User:Kdanforth

I am a casual editor of Wikipedia, mostly spelling and grammar. I enjoy surfing Wikipedia from time to time and correct errors when I see them, mostly spelling and grammar. I'm still learning the mechanics and rules, etc. I didn't even have a talk page, or even know what a talk page was, until someone else started one for me…thanks to Orangemike for that. Someone else mentioned my comments in the edits would now be in blue instead of red, if I put something on this page. Thanks for the tip, Carptrash.

I didn't intend to get deeply involved as an editor, and still don't, exactly, but that may be changing. People are now relying on Wikipedia; the effort is beginning to reach early maturity. Anyone thoughtful person will take information gleaned from this site (or any other source for that matter) with a grain of salt. The problem is most people don’t think very much.

I am slightly disturbed at what I sense is a left-leaning bias creeping into this project, especially with articles dealing with contemporary events. Orangemike started my talk page when I changed an article on the air traffic controller’s strike of 1981, and its subsequent dissolution. For some reason, someone thought that Michael Moore’s (!?!) opinion of its effects was somehow relevant. I modified it to be clear that Mr. Moore’s opinion was an opinion. I notice there was actually an argument in the history of the page whether it should be included at all. It shouldn’t be (in my opinion). According to his web page (on Wikipedia, of course), Mr. Moore dropped out of college after his freshman year, and after writing and editing for some liberal publications, began making films and becoming politically active. That’s it in a nutshell. No mention of any scholarly works. I’ll allow him an expert in political writing and filmmaking, possibly on how to make a total ass of one’s self, but not much more. Should we also include his opinion on, say, the thirty years war, the fall of Rome, the ascension of the Ming dynasty, perhaps?

However, it was in a section about the legacy of the event and other opinions are included, it is sourced as an op-ed piece in the Daily Kos (!!!?!!?!), so might help the flow. Besides, if I were a right-winger, it is exactly what I would want, a sort “look who’s on their side” sort of thing. If I were a left-winger, I’d put in a quote from Rush Limbaugh. Even people who don’t think very much probably know exactly who and what Mr. Moore and Mr. Limbaugh are.

Wikipedia is becoming much more than just a web site. It’s becoming part of our culture, at least in this country. I hope it succeeds as a fairly reliable repository of facts, even facts about opinions. My fear is that some can’t help but proselytize, and the difference becomes blurred. I’ve known too many zealots, left and right, who actually cannot see the difference. So without getting into a full time job, or even a time-consuming hobby, I will continue to fix grammar and spelling, and also try to add some balance when needed.

I would ask everyone to remember this isn’t the Daily Kos or the Daily Caller. Let’s keep to the facts, boring as they may be. Please vent on those sites – it’s more appropriate.