark, requires reanalysis. There's nothing personal in this, or partisan. One's sense of how to read things is destablized if this remains obscure. Nishidani (talk) 11:43, 1 July 2014 (UTC)

Statement by Huldra

A doctor in my country recently had to stand trial for drunk-driving. He was the only doctor on an isolated island. One late Saturday night, he got a phone-call about an emergency. Even though he had taken two glasses of wine, (thereby clearly breaking our very strict drunk-driving laws) he sat himself in the car (there was nobody else there to drive him) and got to the patient.

He was freed at the trial, as the Judge noted that that nobody was hurt by his driving, and that the patient would surely have died if he had not got there. Nobody criticised the judge, but the patient had really, really been lucky.

Undoubtedly, many doctors would have said "rules are rules!" -and refused to drive.

CU Elockid said this about AmirSurfLera here. To Sandstein: Is it a blocable offence to repeat that? Is it an offence to link to it? Sickly patients wants to know. Cheers, Huldra (talk) 11:22, 1 July 2014 (UTC)

Everyone, (including me), seems to mix up Kipa Aduma, Esq. and AmirSurfLera. No wonder. Lets sum it up:

Kipa Aduma, Esq. (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
- Started editing 10 June 2012, but has only 163 edits: long dormant period. 1st edit a revert.
- On the 11 June 2012, Kipa Aduma, Esq. was named as a possible sock of AnkhMorpork, by Oncenawhile, see Misplaced Pages:Sockpuppet_investigations/AnkhMorpork/Archive
- On the 13th June 2012 Kipa Aduma, Esq. was referred to as an "obvious socks" on WP:AN/I by OhioStandard (link). OhioStandard was not blocked for this. And Kipa Aduma, Esq. somehow follows/is informed about what goes on WP:AN/I after three days on wikipedia, as they referred to it on their talk-page.
- Wikichecker chart:
- AmirSurfLera and Kipa Aduma, Esq. typically reverts with the same POV, on the same pages:
- 05:25, 29 June 2014 revert on Ariel University
- 06:18, 1 July 2014 revert on Ariel University
- 04:28, 30 June 2014 revert on Basic Laws of Israel
- 08:57, 1 July 2014 revert on Basic Laws of Israel
- However, Misplaced Pages:Sockpuppet_investigations/Kipa_Aduma,_Esq. was closed without action by Bbb23

Note: this is *very* interesting, User Tiptoety just deleted Misplaced Pages:Sockpuppet_investigations/AnkhMorpork/Archive "pr Misplaced Pages:Courtesy vanishing". What a coincidence..... Huldra (talk) 23:40, 3 July 2014 (UTC)

AmirSurfLera (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
- Started 21 March 2014, but have only 404 edits. Did not really get active until a month ago,
- Wikichecker chart:
- CU Elockid said on 8th of April 2014 this about AmirSurfLera "it is a user who has edited before. I'm not sure if they were blocked for sockpuppetry or indeffed blocked but if memory serves me, I believe this user has been blocked before. I just can't quite point my finger who this is, but they are definitely not new." Elockid has not been blocked for this remark.
- AmirSurfLera denies having previously edited Misplaced Pages
- AmirSurfLera is an absolute expert WP:1RR-gamer, just look at these last days:
- 03:43, 30 June 2014 1st revert on Basic Laws of Israel
- 03:43, 1 July 2014 2nd revert on Basic Laws of Israel
- 02:01, 30 June 2014 1st revert on Ariel University
- 02:04, 1 July 2014 2nd revert on Ariel University
- Sean.hoyland thinks that Precision123 (see ) = Shamir1 was an AmirSurfLera sock. Shamir1 was an extremely experienced (8K+) wikiaddict (since 2005) who is indeffed. However, Misplaced Pages:Sockpuppet_investigations/AmirSurfLera was closed without action by Bbb23.

To Sandstein: I took the liberty of notifying AmirSurfLera here. Cheers, Huldra (talk) 20:33, 1 July 2014 (UTC)

Btw, I have spent several hours finding these links, (instead of doing what I love: finding sources for, & writing articles). You so easily say we should "work through the rules". But the I/P area is getting a tsunami of socks, it is impossible to act on them all. We *need* new rules. And we need those few editors who can actually identify those abusive socks. Like Sean.hoyland can.

We do *not* need admins who only spend a *very* limited time, looking for some narrow "rule" which is "actionable". These ducks knows every rule to the core. Look at the above expert 1RR-gaming! I´m seriously impressed! In many cases these ducks have been on Misplaced Pages much longer that the admins they are tricking.

Please at least comment here: Wikipedia_talk:Arbitration/Requests#IP_area_still_being_swamped_by_socks Cheers, Huldra (talk) 16:59, 1 July 2014 (UTC)

As one who (tries to) work and add content in the I/P aera: please do not block any account. Sean.hoyland very rightly observes: "And even if an SPI will likely result in a block, consider that a block is only a temporary inconvenience that can be avoided by simply creating another account. The cost still outweighs the benefit." That is, IMO, quite correct, and a damning inditement of the "present rules".

Instead I would very much like to see Kipa Aduma, Esq. and AmirSurfLera topic banned from the I/P era for one year. If they, after that year, have edited productively on other topics on Misplaced Pages, they can ask to be allowed back to Israel/Palestine issues. Cheers, Huldra (talk) 19:52, 7 July 2014 (UTC)

Statement by Zero0000

Sean.hoyland is one of the most balanced and valuable editors in the mideast area of Misplaced Pages. Losing him would be a disaster. The pov-pushers would just throw a party and choose their next victim. I urge administrators to take a wider view and act in the interest of the project. Zero 13:14, 1 July 2014 (UTC)

Statement by RolandR

Like many other editors involved in Middle East articles, I am becoming increasingly frustrated by the proliferation of tendentious, throwaway single-purpose accounts. It seems obvious that many of these accounts are socks, very possibly of banned editors, but it is not always possible to reliably identify the puppeteer. This handicaps our ability to take action to deal with the socks, since Misplaced Pages rules require a complaint to name a puppeteer. In the case of AmirSurfLera, Elockid wrote that this is "a user who has edited before. I'm not sure if they were blocked for sockpuppetry or indeffed blocked but if memory serves me, I believe this user has been blocked before. I just can't quite point my finger who this is, but they are definitely not new", so Sean's comment was neither unfounded nor outrageous. I would suggest that a new procedure is needed for reporting and investigating accounts which are clearly socks, even if the editor submitting the report cannot specify who the puppeteer is.

As others have pointed out, this behaviour, which seems to be increasing, taken alongside an apparent tightening of what is considered a revert, is preventing normal constructive editing. If experienced, good-faith editors have to revert non-stop unconstructive edits from these throwaway POV socks, it removes our right to make most other edits to articles. If this continues, all of the decent editors will be driven away, blocked or topic-banned, leaving the field free for trolls, propagandists and other vandals to wreak havoc. RolandR (talk) 16:28, 1 July 2014 (UTC)

Statement by Shrike

If admins think that users should be banned for being a SPA then most of those who operate now in I/P area should be banned including those who posted comments in this thread.I don't care either way but please let be consistent--Shrike (talk)/WP:RX 20:49, 1 July 2014 (UTC)

Statement by Carolmooredc

I gave up editing in the area in part because WP:SPI ignored clear evidence of one or more SPA's who probably were socks. It can get frustrating when that happens and is a disincentive to collecting proper evidence. While everything is a judgement call, obviously those who only appear (and reappear under different names) to edit with one view, on one or two related articles, have to be dealt with. If SPA rather than SPI is the best way, please enforce it. Carolmooredc (Talkie-Talkie) 20:23, 2 July 2014 (UTC)

Statement by Serialjoepsycho

I have to question what this would accomplish. One thing of note that it would do is prevent Sean.hoyland from reverting Kipa Aduma, Esq. I have to say that I agree with the revert in question and it was done by more than editor. I think it might be necessary to ask you admins to review these comments as they were the comments that Sean responded to. While they weren't directed at Sean directly they do seem inciting. I also question if those comments are casting aspersions against Zero. It seems to me to be an Implication of Bad faith editing. I question the emphasis on original research and I'm wondering if his mention of adminship suggests conduct unbecoming of a mod.

As for Sean, You have already banned him and it did not work. It is my understanding that discretionary sanctions are not meant to be punishment. They like other sanctions on wikipedia are meant to end disruption. As to my understanding Standard discretionary sanctions apply, I would like to direct you to Misplaced Pages:Arbitration_Committee/Discretionary_sanctions#Placing_sanctions_and_page_restrictions. I'd like to note that Sean's disruption has linked directly to his interaction with Kipa. In the linked policy it does mention interaction bans. My assumption what an interaction ban is a ban on an editor from interacting with another editor. Such a ban could effectively end disruption. Ban both Kipa from and Sean from communicating unless absolutely necessary. Limited exclusively to content and only as necessary.

I do not think that Discretionary Sanctions were meant to be used as a blunted object to silence other editors. It seems to me that is exactly what Kipa is doing here.I'd also point to his action here.In this complaint his issue was that Sepsis II committed a 1RR violation. Not that there was an edit war. Not that he even had an issue with the content change. I would also like to point to This where he contacts the mod who banned Sepsis II in that case. I have to point to this as well. Let me be clear however before continuing, I'm not accusing either mod of any improper action. I do question if this amounts to Kipa Misplaced Pages:Gaming_the_system#Gaming_sanctions_for_disruptive_behavior Gaming the system. Note that I personally see Kipa's response to Zero in a similar light to the comments Sean responded with. While contacting these admins may not be wp:canvassing to the letter I wonder if it is in principle. Specifically contacting a admin insure a predetermined outcome. I do find this suspect. It brings into question the overall fairness of the process if you can just walk in and pick your admins to judge the case. Does Kipa have Unclean hands and is this Vexatious?

Finally my interpretation of the talk page where this happened is that Ariel university is not in Israel but the land we attribute the name Palestine and in some cases the "State of Palestine". Multiple editors reverted this change multiple times to conform to that consensus. WP:TAGTEAM is an essay that defines a specific form of Meat puppetry. I question if The edits by Kipa Aduma, Esq, AmirSurfLera, and a number of IP's would constitute Meatpuppetry and are in violation of WP:sock. These edits dating back to 04:53, June 16, 2014, and continuing at least until 01:04, July 2, 2014.

I apologise for exceeding 500 words. I ask that you review my comments and consider leaving them intact.Serialjoepsycho (talk) 20:51, 4 July 2014 (UTC)

Statement by Sepsis

I suggest we desysop those admins who are shooting the messengers and ignoring the messages. How many admins here are working on solutions to the major sock problems in the IP area? How many are criticizing and blocking those who are trying to deal with the socks, point out the problem? Sepsis II (talk) 00:20, 8 July 2014 (UTC)

Result concerning Sean.hoyland

This section is to be edited only by uninvolved administrators. Comments by others will be moved to the section above.

I previously sanctioned Sean.hoyland with a brief block and a commenting restriction because, in an earlier AE thread, they repeatedly alleged that Kipa Aduma, Esq., is a sockpuppet, but did not provide evidence in support of that allegation when asked to. Sean.hoyland now continues to repeat that allegation, including on a noticeboard. However, an investigation at Misplaced Pages:Sockpuppet investigations/Kipa Aduma, Esq. has since been closed without action. The continued allegations by Sean.hoyland are therefore personal attacks that impede cooperation in the Israel-Palestine conflict topic area, in which both editors are active. They are not acceptable conduct (see, in particular, WP:ASPERSIONS). In an pseudonymous editing environment, editors are required to assume good faith of one another unless they have actionable evidence to the contrary. I am of the view that a week-long block of Sean.hoyland and a ban from the topic of sockpuppetry in the Arab-Israeli conflict area are indicated. But I'd like to hear the opinion of other admins. Sandstein 09:55, 1 July 2014 (UTC)

Whether Kipa Aduma, Esq is a sock of another user or not actually isn't the point here, especially since if they are, they're clever enough to circumvent Checkuser. What can be proved is that they are an account that doesn't edit for long periods of times, and then activates to edit-war and/or insert themselves into contentious issues with a clear POV, almost exclusively on IP subjects. This is pretty much a textbook definition of WP:NOTHERE and that alone, I would say, suggests that an IP topic ban would be a suitable method of preventing future issues with this account. Black ~~Kite~~ kite (talk) 11:16, 1 July 2014 (UTC)

If this description of Kipa Aduma, Esq. is correct, then I agree that a topic ban would be suitable. However, nobody has so far made an AE request or submitted evidence to this effect. If such evidence can be supplied here, I'd agree to act on it. Black Kite, I am also interested in your opinion concerning the conduct of Sean.hoyland. Sandstein 11:36, 1 July 2014 (UTC)

I think Sean.hoyland has become as frustrated as many others who have posted above by the continual issues in this topic area created by suspicious single-purpose accounts, many of whom - even if they can't be proved to be sockpuppets of other users - are clearly not new users, as Elockid pointed out. As Nishidani says, Elockid's comment may have been taken by SH and others to mean that particular editor was a proven sock (I realize that he didn't quite say that, but the difference was effectively negligible). Effectively, SH went about things the wrong way when dealing with accounts that frankly really do fail the duck test in many ways and whilst he has clearly breached WP:POINT with his second comment, I am not convinced that another sanction is worthwhile, especially given a comment by a Checkuser that suggests exactly what SH is being sanctioned for. Do we really want to reward these SPA accounts for their incitement of good-faith editors? I don't believe so. As for evidence of Kipa Aduma's modus operandi, a simple perusal of their contributions history should be enough. Black ~~Kite~~ kite (talk) 12:11, 1 July 2014 (UTC)

Kipa Aduma, Esq.: whilst WP:NOTHERE is a guideline, it links to policies, and the decision that administrators need to make is whether an account is a net positive to Misplaced Pages. Your account, with its persistent POV editing, edit-warring, and running off to this page to attempt to get good-faith editors blocked for opposing you, clearly is not. Having looked at this in detail now, I would recommend a block and/or a topic ban (effectively the same thing) for both this account and AmirSurfLera. Black ~~Kite~~ kite (talk) 19:31, 1 July 2014 (UTC)

I don't have a particular objection to these proposed sanctions, if only because I am of the view that one-sided single-purpose editing is in and of itself a violation of the conduct aspect of WP:NPOV, and as such sanctionable misconduct. The 1RR gaming evidence by Huldra is also indicative that these accounts may mostly be here to play games. However, the socking evidence is still non-existent, really, there's just a lot of allegations and suppositions. At any rate, having alternate accounts is not in and of itself sanctionable - only abusing them, such as to avoid scrutiny or sanctions, is. And we'd need evidence for that. Also, if AmirSurfLera is to be sanctioned here, they would need to be notified and allowed to make a statement. At any rate, nothing about this changes my appreciation of the conduct of Sean.hoyland, who I note has said on their talk page that they won't comment here. No matter what others, including checkusers, may have suggested, confrontatively accusing others of misconduct without actionable evidence is not permitted. Sandstein 20:25, 1 July 2014 (UTC)

I agree with the first part, but feel that I need to point out that the socking (or not) is irrelevant - it's the disruptive editing that should be taken into account. Whether or not a single-purpose POV edit-warring account is a sock doesn't matter. As regards Sean.hoyland, if a checkuser has (effectively) suggested that an editor is a sock, I don't see how one can sanction anyone else for repeating that claim. Otherwise one would also have to sanction the checkuser. I didn't realise AmirSurfLera had not yet been notified, so that would of course have to be done. Black ~~Kite~~ kite (talk) 20:33, 1 July 2014 (UTC)

The checkuser's comment (which may not even be based on checkuser information) does not help Sean.hoyland here. Their disruption, as I see it, lies in repeatedly and in several fora accusing another editor of being a sockpuppet, without providing evidence after being asked to, that is, without even citing the checkuser's comment. Such conduct violates the principle described in WP:ASPERSIONS. Sandstein 22:02, 1 July 2014 (UTC)

If an account edits in the manner of a sockpuppet or illegitimate alternative account then they can hardly be offended when they are called out on it. The two accounts being discussed here may belong to good-faith editors who just happen to only visit Misplaced Pages when there is a dispute or edit-warring from a certain POV in the IP area to be done, but to say the least it would not be my first guess. As I say, given the situation my inclination would be to warn SH only. Black ~~Kite~~ kite (talk) 06:14, 2 July 2014 (UTC)

In response to Shrike, if there is evidence that any participant to this request is a single-purpose account dedicated only (or almost only) to advancing one side's position of the Arab-Israeli conflict in Misplaced Pages, then you may make a (separate) AE request for sanctions against them. My impression, however, is that this description does not apply to (at least) many participants to this thread, who may have clear sympathies for one side, but are not only dedicated to making edits that favor that side. Sandstein 05:58, 2 July 2014 (UTC)

There are two sock puppet investigations that were closed. One is Misplaced Pages:Sockpuppet investigations/Kipa Aduma, Esq., which has been referred to, and the other is Misplaced Pages:Sockpuppet investigations/AmirSurfLera. The Aduma investigation was brought by Callanecc, and none of the listed puppets was found to be technically related by DoRD. The ASL one was brought by Sepsis II (currently blocked and mad as hell about it). It listed Aduma, among others, not on the other list, as puppets. After consulting with DoRD, I closed the report with no action. You can see the closure at the bottom (that was one of things that Sepsis was pissed about).

Today, Sean brought a 1RR report against ASL at WP:AN3 (here). There was a lot of back and forth between Sean and a user (User:DanDanT) with very few contributions who openly created an "alternate account" of another user with very few contributions. Dan accused Sean of having unclean hands. Sean accused Dan of being a sock. Sean also made a more generalized comment about socks in the report ("I am attracting socks to the project"). At least one of Sean's motives was to test administrators on their interpretation of 1RR ("I want to see how this pattern of edits is handled and whether they are treated as 1RR violations"); there's some history to that I'm omitting. I would not describe that as a constructive motive. I blocked ASL for one month for the 1RR violation (the duration was based on their recent ARBPIA blocks). I ignored the Dan contretemps, but I did criticize this mentality of seeing socks under every rock. God knows that as an SPI clerk I see a lot of socks, and I'd hardly call my attitude pollyannaish, but I still insist on evidence, and although gut feelings may turn out to be correct, they may also turn out to be wrong. In the context of ARBPIA, although I may not be the most experienced admin in the area, alleging someone is a sock before they've been found to be a sock is, at best, distracting, and, at worst, a personal attack. Just focus on their conduct until an uninvolved administrator or a CU has reached a conclusion.

Finally, as to Elockid's comment, it was directed at ASL, and he said (a) they weren't so-and-so, (b) he thinks the user has been blocked before, and (c) they are not new. Now, I would trust Elockid's hunches over an ordinary editor's hunches, just as I would with any CU, but he didn't conclude that ASL was a sock, no matter what people may infer from his remarks. Sorry for the length of these comments, and I'm not sure how helpful they are.--Bbb23 (talk) 20:42, 5 July 2014 (UTC)

Without commenting on other issues, I think SH needs a stern warning to the effect of harsh block and/or topic-ban length should SH accuse others of being a sock without providing sufficient reasoning. - Penwhale | 17:39, 7 July 2014 (UTC)
I concur with Penwhale's suggestion and the bulk of BlackKite's proposals above ("I would recommend a block and/or a topic ban (effectively the same thing) for both this account and AmirSurfLera"). --Lord Roem ~ (talk) 19:26, 7 July 2014 (UTC)

Per User:Black Kite I agree that we should be imposing ARBPIA topic bans on User talk:AmirSurfLera and User talk:Kipa Aduma, Esq.. Also agree with Penwhale's proposed warning to User:Sean.hoyland. EdJohnston (talk) 20:00, 7 July 2014 (UTC)

I, too, concur with this result. Although off-topic, but triggered in part by User:Sepsis II's comment above, I have issued an only warning to Sepsis II on his talk page for personal attacks in these edits. He just came off a one-week ArbCom block.--Bbb23 (talk) 01:47, 8 July 2014 (UTC)

If there's no dissenting comments from other uninvolved admins over the next few hours, I'll close this with an indefinite ARBPIA topic ban on User talk:AmirSurfLera and User talk:Kipa Aduma, Esq. (with the ability to appeal after six months) and Penwhale's proposed warning. Lord Roem ~ (talk) 02:38, 8 July 2014 (UTC)
Regarding Sepsis II, the request below would be a better place to address it. - Penwhale | 05:18, 8 July 2014 (UTC)

Scalhotrod

Request concerning Scalhotrod

User who is submitting this request for enforcement: Lightbreather (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) 21:46, 1 July 2014 (UTC)

User against whom enforcement is requested: Scalhotrod (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
Search CT alerts: in user talk history • in system log

Sanction or remedy to be enforced

Misplaced Pages:Arbitration/Requests/Case/Gun control#Discretionary sanctions

Diffs of edits that violate this sanction, and an explanation how these edits violate it

Scalhotrod repeatedly deleting the same info, not discussing, using only WP:REVTALK:

08:01, 6 June 2014 First delete of info.
07:53, 7 June 2014 Scal deleting discussion I started on his talk page, without reply (except for snarky edit summary, "Cleanup.")
17:51, 9 June 2014 2nd delete breaks WP:TALKDONTREVERT
18:51, 9 June 2014 3rd delete - edit summary: "Clean up" - not how to summarize
22:50, 9 June 2014 Scal deleting second discussion I started on his talk page, without reply, again (except for snarky "Cleanup" edit summary, again).
08:29, 10 June 2014 4th delete again breaks TALKDONTREVERT (Consensus-building in talk pages)
08:34, 10 June 2014 5th delete "
11:59, 11 June 2014 6th delete "
10:49, 12 June 2014 edit summary: "its only fuel for the fire..." Scal's WP:PERSONAL revtalk and reply to TransporterMan about me after he (TM) asked Scal to talk with me. (I thought Scal was done with this behavior.)
12:42, 30 June 2014 7th delete again breaks TALKDONTREVERT
08:05, 1 July 2014 8th delete - edit summary: "No consensus to keep."
08:32, 1 July 2014 9th delete again breaks TALKDONTREVERT
08:59, 1 July 2014 10th delete "
10:00, 1 July 2014 11th delete - es: "No consensus means no consensus" inaccurate revtalk (after I restored material with es: "No consensus means keep, not delete.")
13:36, 7 July 2014 Adding this recent edit per Serialjoepsycho. In this one, Scal accuses me of "admitting to POV editing and adding content that is WP:UNDUE...."

Most of the edit summaries I did not copy have to do with his opinion that OpenSecrets is not reliable. Please see below for diffs to my attempts to talk about dispute.

If discretionary sanctions are requested, supply evidence that the user is aware of them (see WP:AC/DS#Awareness and alerts)

Alerted about discretionary sanctions in the area of conflict in the last twelve months, on 6 May 2014 by Callanecc.

>>> The following comment added to this section by Scalhotrod >>> resulting from this ANI--Scalhotrod - Just your average banjo playing, drag racing, cowboy... (Talk) 03:08, 3 July 2014 (UTC)

Additional comments by editor filing complaint

11:30, 6 June 2014 - Me starting a DISCUSSION on Scal's talk page: . (I also added a suggestion to this discussion about use of the term "clean up," which he continues to ignore, as shown in his edit summaries above.)

19:09, 9 June 2014 - Me starting a second DISCUSSION on Scal's talk page:

09:12, 10 June 2014 - Me starting a DISCUSSION on the NRA talk page about the OpenSecrets material: . Scal did not reply.

09:27, 10 June 2014 - Me starting a DISCUSSION on the NRA talk page about the Senate confirmations material: . Scal did not reply.

11:45, 11 June 2014 - Me asking for a 3O re the OpenSecrets material:

14:40, 11 June 2014 - 3O editor TransporterMan asking Scal to talk with me:

By his actions it is clear that he is not editing "in an atmosphere of camaraderie and mutual respect." Also, that he is not allowing the addition of reliable, verifiable, NPOV, and due criticism to the NRA article against WP:V, WP:NPOV, and WP:DUE. He does not discuss, so no consensus can be reached, and he may be "Attempting to exhaust or drive off editors who disagree through hostile conduct, rather than through legitimate dispute-resolution methods...."

I have made numerous efforts to work with him, and I'm tired of wasting my time dealing with him. Please help.

Was it OK for Scalhotrod to make these edits, which modified my section of this discussion/process?
Oh, and forgive me, but since Scal found it necessary to drag witnesses into this, I'll ping a few, who can perhaps help to put things into persepective, if that becomes necessary: StarryGrandma, Thenub314, and AndyTheGrump.

>>> The following question added to this Section by Scalhotrod >>> * I am familiar with Thenub and Andy, but who is StarryGrandma?--Scalhotrod - Just your average banjo playing, drag racing, cowboy... (Talk) 18:08, 7 July 2014 (UTC)

I'm not sure where Drmies picked up the "verbose" thing, but if that's what Scal is calling me, then it's a case of the pot calling the kettle black. Take for instance his reply below (04:07, 3 July 2014): almost 700 words, and not one addresses the diffs I gave above. His first two links are to me saying I see myself as an article steward, not an owner. The third link is to a nearly 8-month-old ANI that nearly boomeranged on the editor who brought it against me. (It is also another example of pro-gun editors - three of whom are now topic banned - talking about my behavior, without diffs.) The fourth is about what Scal calls my "stance." (Again, Scal is trying to paint me as an editor who has a POV - we all do, that is of no matter - and who can't edit for NPOV, which does matter and in my case is untrue.) Fifth, I don't think he should be dragging behaviors related to his renaming of the Assault weapons ban article (to Assault weapons legislation) unless he wants to put his behavior in that mess under the spotlight. And as for his being the first to extend an olive branch, that was after I took him to ANI for multiple personal attacks without evidence. And I went there as a last resort, after he kept speaking badly about me - as he's done below - at just about every opportunity he had, whether it was an appropriate forum or not. I kept talking to him about this and asking him to stop and he didn't, so I went to ANI. Finally, I do edit a lot of gun related pages, as do many other editors, but I do not edit only gun related article. He has enough WP experience to figure that out, so why does he write that he "can't find a single edit that isn't gun-related"? (Answer, as I have learned: He exaggerates.)
Now, can we get back to the items I brought up first? If we're going to talk about me, I'd prefer a separate discussion. (I've made the same request before, but he hasn't respected it. And since he feels entitled to judge me I'll say this: He has edited many dozens of porn articles and, IMO, he doesn't have much respect for women.)
Here is an example of the behavior I'm talking about: . If he or Mike has evidence for a complaint, bring it on and quit gossiping about me like children. Lightbreather (talk) 23:18, 3 July 2014 (UTC)

Notification of the user against whom enforcement is requested

I notified Scalhotrod with this edit on his talk page:

Discussion concerning Scalhotrod

Statement by Scalhotrod

Question for the Admins

Every time that the accuser makes changes to the Sanction or remedy to be enforced, should I respond again?
Is the accuser allowed to make personal attacks (Ad hominem) during this process like she did here where she states, "He has edited many dozens of porn articles and, IMO, he doesn't have much respect for women."?

Based on Sandstein's comment, I am not sure what to say or if any comment is necessary on my part. --Scalhotrod - Just your average banjo playing, drag racing, cowboy... (Talk) 21:48, 2 July 2014 (UTC)

@EdJohnston, In the statement that you cite I was expressing my frustration with Lightbreather's methods and actions over the last several months and her POV that she has mentioned here and here where she states "my observation is that I am the only "pro-control" editor here". This is in addition to her various appearances at ANI starting here as far as I can tell with User Sue_Rangell and the WikiProject Firearms leader Mike_Searson. My apologies to them for dragging them into this, but I am not alone in my frustration with LB. There is further indication of her stance in a Dispute Resolution discussion (which I was unaware of until I began writing this text) here that was taking place during the recent Gun Control ARBCOM. One of the more telling IMO comments made in the discussion was by Ianmacm who states, "...why it is such a puzzle that Lightbreather seems obsessed with adding the much vaguer terms "assault weapon" and "high-capacity magazine" to articles. This appears to have become something of a personal crusade for Lightbreather, complete with an element of WP:IDIDNTHEARTHAT when it becomes clear that consensus is against him/her on this matter.". This was followed by Aoidh who stated, "...everyone who disagrees with Lightbreather is automatically "pro-gun", only those who agree with them should be listened to? That's absurd. I am not "pro-gun", I am however in favor of concise wording in an article, that is my issue with it and that is what I pointed out. Looking at Lightbreather's edit history, I can't find a single edit that isn't gun-related, so this WP:BATTLEGROUND mentality of "they have an opinion on guns so what they say shouldn't count" comes across as a little hypocritical."

Speaking of the Gun control article, LB recently made this edit a reversion of one of my contributions that was seemingly fine until her arrival and was under discussion. Her edit summary was a seemingly innocuous, but misdirecting with "removing some distracting, off-topic/related-topic (arms control) material; preserving on talk page". This was one of my earliest attempts at trying to narrow the topic focus enough so that it was not as contentious or inviting of tangential issues.

Since LB's arrival, I have been forced into more formal processes (ANI, Arbitration, etc.) in the last 6 months than my entire time on Misplaced Pages. Furthermore, I am thoroughly confused as to the use and proper purpose of these processes based on my forced experience. This is in addition to the onslaught of edits that LB makes to articles she is focused on that make use of those processes that much more difficult. While I applaud her sheer volume of edits, it comes across as domineering and worse yet she is defensive of her edits and additions and if anyone questions a series of edits on one or across several articles, then its immediately interpreted as a personal attack.

Admin Drmies has had first hand experience with how convoluted LB can make seemingly commonplace processes with regard to the Assault Weapons Legislation article move discussions here. In short LB started and RfC, but while it was open, then started a WP:Moverequest process and then changed tactics again with another discussion and went so far as to ask the MoveRequest closing Admin (Drmies) to reverse himself here

I pride myself on my ability to converse with all sides of an opinion in order to bring about not only consensus, but quality encyclopedic writing as I did on the Lead for the U.S. Second Amendment article starting here. It took well over a month, but we arrived at a Lead that was constructed through consensus as a true group effort and that has been stable ever since.

I have tried to communicate with LB and was the first one to extend an "olive branch" here. But LB's inflexibility has degraded every attempt at communication that does not result in content being exactly how she wants it worded or constructed and using her preference of sources. There have been some exceptions to this, but they are few and far between and rarely do not involve an Admin. --Scalhotrod - Just your average banjo playing, drag racing, cowboy... (Talk) 04:07, 3 July 2014 (UTC)

It took me a while to remember this, but this is not the first occurrence of discussion regarding this source, OpenSecrets.org. It happened back in April at Talk:Gun politics in the United States here and here. --Scalhotrod - Just your average banjo playing, drag racing, cowboy... (Talk) 18:57, 7 July 2014 (UTC)

Statement by Drmies, on the road

I was asked by Scalhotrod to have a look at this, though I am not quite sure why. I don't have the time or the energy right now to look very deeply into the matter. What I see in this edit (picked at random) is what appears to be a possibly valid edit (and the SYNTH note may well be accurate). However, in this contentious subject matter this is something that should be discussed on the talk page, and I don't know if this is a repeated revert or not but if it is that's also not a good thing. What should have happened with this edit is a discussion on the talk page which could have led to an improvement (in terms of who said what) of the text: the sources appear to be legit (Washington Post and SF Chronical). Though I like Scalhotrod fine, I believe he has a certain amount of intransigence. Not wanting to discuss something with a (specific?) opponent cannot be a reason for lack of talk page discussion in articles under arbitration. Drmies (talk) 04:14, 3 July 2014 (UTC)

Re: Scalhotrod's comments, I agree that Lightbreather has a tendency to be on the verbose side, sure. Drmies (talk) 04:20, 3 July 2014 (UTC)

Drmies (hopefully you're not on the road) But I was hoping you might comment regarding your observations here unless that was your intention with the above additional comment. --Scalhotrod - Just your average banjo playing, drag racing, cowboy... (Talk) 20:23, 7 July 2014 (UTC)

Statement by Sue Rangell

The editor Lightbreather's COMBATIVE edits are classic WP:CRUSH behavior, and it is Lightbreather who should be sanctioned in some way. I have stopped editing all topics where she involves herself because of this. --Sue Rangell ✍ ✉ 18:37, 5 July 2014 (UTC)

I stopped editing the gun control articles because of Lightbreather's WP:CRUSH behavior. I got tired of her pulling me into ANI everytime she didn't like one of my edits. This is the result. Perhaps everyone should simply give up on those articles and allow Lightbreather to have her way with them. --Sue Rangell ✍ ✉ 18:45, 5 July 2014 (UTC)

Statement by (username)

Result concerning Scalhotrod

This section is to be edited only by uninvolved administrators. Comments by others will be moved to the section above.

At first glance, the request is not actionable as submitted, because it does not make clear how these content removals of which diffs are provided violate any conduct rule (e.g., edit warring). The arbitration (enforcement) process cannot adjudicate whether these removals were justified as regards the encyclopedic merits of the removed content. If the complaint is mainly that Scalhotrod did not respond to requests for talk page discussion, then it is not clear from the request which policy or guideline would have required Scalhotrod to do so under the circumstances described. Sandstein 22:11, 1 July 2014 (UTC)

In this edit Scalhotrod explained to TransporterMan why he doesn't like dealing with Lightbreather. Not everyone enjoys having to deal with their opponents, but here we have a case where one party (L.) is willing and the other party (S.) is refusing. This situation will probably have bad results if they intend to work on the same controversial articles. Is Scalhotrod willing to voluntarily abstain from gun control articles where Lightbreather has worked, or does he have any other suggestion? If my analysis is correct, we should be viewing this as a case of long-term edit warring without discussion. The edits by Scalhotrod supplied above by Lightbreather (numbered as 'first delete' through '11th delete') appear to be reverts of material that came from OpenSecrets.org. After making these deletions of OpenSecrets.org material from the National Rifle Association article I did not see Scalhotrod going to a place like RSN to get opinions on its usability. The status of OpenSecrets.org as a reliable source shouldn't depend solely on his personal opinion. I haven't checked who was on the other side of all these 11 reverts. If it was the same person in each case we might have to think about this further. There was a talk thread at Talk:National Rifle Association#Deletion 3X now of info from OpenSecrets via Sunlight Foundation and other sources where Lightbreather participated but Scalhotrod did not. It's hard to perceive that Scalhotrod is making an effort to discuss or that he has any concept at all of WP:Dispute resolution. EdJohnston (talk) 23:10, 2 July 2014 (UTC)

I haven't reviewed the evidence in this light, but my comment above should not be understood to mean that I oppose sanctions on the basis of EdJohnston's reasoning. Sandstein 19:41, 5 July 2014 (UTC)

Wikieditorpro

Request concerning Wikieditorpro

User who is submitting this request for enforcement: Malik Shabazz (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) 02:23, 7 July 2014 (UTC)

User against whom enforcement is requested: Wikieditorpro (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
Search CT alerts: in user talk history • in system log

Sanction or remedy to be enforced: Misplaced Pages:ARBPIA#Editors reminded : "Editors are reminded that when editing in subject areas of bitter and long-standing real-world conflict, it is all the more important to comply with Misplaced Pages policies such as assuming good faith of all editors including those on the other side of the real-world dispute, writing with a neutral point of view, remaining civil and avoiding personal attacks, utilizing reliable sources for contentious or disputed assertions, and resorting to dispute resolution where necessary." (emphasis added, links removed)

Diffs of edits that violate this sanction or remedy, and an explanation how these edits violate it

6 July Personal attack
7 July Personal attack
7 July Personal attack
7 July Personal attack following my warning on Wikieditorpro's Talk page

Diffs of previous relevant sanctions, if any

20 February 2013 48 hour block for ARBPIA violation (edit warring)

If discretionary sanctions are requested, supply evidence that the user is aware of them (see WP:AC/DS#Awareness and alerts)

Previously blocked as a discretionary sanction for conduct in the area of conflict, see the block log linked to above.
Alerted about discretionary sanctions in the area of conflict in the last twelve months, see the system log linked to above.

Additional comments by editor filing complaint

I warned Wikieditorpro against continuing personal attacks. Minutes later, Wikieditorpro made the fourth attack listed above.

Notification of the user against whom enforcement is requested

Discussion concerning Wikieditorpro

Statement by Wikieditorpro

Firstly I apologize for the length of this response. I hope the administrators will nevertheless read it in its entirety.

While it seems that the administrators have already passed judgment on me (one in a seemingly prejudicial manner), I will nevertheless post my reply, although this situation is far from ideal.

Malik Shabazz cites four comments yet only one can be reasonably interpreted as a personal attack:

I will start with the fourth one as it highlights the particularly egregious background to the report:

The comment that he claims was a "personal attack" was actually a sympathetic comment written directly to a young and vulnerable new editor (who had posted a lot of personal information on her talk page before I advised her to delete it). She was struggling in the face of harassment, intimidation and threats by Malik Shabazz amongst others in violation of WP:NEWBIES. Malik Shabazz should be aware of those guidelines and that turning the the screws in that manner on someone struggling to understand Misplaced Pages is enough to scare off anyone, particularly people in that demographic. I showed my support in a series of posts directed to her on her own talk page including that one.

The lynch mob mentality of a certain group of professional and partisan editors on Misplaced Pages is evident in their responses to this report against myself, in previous reports on this page, and against others who have dared to cross them. It reached a new low when it was used against a young and defenseless editor. The comments cited by Malik Shabazz should not be stripped from this context.

Addressing his specific claim: He claims that the idiom "Then the terrorists win", is a personal attack. It it however a widely used phrase. There is even a Misplaced Pages page page for it. A search for that phrase shows how widely it is used. This is the first time that I've encountered someone trying to interpret that idiom in the literal sense as labeling people terrorists. To state the blindingly obvious; I have never made such a ridiculous claim about any Misplaced Pages editor ever.

Given Malik Shabazz's position, I am be tempted to label this state of affairs as the blind leading the blind. (And no I am not claiming that Misplaced Pages editors are visually impaired.)

Given that the user was bullied to the verge of abandoning Misplaced Pages I consider this a successful interaction given that it resonated with the user to whom it was directed.

With respect to the other comments that he cites:

Edit 1: Was not a personal attack. It was criticism of the lack of clear guidelines in Misplaced Pages allowing editors to arbitrarily apply different criteria to different sources. See here and here.

Edit 2: The statement that someone "does not understand" something is not a personal attack. I don't think this point needs elaborating.

Edit 3: I was trying to make a legitimate point based on a previous discussion. I failed. I retracted the personal aspect and clarified my intent after Zero0000's response. (See response to Zero0000 below for more context.)

I will also be commenting on the reports below. I do not believe that complaints by Pluto2012 and Nishidani are in any way reasonable or justified once the complete interaction in its entirety is examined. I intend to prove that.

P.S. In the last week, I have been accused of being a sockpuppet, threatened that my "days here are numbered", been told in no uncertain terms to get off Misplaced Pages, and I have tried to comfort a young editor being harassed on her talk page. And now I am defending myself against claims that I am attacking users. Karma, if you are reading this, it is time to stop joking. Thank you for your patience. Wikieditorpro (talk) 06:36, 8 July 2014 (UTC)

Statement by Zero0000

The fourth of the diffs is a good summary of this editor's behavior on Misplaced Pages: it thinks it is here to fight "terrorists". I challenge anyone to find examples of this editor making valuable contributions rather than consistently pushing an extreme policital position. In this exchange you can see it promoting a religious outreach organization (that teaches Bible codes among other nonsense) as a reliable source while at the same time claiming that all of the Palestinian media "ranges from being virulently anti-Israeli to being virulently anti-Semitic too, usually both". The only argument provided is that "Misplaced Pages considers that viciously anti-Semitic rag Ma'an to a reliable source ... That being the case, Aish can certainly be considered a reliable source." which as well as indicating that this editor thinks Misplaced Pages is the enemy shows a clear violation of WP:POINT. Everyone here is biased, not least in the Middle East section of the project, but someone with such black-and-white views and the willingness to ignore key policies like NPOV to promote them is not welcome. Anything less than a topic-ban would be inadequate. Zero 09:33, 7 July 2014 (UTC)

Statement by Pluto2012

I had a "disagreement" on the article Dieudonné M'Bala M'Bala with Wikieditorpro on the 12/01 (here is the section). I tried to open to discussion :

"There is no other solutions but to discuss here, one by one, your modification proposals. Pluto2012 (talk) 20:49, 12 January 2014 (UTC)" ;
"I ask you to discuss each point at a time. If you make several modifications at once it is not possible to follow. There is no hurry so instead of having a fighting spirit, just start the discussion on 1 point so that we can analyse it and find the right way to introduce the information. Pluto2012 (talk) 05:53, 14 January 2014 (UTC) ;
"Hello Wikieditopro, What I ask you is to write here what you want to change, say why shortly and that we can discuss this to have a consensus and have the best version possible. But one point at a time and quietly...."
...

and get answers in infraction to WP:NPA and WP:AGF such as :

"I completely reject your childish and patronizing behavior of reverting everything unless I act in accordance with your wishes. Wikieditorpro "
"You are not saving anyone time by demanding that I bring each and every point in accordance with your whims and caprices. I don't believe that even you are stupid enough to believe that your stalling tactics save anyone time"
...

The same day, in infraction with WP:AGF and WP:NPA, he attacked me on my talk page and was reverted by another editor belligerent harassment : "An in some stunning hypocrisy, you (...) ; you promptly ignored in order to further your false agenda..." ; "In keeping with your POV editing history..." ; "But of course you'll do anything to avoid that and other NPOV corrections"....

On January 14th and 15th, he WP:WIKISTALKED me and reverted me on articles he had not participated to (, )

I suggest that Wikieditorpro is topicbanned from all articles related to the I-P conflict but also related to antisemitism and Jewish culture.

Pluto2012 (talk) 15:32, 7 July 2014 (UTC)

Statement by Nishidani

Deeply problematical behaviour from the outset of his return here, certainly at 2014 kidnapping and murder of Israeli teenagers which, despite the understandable grief occasioned by the event, generally met with an intelligent consensual approach by all concerned. But as one can see here Wikieditorpro was an exception. One example. After a good many edits, I reviewed several hours of additions and made 4 changes. In particular, I noted that someone had changed a paraphrase of statements in a UN Security Council deliberation from Reuters, and where our text read:-

In response to proposals in the Security Council to make a statement to the press condemning the kidnapping, and the collective punishment and deaths of Palestinians during Israel's operations on the West Bank, no agreement could be found('Reuters')

someone had rewritten this, spinning in some obviously unacceptable remark

In response to proposals in the Security Council to make a statement to the press condemning the kidnapping, and the justifiable deaths of Arab terrorists and rioters during Israel's operations on the West Bank, no agreement could be found

All this wikieditorpro reverted at sight (of my name, I presume) with the incomprehensible edit summary ‘NPOV as per RS and talk page’. I then provided an analysis on the talk page of the way this revert ignored the fact that both NPOV and the RS for the above had been ignored, and the text as wikieditorpro restored it revived an egregious piece of faked source quotation I freely admit I got hot under the collar here: an hour of attentive analysis, recontrol of sources and the edit went up in smoke as I was reverted blindly, and the rule is that neither I nor many other editors active on the page that day could undo the damage (1RR). The nonsense would enjoy the privilege of staying up another 24 hours).

Wikiproeditor’s response was to snap back that I had a 'bizarre sense of entitlement', ignoring the main point, that he has reintroduced a faked quote.

I repeated my request for him to explain his reintroduction of the demonstrably manipulated/faked quote, and his reply was that my attitude was ‘bizarre’, that I ‘ranted and raved’ at his revert, showing a glaring ‘sense of entitlement’ Again, aside from the abuse, a refusal to face the evidence, that his revert restored a serious source distortion. Well, one sees a lot of this. I just dismissed it as another throwaway account blowing back in for an emergency to hassle an article. But I see that elsewhere, the behaviour is identical.Nishidani (talk) 16:58, 7 July 2014 (UTC)

Statement by Ykantor

The Arab- Israeli conflict articles are biased against Israel and trying to fix it is similar to a Sisyphean task. Editors (e.g. user:Pluto2012) are repeatedly deleting well supported text just because it does not suit their POV. (e.g. The Arabs started the war). Even more frustrating is the difference between ignored Misplaced Pages rules and rules which are strictly enforced.

-Why it is acceptable to ignore the rule that if there is a dispute, then both views should be presented.? (user:Pluto2012 repeated deletions are breaching it and no one cares).

- How do one know which rule is enforced and which one is ignored , other that looking at WP:AE archives?

- Why it is acceptable that an editor is repeatedly cheating? (e.g Pluto2012 some edits ) but personal attacks are not acceptable? Why not to enforce both?

- I know some good editors who left Misplaced Pages out of frustration. Shouldn't we all be interested in a better Misplaced Pages with more good editors where rules are transparent, and enforced?

While Personal attacks are not justified, I can understand how the hostile environment is pushing editors to the verge of that kind of behavior. Ykantor (talk) 06:48, 8 July 2014 (UTC)

Statement by (username)

Result concerning Wikieditorpro

This section is to be edited only by uninvolved administrators. Comments by others will be moved to the section above.

After reviewing the diffs and links above (with a particular focus on Pluto2012's & Nishidani's statement), I think Wikieditorpro has not only engaged in personal attacks, but his editing has generally been disruptive. He has been blocked for edit warring before, though it was over a year ago. I think a topic ban would be appropriate, perhaps six months or a year. --Lord Roem ~ (talk) 19:16, 7 July 2014 (UTC)
Per the evidence given by Pluto2012 and Nishidani, I recommend an indefinite topic ban of Wikieditorpro from ARBPIA with the right of appeal after six months. EdJohnston (talk) 01:46, 8 July 2014 (UTC)
I agree that there is sufficient evidence to impose an indefinite topic ban. Wikieditorpro's collaboration with other editors falls way below the standard expected from any editor on any page, let alone on these controversial topics. He ranges from sly/oblique (Malik's diffs are a bit that way) to blatant name-calling. In the interest of full disclosure, he and I had a significant disagreement at WP:AN3 (if others want a link to that, let me know), which, I think, is emblematic of his wikilawyering, twistiing-words style. That said, we should give him permission to exceed the word limit as he's requested before passing final judgment. I therefore authorize him to do that.--Bbb23 (talk) 02:00, 8 July 2014 (UTC)

Sepsis II

Request concerning Sepsis II

User who is submitting this request for enforcement: Brewcrewer (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) 03:02, 8 July 2014 (UTC)

User against whom enforcement is requested: Sepsis II (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
Search CT alerts: in user talk history • in system log

Sanction or remedy to be enforced: Misplaced Pages:ARBPIA#Editors reminded :: "Editors are reminded that when editing in subject areas of bitter and long-standing real-world conflict, it is all the more important to comply with Misplaced Pages policies such as assuming good faith of all editors including those on the other side of the real-world dispute, writing with a neutral point of view, remaining civil and avoiding personal attacks...."

Diffs of edits that violate this sanction or remedy, and an explanation how these edits violate it

Sepsis recently return from a block wherein his talk page access was revoked for disruption and personal attacks. After his talk page access was revoked, User:Bbb23 removed the disruption.

In their first edit back from the block Sepsis restores the disruptive version (or most of it) with the edit summary "rvv".

Subsequently Sepsis proceeds to falsely accuse me of hounding him on two pages. Sepsis accuses me of hounding him at Jennifer Rubin (journalist) whereas i made edits to the article before the Sepsis II account was started.

Sepsis further accuses of me of hounding him at Rachel Corrie (canvasses for a revert also) because I reverted his reversion of multiple editors’ work wherein I made 13 edits to the article even before the Sepsis II account was started.

In another edit Sepsis makes personal edit summary and assumes bad faith (I assume they meant “‘revert’ whitewashing”)

Diffs of previous relevant sanctions, if any

See block log

If discretionary sanctions are requested, supply evidence that the user is aware of them (see WP:AC/DS#Awareness and alerts)

. Sepsis has also participated in numerous discussions at this page.

Additional comments by editor filing complaint

Notification of the user against whom enforcement is requested

Discussion concerning Sepsis II

Statement by Sepsis II

Brewcrewer wants me sanctioned for editing my own talk page and for pointing out how he hounds me. I will put together a case on his hounding of my edits over the last year and how he was warned on several occasions by several admins to stop such behaviour if asked of me. Sepsis II (talk) 04:31, 8 July 2014 (UTC)

Penwhale, I've now deleted my entire talk page as there were still many personal attacks against me on that page. I did not know that the material on my talk page was regulated to the tastes of passing admins. Your idea of using diffs to prove the harrassement I endure may go against the rules Bbb23 has placed on my speech. Sepsis II (talk) 05:51, 8 July 2014 (UTC)

Statement by (username)

Result concerning Sepsis II

This section is to be edited only by uninvolved administrators. Comments by others will be moved to the section above.

Sepsis II, for me, there are very limited reasoning that would make the case for restoration of other people's attacks against you on your talk page. Please don't delete my comments or the attacks; it is important as it is the reason I was blocked, blocked for reverting them, filling an SPI, working at WP:ARBPIA isn't one of them. (You can easily use diffs and such to illustrate the attacks. - Penwhale | 05:25, 8 July 2014 (UTC)