User:Iamunknown/ArbCom2007/Giano

I waited until today to vote to give myself sufficient time to consider Giano's campaign. I did not want our poor prior relations (archive) to colour my vote. I had several concerns, in particular regarding Giano's decorum, his temper and his treatment of the biographies of living persons.


 * I disagree with Giano's position regarding the biographies of living persons as I interpret them in his comments at a recent AfD. I do not, however, consider his opinion an obstacle.  Instead, I think it stems from his passionate belief in our effort to create a free encyclopedia, as he says in his candidate statement.  I do not think he would dispute some of the other basic tenets of BLP - that articles regarding those who are notable for a single event, for example, should be focused more on that event than on the person.  I have not read anywhere that he states this, but I think it is reasonable, and I also think that he is reasonable.
 * Neither Giano's decorum nor temper is admirable. But I argue that Giano is endeavouring to make both more acceptable.  Consider the following discussion.  Giano makes a rude remark to Tony Sidaway [ (diff)], a fellow editors recommends on his talk page that he refactor [ (diff)] and he does [ (diff)], very politely, in fact!  Giano is hot-headed, but he is reasonable, and responds to criticism from his friends, if not his enemies.  I think we will see more of this if he is elected to the Arbitration Committee - the Committee will be a tempering influence on Giano.

My concerns are lessened - but I have not explained why I think that Giano should be a member of the Arbitration Committee. The following are my thoughts.


 * Giano is definitely here for the encyclopedia, and we need that kind of vigour on the Arbitration Committee.
 * Giano is passionate. That can be a drawback, but I think it will be beneficial to have his passion on the Arbitration Committee.
 * Giano is, first and foremost, an editor. We need that element in our dispute resolution system, and Giano will bring it.
 * Giano's answers to questions on his questions page are thought-provoking. Consider his measured and dignified response to Piotrus's concerns about editors leaving the project due to frustration (especially with regards to ethnic conflicts): "I doubt any Arbcom will resolve very quickly the problems that world's finest diplomats cannot" [ (diff)].  I think that Giano's comments will continue to be thoughtful, and his participation in the Arbitration Committee helpful.

I am therefore voting for him. This is not a knee-jerk reaction on my part - in fact, any knee-jerk reaction most probably would have been the opposite! This is a considered reaction, and the conclusion is not what I expected. But after more than a week of consideration, I am voting for Giano for Arbitration Committee. I think that, should he be appointed, Giano will be a great and needed addition to the Arbitration Committee, and I am pleased to vote for him.

Iamunknown 02:08, 16 December 2007 (UTC)