Talk:Rick Snyder/Archive 1

Emergency Managers
It does seem a little strange this page makes no mention of the policy which Rick Snyder is most known for, at least outside of Michigan. I speak as one who came here expecting to find further explanation of the Emergency Manager laws, without conscious bias. 94.193.220.27 (talk) 18:49, 17 January 2012 (UTC)

Bias?
It looks like Rick Snyder campaign staff is removing any possible critical material, i.e. removing links to stories about those challenging some of Snyder's political credentials. By the way, who likes Obama with his blue lips. I mean, I know I'm blacker than Obama..... but I know I'm not BLUER (lol)!!! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 12.19.132.2 (talk) 00:11, 27 February 2010 (UTC)

This page is painfully absent of how he ran Gateway, and of any factual content that may appear as a negative. This is nothing more than a campaign ad. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 98.250.180.250 (talk) 10:19, 24 September 2010 (UTC)

This page is being run by people who campaign for Snyder it seems. Sad that their viewpoint is allowed and a move balanced view is silenced. ColbertNation4 (talk) 18:03, 22 June 2011 (UTC)

Portrait
The photo used of him, here, doesn't seem to be consistent with formal portraits used for other governors. I'm not exactly sure how to accurately cite photos while uploading, but it looks like the state of Michigan now has an official governor potrait for him, here:

http://www.michigan.gov/snyder/0,1607,7-277-57577_57627-249097--,00.html

Would someone be willing to upload this to commons or something? --Criticalthinker (talk) 04:45, 19 March 2011 (UTC)


 * Honestly, anyone want to get a better/more official photo of the guy up on the page? It seems most elected politicians are given a formal/official photo that is displayed on wiki pages. I'm just not sure exactly how to do this. --Criticalthinker (talk) 01:19, 7 July 2011 (UTC)

I added an updated photo of Snyder, which is much more recent than the previous photo available here. It is one of the formal photos he uses as governor. Keconfer (talk) 20:14, 16 September 2011 (UTC)keconfer


 * I've reverted the change for several reasons. First, you added it improperly (formatting issues). Second, copyright issues need to be resolved. You apparently claim it's your own work, but other than your say-so, I see no evidence of that and have challenged it on Commons. Third, why do you say it is more "formal"? It would be helpful if you could explain some of these things. It's not a bad picture, but it's better to have the copyright problem resolved before using it.--Bbb23 (talk) 20:22, 16 September 2011 (UTC)

I apologize on the formatting - I've never played with pictures before, so it's new to me. The photo is one of a few formal portraits Snyder uses as governor, rather than the outdated portrait currently on his page. I'm an employee in the Executive Office, and we would like to make the photo I added available for public use on Wikipedia. I understand the upload might have seemed questionable, since the photo also appears on the Governor's Flickr account, but it belongs to the Executive Office and we hope to make it available. Keconfer (talk) 13:16, 19 September 2011 (UTC)Keconfer


 * Thanks for the explanation. I see you've responded at Commons also. Let's wait until they decide. Assuming the photo remains, you can put it back in the article, and if you have trouble with the formatting, I'll help.--Bbb23 (talk) 13:44, 19 September 2011 (UTC)

Why is this article blocked
Residents of Benton Harbor, Michigan, voiced outrage Monday (April 18, 2011) night after the city’s elected mayor and city commissioners were stripped of all power by an unelected emergency financial manager appointed by Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder. www.democracynow.org/2011/4/19/headlines 99.69.44.236 (talk) 09:29, 20 April 2011 (UTC)

A grammar recommendation
The first section's second sentence says, "He has been the 48th governor of the state of Michigan since January 2011." That's a lot of governors. Recommend: "He is the 48th governor of the state of Michigan, and has held the office since January 2011." RickWolff57 (talk) 13:09, 30 April 2011 (UTC)
 * I take your point and reworded it, but not exactly as you would have. See what you think.--Bbb23 (talk) 14:13, 30 April 2011 (UTC)

Backlash and recall material
A new editor added two pieces of information to the article. One, from March, reports on a supposed "backlash" against Snyder. The other is a more current report on a recall petition against Snyder and various legislators. I reverted both changes. The editor has reverted back. After I finish this post, I'll revert once more and invite the editor to discuss his or her changes. The first change is supported by a blog and is therefore not supported by a reliable source. Indeed, the owner of the blog says: "I am a mom, an artist, a blogger, and an unabashedly proud Liberal." The recall petition doesn't suffer from a sourcing problem, but, in my view, it is too early to report on a petition that hasn't even received approval to seek signatures, let alone found its way to the ballot.--Bbb23 (talk) 14:54, 12 June 2011 (UTC)


 * I will remove the first sentence pending better sources. The second you are using your personal opinion to cloud your neutrality.  A recall campaign is happening and I can cite many sources.  Stop blocking my attempt to add quality factual information.  MSUalum08 (talk) 15:17, 12 June 2011 (UTC)


 * As I said, I'm not questioning the sources, I'm questioning the inclusion of the information based on its current status. Just because information is reported in reliable sources doesn't mean it must be reported in a Wikipedia article. It still has to satisfy relevancy and other criteria. See, for example, WP:NOTNEWS. So, I would ask you to respect my request for a discussion on this issue before reinserting it in the article.--Bbb23 (talk) 15:21, 12 June 2011 (UTC)


 * I completely disagree. Your questioning of the inclusion of this information is biased.  It is factual and relevant.  It is within Wikipedia's guidelines of appropriate contributions.  MSUalum08 (talk) 15:23, 12 June 2011 (UTC)


 * Try not to inject assumptions as to my motives and just focus on content. I understand you disagree. Your statement that it is "relevant" is just a conclusion. You don't have to defend the "factual" part. Just explain why at this stage such very preliminary information about a recall is noteworthy. Also, regardless of what you think, please wait for other editors to contribute to this discussion so we can have more than just your point of view and mine.--Bbb23 (talk) 15:38, 12 June 2011 (UTC)


 * The content is supported by Wikipeadias: Biography on Living Persons, "Criticism and praise should be included if they can be sourced to reliable secondary sources, so long as the material is presented responsibly, conservatively, and in a disinterested tone." I have phrased the information about the recall in a neutral and factual manner.  You did not try to revise the statement, instead taking the heavy-handed approach of removing it.  MSUalum08 (talk) 16:27, 12 June 2011 (UTC)


 * The generalized statement you quote about criticism and praise is largely irrelevant in this context. I'm not objecting to your source or your wording, just the inclusion of it. Nor is what you're inserting criticism or praise, it's the reporting of an event. I've already stated my reasons against the reporting of such a preliminary event - I have little more to say at this juncture. Hopefully, other editors will voice their opinions on the propriety of including the information.--Bbb23 (talk) 16:32, 12 June 2011 (UTC)

Religion
Besides him being married at a Presbyterian church (because of his wife being raised in the denomination), is there any kind of proof what denomination he belongs to? In fact, not very long ago he admitted that he didn't really even go to church, and it was something his wife nagged him about. I'm not even sure he grew up Presbyterian. Perhaps, this is something we should leave blank until we have some actual evidence. --Criticalthinker (talk) 11:42, 1 July 2011 (UTC)
 * The source says that Synder says he's a Presbyterian. Whether he goes to church isn't important and whether he was born Presbyterian isn't important. As long as he self-identifies, he satisfies WP:BLPCAT, although, of course, practically no one meets the other requirement that the category is relevant to their notability.--Bbb23 (talk) 12:28, 1 July 2011 (UTC)
 * Hmmm...funny, when I read that article a few months back, none of that was included. Either that, or I totally read over it, but I distinctly remember only reading that they were married in a Presbyterian church.  Either way, you're right; it's right there in the cited article. --Criticalthinker (talk) 03:10, 2 July 2011 (UTC)

Resources for Ambassador Bridge and Manuel Moroun & the Political activities of the Koch family
Excerpt ...  Here is the basis for the Koch connection in that article ...
 * Is Span Plan a Bridge Too Far? Car Makers Seek New Link to Canada, but Some Say Michigan Shouldn't Back It by Joseph B. White in October 10, 2011 Wall Street Journal.
 * Detroit Span Owner Keeps Canada Crossing With Koch Aid September 16, 2011 in Bloomberg BusinessWeek by Chris Christoff; regarding "Matty" Manuel Moroun (who beat out Warren Buffett to buy the Ambassador Bridge more than three decades ago) and son's fight against Governor of Michigan Rick Snyder's New International Trade Crossing bridge plans.

99.190.87.127 (talk) 07:19, 12 October 2011 (UTC)


 * This is related, from "Americans for Prosperity" ... Fake eviction notices in Detroit ... In June 2011, Americans for Prosperity placed a handful of fake eviction notices on people's doors in the Delray neighborhood of Detroit. The group's state director said that the intent was to startle residents into lobbying against the building of the Detroit River International Crossing bridge. 216.250.156.66 (talk) 20:22, 24 October 2011 (UTC)

Update on Snyder in office
The article needs updating in regard to what Snyder has done or caused to happen with the ironclad Republican majority in both houses of the Michigan Legislature. The extreme nature of his political actions is completely unprecedented in a state with a history of moderate leaders from both parties. Snyder campaigned as a moderate, and has governed as an economic and social extremist on the right. His most recent action, signing a bill that forbids any public body from providing unmarried partner benefits, has drawn condemnation in editorials around the state. I am willing to write up the entire update as a factual list, which I do not think is inherently biased, as long as the topic is the comparison between the candidate's promises and the Governor in office.

BTW, Snyder does not reside in the Governor's Mansion in Lansing. The State Police drive him to and from the capital every day, from his home on Valleyview Drive in Geddes Glen, a gated development in Superior Township. I often see him coming out of the gate, when I drive along Geddes Road from my own Superior Township home to work. The Governor's lack of a public residence or presence adds to the overall impression of a wealthy and inaccessible person who has little contact with the public.Votekeeper (talk) 19:29, 29 December 2011 (UTC)Jan BenDor

cetified public accountant
Is it worth a mention, anywhere, that Snyder is a certified public accountant (CPA)? It was made a pretty big deal of while he was running for governor that'd he'd be the first governor of Michigan with that qualification if elected. A simple google search will find the information for anyone interested in adding it. --Criticalthinker (talk) 04:29, 7 January 2012 (UTC)

I agree this should be mentioned. However, Richard Austin, longtime Michigan Secretary of State, was a CPA, as well as the first African-American in Michigan to earn the credential, so Snyder being a CPA is not such a big deal. Votekeeper (talk) 16:13, 19 January 2012 (UTC)

YouTube Reference
User:Rogerzzip, a relatively new editor, removed material sourced by a video on YouTube. I restored it and explained why on his Talk page. Then, User:Bkonrad, a more experienced editor, removed it also with the bald statement that YouTube cannot be used as a reference. I couldn't revert because I had made too many reversions for other removed material, so I commented on Bkonrad's Talk page that the YouTube video was posted by the copyright owner, so there is nothing wrong with the reference. See WP:LINKVIO. Unfortunately, he has insisted on the edit and not responded to my message. There is absolutely nothing wrong with citing to YouTube as long as it's clear that the video is posted by the copyright owner. Here, that is obviously the case.

The material and the cite should be reinserted.--Bbb23 (talk) 02:27, 15 January 2012 (UTC)


 * Well copyright is not an issue here. The video was posted on the americajr channel, which is a news organization of some sort, so the question would be if they're considered a reliable source for the statement that it supports. Dawnseeker2000   02:34, 15 January 2012 (UTC)


 * Exactly, copyright is not the issue. The issue is that YouTube is nearly worthless as a reference. older ≠ wiser 02:39, 15 January 2012 (UTC)


 * I think Bbb23 has it right, in that it's acceptable to use videos that are hosted by YouTube as references. In this case, the video does support the statement regarding the date of enrollment at the university. It comes straight out of his mouth, so that's perfect. Now having said that, I don't know that I would post a reference like this myself. If I were to ever do this I'd use a news organization that's a recognizable authority. For instance, the Los Angeles Times has a channel on YouTube. But in this instance, if the ref does make it back in the article, the publisher should be changed to americajr and not YouTube. Dawnseeker2000   03:13, 15 January 2012 (UTC)
 * Essentially, the reference is to his words, which were captured by AmericaJR.com. I don't see that it matters how reliable AmericaJR is unless we think the video has been tampered with. It's essentially a WP:SPS (that, to me, is a more important issue) because it's just the video of the speech. For the kind of material that the reference is supporting, I don't see a big deal here. (By the way, the video is back in, not because I reinserted it but because a bot did so in response to the removal of a named ref with no cite.) Also, without the cite, there's nothing in support of the statement that precedes it. BTW, I agree with Dawnseeker that the publisher/work should be AmericaJR.com, not YouTube, but I'm not touching this part of the article until we've reached a consensus on the issue. Frankly, Bkonrad's comment above is just a conclusion with nothing to support it.--Bbb23 (talk) 15:58, 15 January 2012 (UTC)

Snyder's residence is wrongly listed as "Ann Arbor"
I have twice tried to correct the main page in the two places where Snyder's private residence location is stated, but you keep reverting my simple corrections. Snyder's Valley View Dr. address is in Superior Township, not Ann Arbor. I have a list of registered voters in Superior, and Richard Snyder is on that list. What else do you need to get this corrected? The Township Clerk in Superior Township, Dave Phillips, can send you confirmation.

Please correct this simple fact. I have seen numerous media articles which have wrongly relied on this Wiki page for the Governor's residence location.

The main page also misrepresents the Lansing mansion as his "public residence." Snyder does not live there and very publicly stated he would not live there.Votekeeper (talk) 16:23, 19 January 2012 (UTC)
 * Please find reliable sources in support of your assertions.--Bbb23 (talk) 00:57, 20 January 2012 (UTC)
 * He lives in suburban Ann Arbor. I mean, it's common knowledge.  It can be looked up on a map.  He lives in Superior Township; it's been mentioned over and over and over agian in the media. --Criticalthinker (talk) 12:51, 31 January 2012 (UTC)

Citation 64 about the so-called "right-to-work" bill is actually from Minnesota
I noticed that Citation 64 is actually from Minnesota AFL-CIO, not Michigan. So the piece of the paragraph that cites it ought to change a bit. I don't have time to do this right now, and I defer to the experts..... — Preceding unsigned comment added by 67.127.56.137 (talk) 21:16, 12 July 2013 (UTC)

Worst Governor in America?
Does anyone really believe that the CREW reference to Snyder being "one of the worst governors in America" is appropriate in this article? It appears that the rating is based on a subjective analysis limited to 16 Republican governors and 2 Democratic governors and in which all the governors analyzed received the rating. No criteria were specified. Any thoughts from the community?CFredkin (talk) 23:38, 21 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Empty political POV statement, that tells the reader nothing.John2510 (talk) 02:37, 11 September 2013 (UTC)

The existence of the report, and the publication and republication of the report, and the inclusion of Rick Snyder on the report, are not reasonably disputed. YOUR empty statement (that the acknowledgment of the existing published report that includes Snyder) is somehow a political statement, is itself a pure political POV expressed by you, and inappropriate. I invite further comment from other editors. Excellius (talk) 05:33, 12 September 2013 (UTC)
 * What does it tell the reader, that's of any value whatsoever? That some political organization says he's a bad governor?  That doesn't tell the reader anything.  The fact that the "report" exists, and that others have quoted from it, doesn't make it encyclopedic.  Find the factual bases for their opinion, in proper sources, and you'll be onto something.John2510 (talk) 15:10, 13 September 2013 (UTC)
 * As mentioned on the Talk pages for Nathan Deal and Bill Haslam, CREW's report only mentions the 18 governors that they labeled as "worst". None of the other governors that they supposedly analyzed are referenced.  Even NPR and the Chairman of the NY Dem Party of questioned the credibility of the report. CFredkin (talk) 22:46, 10 September 2013 (UTC)