Talk:Robin Ficker

Heckler
The use of the term "heckler" to describe Robin Ficker satisfies the Neutral point of view policy in that it "represent[s] fairly, proportionately, and [...] without bias, all significant views that have been published by reliable sources." Every source cited in regards to his sports activities--except those written by Ficker himself--uses the term "heckler" or "heckling". The policy states,
 * Achieving what the Wikipedia community understands as "neutrality" means carefully and critically analyzing a variety of reliable sources and then attempting to convey to the reader the information contained in them clearly and accurately.

To not use the term would reduce the clarity and accuracy of this article.

The term has been used in this article from its creation. I'm restoring it. If you still disagree, make your case for change here, not by unsupported edits to the article. -- Pemilligan (talk) 03:45, 16 February 2012 (UTC)


 * I have been asked (I write on Ficker's behalf) to change "heckler" to "fan" or to remove the descriptor from the introductory sentence due to the outdated status of the former term. Ficker has not attended an NBA game since 1998. If the matter cannot be resolved here, is Dispute resolution or Biographies of living persons/Noticeboard the correct next step toward resolution? Alternatively, are articles ever removed or retired? Trainhead (talk) 03:28, 23 February 2012 (UTC)Trainhead

I dispute that "heckler" has an "outdated status". It's not a question of how recent the activities were but how notable they were. They are widely-noted and well-documented. As I wrote above, changing the term to "fan" reduces the clarity and accuracy of the article. Robin Ficker is no more notable for being a sports "fan" than anyone else who had season tickets. It was his actions--heckling--that brought notability.

I'm curious as to what you mean by "I write on Ficker's behalf". I'm concerned that this could raise a conflict of interest issue.

I've entered this into the Biographies of living persons/Noticeboard -- Pemilligan (talk) 06:38, 24 February 2012 (UTC)


 * Totally agree with Pemilligan, Wikipedia is an encyclopaedia that documents facts through reliable sources, it is not 1984 where you can rewrite history as you see fit, your boy actually wrote an op-ed for a major newspaper called the Heckler's Code where he proudly boasts about his "ethical" heckling, this is a well-documented fact. If he had said "All communists are Nazis" and it had been well-documented, then it would be the same thing, you can't just memory hole this information.  Captain Screebo Parley! 22:06, 5 March 2012 (UTC)

I've restored the previous, long-term state of this page, specifically including the term "heckler". This represents a consensus dating to the first edit of this page. I think I've made a very clear argument citing several Wikipedia policies to support my position. In my view the opposing position has been advanced without reference to any supporting policy and with an apparent conflict of interest. I will again request that if you still disagree, make your case for change here, not by editing to the article. Work to change the consensus before you change the article. -- Pemilligan (talk) 00:22, 20 March 2012 (UTC)

I've reverted changes by Msin147 which replaced "sports heckling/heckler" with "sports fan" and "sports enthusiast". This is exactly the sort of change that I cited previously as reducing the clarity and accuracy of the article. Robin Ficker did not achieve national notability as a sports fan, or even as an enthusiastic fan, but for his heckling. I also continue to be concerned that these changes are being pushed without discussion and solely from anonymous and single purpose accounts. -- Pemilligan (talk) 03:35, 21 March 2012 (UTC)

The heading ==Sports heckler== doesn't mean he is a sports heckler; this section covers the period in the subject's life when he was a heckler, which is undisputed, and it is undisputed that he is noted for heckling, not fandom, so heckler is the word to use. —Anomalocaris (talk) 07:32, 21 March 2012 (UTC)

I also agree that the term heckler is appropriate when describing Robin Ficker. That was and is his claim to fame. Sports fans from the '80s and '90s knew him as THE heckler in America. Stories were written about his heckling. Perhaps he's embarrassed about his past behavior now, but he's still best known for his heckling. Very few people remember him for his campaigns for political office or that he's the dad of Desiree Ficker. TexianPolitico (talk) 13:31, 21 March 2012 (UTC)

My apologies I overlooked this talk board. Using heckler to describe the section heading seems fine as there is sufficient detail below. What I feel is somewhat inaccurate or misleading as a current source of information is the two first occurrences that are in his present day descriptions or at least that is how I took them in and why I put enthusiast which I felt was a more accurate present day description. If the consensus is that it stays non-time specific may we add the dates? I think that is the most useful presentation of this information. He still attends wrestling matches I believe but I know for a fact he has not attended basketball since 1998. Thank you. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.82.117.6 (talk) 16:40, 31 March 2012 (UTC)

Washington Nationals
Looks like Fickers has been getting some press from heckling at Nationals games ,,,. little green rosetta $central scrutinizer (talk)$ 02:03, 7 October 2012 (UTC)

Traffic incident
Please advise whether dispute resolution is appropriate at this time to determine whether the section may be removed. The 18-year-old traffic incident material first appeared on the page on June 11, just prior to a news piece announcing the appointment to the Maryland State Senate of a political opponent: http://www.gazette.net/article/20130612/NEWS/130619806/1261/feldman-draws-support-for-district-15-senate-seat&template=gazette.

Additional information on the acquittal that should be included if the material is retained is available at http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/21829137.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Jul+16%2C+1996&author=Brian+Mooar&pub=The+Washington+Post+%28pre-1997+Fulltext%29&edition=&startpage=B.02&desc=Battery+Charge+Against+Tax+Activist+to+Be+Dropped. Following an appeal resulting in a second trial, a Circuit Court jury acquitted Ficker of destruction of property but was unable to reach a verdict on the battery count, deadlocking 10 to 2 in favor of acquittal. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.191.192.64 (talk) 12:07, 25 June 2013 (UTC)


 * I've removed it for now, because its accuracy is unclear due to the acquittal, and because the added text was copied from the Washington Post - plagiarism and possibly copyright infringement. If added again I'll mention it at the Biographies of living persons noticeboard. Peter&#160;James (talk) 12:18, 26 June 2013 (UTC)


 * I've rewritten the section in light of the additional source. I think this is a fair summary of the three sources.  I wasn't aware of the other news related above, but I don't think that the timing--coincidental or not--should affect the inclusion of accurate information.  That he's pursuing a 2014 campaign probably should be added to the article, too. -- Pemilligan (talk) 03:56, 27 June 2013 (UTC)


 * It at least seems accurate now - I'm not sure it needs a separate section and maybe it's not significant enough to be mentioned at all. I've improved one reference and removed another; forums and almost all blogs are not acceptable sources. I won't mention this dispute at the noticeboard myself but any problems can be mentioned there. Peter&#160;James (talk) 12:39, 28 June 2013 (UTC)

Section blanking
I've asked 184.63.244.176 (talk) again to stop removing the Traffic incident section. This is the fourth time this user has removed it. -- Pemilligan (talk) 03:39, 4 December 2013 (UTC)

A Commons file used on this page or its Wikidata item has been nominated for speedy deletion
The following Wikimedia Commons file used on this page or its Wikidata item has been nominated for speedy deletion: You can see the reason for deletion at the file description page linked above. —Community Tech bot (talk) 04:52, 27 January 2023 (UTC)
 * Ficker11-210x300.jpg