Wikipedia:Arbitration Committee Elections December 2011/Candidates/Hot Stop/Statement

Hot Stop
There seems to be a lot of complaints about arbcom and how it runs. Whether it's because the members aren't open in their discussions, preferring to hold them via email or IRC, or because it takes them far too long to decide cases, there's one simple solution: vote 'em out. If you were dissatisfied with the way a contractor built your neighbor's house, you wouldn't hire them to renovate yours, would you?

Who am I, you ask? I'm something this committee needs. I'm an outsider. Unlike others who've spent years and years on the committee, I've only been editing since earlier this year. Why is this a good thing? Because I don't suffer from hivemind, and I'm not part of the borg like others running. The committees never had a true outsider serve, and now's the time.

Now, a little about me. I'm from New England and have a college degree. In real life, I deal with people. Everyday, normal people like those who read this encyclopedia. I have created two articles at this point, and worked on others. But my main work on here is at WP:ITN/C which is about as frustrating as arbcom is made out to be. I know I'm not the most active editor, but neither are some of the current committee members up for election.

If elected, I intend on representing the "little people" who end up in front of arbcom. Currently, only administrators serve on the committee and I don't think that's fair for non-admins; real life juries aren't composed solely of lawyers and other professionals, they have normal folk on them too.

One thing I'd push for is transparency, real transparency. I would ask that all "off-wiki" deliberations be released some time after a case is closed (provided all confidential information is expunged). And, if elected, I promise to only serve a single two-year term.

Yes, I realize I was recently blocked. But I was blocked for calling a spade a spade. I believe in being honest with people, and that's something you, the voters, should value.

And now for the disclosure: I've never edited under another account or made IP edits, am of legal age in my home state, and have no problem identifying myself to the foundation (and committee) if needed.

Thank you. Hot Stop talk-contribs