Wikipedia talk:Arbitration/Requests/Case/Racepacket

Statement by uninvolved Fluffernutter
I'm copying here my statement from the original roads-related RFAr about Racepacket from a week or two ago, which closed with no action due to lack of anyone settling on anything. My timeline covers up to approximately the time that request was filed, but does not cover anything that has happened in the past week or so, as I've been on a semi-wikibreak and not closely following more recent events. Also worth noting is that when I originally posted this statement on the first RFAr, Racepacket commented that he believes my timeline has inconsistencies, but didn't respond to my offer to work with him on correcting whatever they were.

This situation first came to my attention when the Netball GA went south; since then I've been following the RFC, which has descended into madness. Let me attempt to summarize what I see as having happened. I'm going to focus on the LauraHale conflict as opposed to the roads conflict, as I see that as being more of a problem. I've done a massive timeline, with diffs, of exactly how things played out regarding LauraHale and the first Netball GA, if it's of any use for anyone; however, the executive summary is as follows:


 * 1) Netball GA opens. Initial reviewer and LauraHale cannot quite figure out what they both want; Laura asks for a new reviewer.
 * 2) Racepacket steps in to review. Begins making suggestions on such topics of what measurement units to use, what constitutes New Zealand English, and whether the article uses close paraphrasing.
 * 3) LauraHale takes offense at RP's nitpicks in general, and his paraphrasing insinuations specifically. States that she doesn't believe he is reviewing according to the GA criteria.
 * 4) Rather than back down, Racepacket suggests that LauraHale provide him with copies of her sources so he can do a thorough check of them
 * 5) LauraHale refuses, they go back and forth, and, fed-up, LauraHale withdraws the GAN.
 * 6) Racepacket refuses to let it die, repeatedly re-opening the GAN despite first Laura, and then others, closing it and telling him to stop.
 * 7) Racepacket goes on to GA review other articles of LauraHale's, which he invariably fails or urges others to fail.
 * 8) Racepacket goes to Meta, asking for LauraHale to be "spoken to" (under the mistaken belief that she is a WMF fellow) about her behavior and her reaction to (what may or may not have been) his plagiarism accusations.
 * 9) Racepacket is asked on to disengage from the Netball issue on the RfC; engages in continual IDIDNTHEARTHAT behavior, refusing to accept that disengaging is necessary.

I see Number 9 here as the really important point. Both Racepacket and LauraHale were prickly on the Netball GA and blew a small issue up into a large one, but Racepacket's refusal to back away from a very clearly contentious situation, no matter how many people told him he needed to do it, is what turned this into a disaster. This came to RFAr because of his refusal to agree to any sort of interaction ban or restraints regarding his Netball GA reviewing habits. If he is now willing to accept that one or both of those is necessary with regard to LauraHale, then great and a case need not be opened. If he is not, however, able to acknowledge that his interactions with LauraHale and the Netball articles have become problematic, and agree to a solution that limits their crossing paths, then arbitration may be the only way to force disengagement.

[end of copied statement]

I will also note that it appears that Racepacket's apparent inability to disengage has only gotten worse since I wrote this statement; far from giving her some breathing room, he is now pursuing LauraHale on multiple fronts and in multiple ways. A fluffernutter is a sandwich! (talk) 18:36, 26 April 2011 (UTC)

Response to SirFozzie
Yes, this is familiar. The previous Arbitration request centered on Racepacket's behavior on roads articles, which has since been resolved(ish?); the issue with LauraHale was not addressed as a result of that RFAr despite at least one arb urging Racepacket to agree to disengage from her. This RFAr has now been advanced because his behavior toward LauraHale and netball topics continues to be aggressive and, I feel, non-constructive, and previous attempts at resolving the LauraHale issue (such as the RFCs and my statement at the previous RFAr) have been studiously ignored by RacePacket. A fluffernutter is a sandwich! (talk) 19:09, 26 April 2011 (UTC)

Comment by uninvolved Wehwalt
I'm not involved in any of this (thank God). By way of disclosure, Racepacket has reviewed and passed two of my articles to GA, both reviews were uneventful. I just wanted to say that there's nothing wrong with failing a GAN that is withdrawn once the review starts. If you look at WP:GAN, that is what is supposed to happen, a withdrawn GAN is a fail once the review has started. So Racepacket seems to have gone by the book there.

I lack the time and inclination to look at the rest of the stuff, I just happened to look at that link. Best wishes to all.--Wehwalt (talk) 18:43, 26 April 2011 (UTC)

Statement by Eraserhead1
Racepacket, you're a good editor who has contributed positively to the project, and to some extent you have a point that LauraHale hasn't behaved perfectly either. However, and its a very big however, you have to learn to drop the stick sometimes and just move on. -- Eraserhead1 &lt;talk&gt; 22:33, 26 April 2011 (UTC)

Statement by the mostly-uninvolved Guerillero
I first cane across this issue while I was avoiding college work chatting in irc. LauraHale made a comment about the article so I went and looked at it. I looked at the GAN. The article passed the GA criteria by a long shot but the review was still going on. The worklists that I saw were mostly things that weren't in the GA criteria.

Since then, I have watched this unfold. I have watched LauraHale worry about how this may effect her degree and her research. I think Racepacket's comments go above and beyond what is reasonable to do and amount to WP:wiki hounding. I this will settle this fiasco.

@risker: While talking to her privately today she told me "I've tried to avoid him [Racepacket]. Seriously tried". From looking at her edit log over the past 5 days or so, I can not see any instances that she went out of her way to interact with him. It seems that he is the one doing most of the interacting. --In actu (Guerillero) &#124; My Talk  18:54, 27 April 2011 (UTC)

User:Racepacket
Background: This motion was initiated in response to a Request for Arbitration Enforcement. After discussion, the consensus of the Arbitration Committee was to take over the request and handle it by public motion. User:Racepacket was informed of the Committee's initial decision to take over the case, and given an opportunity via email to respond to the draft motion prior to it being posted publicly here. Racepacket duly responded and his response was circulated to all members of the Arbitration Committee so that they could take it into account prior to voting. Roger Davies talk 22:06, 10 February 2012 (UTC)

Arbitration enforcement

 * Copied to Arbitration/Requests/Motions from Arbitration Enforcement by consensus of the Arbitration Committee.  Roger Davies  talk 14:30, 7 February 2012 (UTC)

Racepacket made personal statements about LauraHale and Hawkeye7 that are grossly offensive, which are not included here because their privacy should be preserved. In the same edit, Racepacket made allegation about a Simple Wikipedia editor also of a sexual nature in the edit summary (which was so offensive it has since been revdel by an Simple Wikipedia Sysop). Bidgee (talk) 11:50, 6 February 2012 (UTC)
 * User who is submitting this request for enforcement : Bidgee (talk) 11:50, 6 February 2012 (UTC)
 * User against whom enforcement is requested :
 * Sanction or remedy to be enforced: Arbitration/Requests/Case/Racepacket
 * Diffs of edits that violate this sanction or remedy, and an explanation how these edits violate it :
 * 1) (02:32, 6 February 2012) On Simple Wikipedia it has come to my attention, by a editor on Simple Wikipedia, that Racepacket has breached one of the Arbcom remedy. He has openly stated about a dispute that he had with another editor (User:LauraHale) which is indirectly referred to the editor whom he had a conflict with.
 * Additional comments by editor filing complaint :
 * @North8000: Right, what part of the interaction ban don't you understand? It clearly states both partys must not comment on "each other directly or indirectly ", what Racepacket did was indirectly commented about LauraHale, he doesn't have to say the name of the user to be breaching Arbcom's ruling. His comment also suggesting something which grossly offensive to get GA is just damaging to the other two parties. Bidgee (talk) 04:24, 7 February 2012 (UTC)

11:50, 6 February 2012 (UTC) at User talk:Racepacket
 * Notification of the user against whom enforcement is requested :

Looking only at the linked item, and only with respect to the linked item, looks to me like Racepacket was trying to only address/dispute the incorrect accusation (that the Arbcom decision was for disruptive editing) while trying to talk as little as possible (in that situation) about the individual in question. Not commenting on the individual, not using their name, and only repeating what the individual alleged. Sincerely, North8000 (talk) 03:41, 7 February 2012 (UTC)
 * Comments by others about the AE request concerning Racepacket
 * What Bidgee said, and please also note that the edit summary was revdel'ed because a Simple Wikipedia admin thought it was grossly inappropriate. I haven't seen it since I'm not an admin there, though. --Rschen7754 05:15, 7 February 2012 (UTC)
 * As the blocking admin (although not the revdeling one; that was Kansan), I can assure you the edit summary in question was completely inappropriate and slanderous, and casts the comment itself in a rather different light to that you've read it in. Not actually naming the individual was a bit of a safety-net, but does not excuse that sort of statement being made about any other user without proof. sonia ♫ 06:44, 7 February 2012 (UTC)
 * My comment is only on what we can see / was linked. North8000 (talk) 11:51, 7 February 2012 (UTC)

If what is said is true, and I have no reason to doubt Bidgee, than perhaps a global meta ban is in order, for we can do without such editors anywhere on any project. If it is decided this is the way to go, it should be started str8 away. Y u no be Russavia ლ(ಠ益ಠლ) 12:39, 7 February 2012 (UTC)
 * The English Wikipedia ArbCom only has remit over the English Wikipedia; while the stewards are welcome to lock his account of their own accord, they are not bound by ArbCom to do so. --Rschen7754 19:23, 7 February 2012 (UTC)

If an Arb wants to see the edit summary it can be provided. -DJSasso (talk) 12:46, 7 February 2012 (UTC)
 * I happened to have seen the edit summary before it was revdelled, and I found it appalling. I hope ArbCom takes a hard stand on this; circumventing a local topic ban by going to a sister project to sexually harass another is very much a case of gaming the system.  S ven M anguard   Wha?  19:16, 7 February 2012 (UTC)
 * Djsasso, a simple administrator notified us (via our mailing list) of the circumstances surrounding the block, including the full edit summary, but your kind offer is appreciated. Jclemens-public (talk) 22:08, 8 February 2012 (UTC)

Question: Is it ArbCom's intention that actions taken on sibling project that would violate en.WP ArbCom restrictions (had they been posted here) are now sanctionable on the en.WP? Thanks Hasteur (talk) 17:45, 9 February 2012 (UTC)
 * Not really. This was an unusual situation where the interaction ban applied to sibling projects as well. PhilKnight (talk) 17:56, 9 February 2012 (UTC)

Motion #1

 * Note: Racepacket is aware of the original arbitration enforcement request, and the fact that the Arbitration Committee elected to address it directly by motion. He was provided with the text of the proposed motion in advance of it being posted, and had the opportunity to comment on it in advance as well. Arbitrators have had the opportunity to consider his comments in deciding their votes. Risker (talk) 04:42, 10 February 2012 (UTC) 

The Arbitration Committee has determined that, as User:Racepacket has on two occasions on 4 February 2012 breached his interaction ban, he is indefinitely site banned from the English Wikipedia. The user may request that the site ban be reconsidered once a minimum of twelve months have elapsed from the date of this motion passing. In the event that Racepacket violates either the site ban, or the interaction ban, the minimum period before an appeal may be submitted will be reset to twelve months from the date of the violation.

For this motion there are 10 active arbitrators, not including 2 who are recused, are 1 who has abstained, so 6 is a majority.

Enacted - Alexandr Dmitri (talk) 19:48, 11 February 2012 (UTC)


 * Support:
 * 1)   Roger Davies  talk 22:17, 8 February 2012 (UTC)
 * And happy with Phil's c/e.  Roger Davies  talk 12:32, 9 February 2012 (UTC)
 * And added "from the date of the violation", just to be crystal clear.  Roger Davies  talk 12:36, 9 February 2012 (UTC)
 * 1) Jclemens (talk) 22:35, 8 February 2012 (UTC)
 * 2)  SilkTork  ✔Tea time  23:52, 8 February 2012 (UTC)
 * 3) PhilKnight (talk) 01:27, 9 February 2012 (UTC)
 * 4) --Elen of the Roads (talk) 10:37, 9 February 2012 (UTC)
 * 5) Casliber (talk · contribs) 19:49, 9 February 2012 (UTC)
 * 6)  Der Wohltemperierte Fuchs ( talk ) 22:12, 9 February 2012 (UTC)
 * 7) Due to the serious nature of the violation, in this case I agree we must take into account Racepacket's conduct on another Wikimedia site.  AGK  [•] 00:31, 10 February 2012 (UTC)
 * 8) In particular, I find the nature of the violation to be very concerning. Please note, though, that I have commented below on a related issue. Risker (talk) 04:43, 10 February 2012 (UTC)
 * 9) Belated support. Hers fold  (t/a/c) 23:44, 10 February 2012 (UTC)


 * Oppose:
 * Procedural oppose, pending clarification. AGK  [•] 11:35, 9 February 2012 (UTC) Clarified.  AGK  [•] 00:21, 10 February 2012 (UTC)


 * Abstain:
 * 1) Formally abstain, as I was a named party on the Racepacket case. Courcelles 01:16, 11 February 2012 (UTC)


 * Recuse:
 * 1) Newyorkbrad (talk) 19:40, 9 February 2012 (UTC)
 * 2) Kirill [talk] [prof] 23:25, 9 February 2012 (UTC)


 * Comments:
 * Added a couple commas for clarity in grammar. Courcelles 01:49, 9 February 2012 (UTC)
 * The motion is rather unclear. I gather that the 1 year clock refers to violations of the siteban, not the interaction ban, but this is not specified. Fresh breaches, whilst understandable, is also not very clear. Perhaps we might replace the last two sentences with this:Racepacket may request that the ban be appealed no sooner than twelve months from the passing of this motion. In the event that Racepacket violates the site-ban, the minimum period before an appeal may be submitted will be reset to twelve months. I do not see the need to propose a second motion to clarify the meaning of the proposal, but I will hold for approval before making the replacement. Thoughts, Roger (and the voters so far)? AGK  [•] 11:34, 9 February 2012 (UTC)
 * I've made a slightly different copyedit, which reflects my understanding. PhilKnight (talk) 12:22, 9 February 2012 (UTC)
 * I was just about to tweak it thus: The Arbitration Committee has determined that, as he User:Racepacket has on two occasions on 4 February 2012 breached his interaction ban, User:Racepacket he is indefinitely site- banned from the English Wikipedia. The user may request that the ban be reconsidered a reconsideration of the site-ban once a minimum of twelve months have elapsed from the date of this motion passing. Any fresh breaches of the interaction ban will result in the twelve months' period restarting from the date of the fresh breach. but I think your edit, Phil, covers the same ground.  Roger Davies  talk 12:32, 9 February 2012 (UTC)
 * The motion is now clear in its meaning - thanks. AGK  [•] 00:21, 10 February 2012 (UTC)
 * I am comfortable with the current wording.  SilkTork  ✔Tea time  16:04, 9 February 2012 (UTC)
 * I am concerned by evidence that other Wikipedians have essentially been behaving toward Racepacket in almost exactly the way that resulted in Racepacket being sanctioned. The crux of the case against Racepacket was that (a) he took what was an English Wikipedia dispute to other forums, in particular to the WMF and (b) that he continued to pursue the dispute despite being told either that it was resolved or that it was becoming disruptive to other areas of the project, and that it was perceived as harassing the other main party to this case. It disappoints me greatly to see other Wikipedians continue to pursue this matter against Racepacket as well; I have seen it raised on mailing lists, in chapter matters, and even touching on Wikimania matters. Racepacket went too far in trying to have the dispute resolved in a way that he found satisfactory, and he has been sanctioned for that. But others need to drop the stick as well; what's been going on here is no different than the behaviour that Racepacket was sanctioned for. Risker (talk) 04:56, 10 February 2012 (UTC)
 * Am I the only person who thinks, from the enactment of the original interaction ban, that the ban is simply unsustainable? Racepacket is an organiser of the upcoming Wikimania 2012, and LauraHale is heavily involved in offline Wikimedia outreach efforts. It is almost inevitable that the two will meet in person at some point - what will happen to the interaction ban and the enforcement of this new motion, if that does happen? Deryck C. 17:29, 11 February 2012 (UTC)

Discussion by arbitrators

 * A draft motion will be posted sometime today, probably late this evening (UTC).  Roger Davies  talk 13:47, 7 February 2012 (UTC)
 * This will likelier happen tomorrow now,  Roger Davies  talk 19:46, 7 February 2012 (UTC)
 * Note that there's no particular rush on this from a technical standpoint, since his one year ban is not set to expire until June. Thus, we're balancing drafting an appropriately thoroughly vetted statement with speed for justice's sake in condemning the remarks. Jclemens (talk) 02:10, 8 February 2012 (UTC)

Discussion by others
Sorry but I take an offence to "It disappoints me greatly to see other Wikipedians continue to pursue this matter against Racepacket as well", Risker. An editor on simple was concerned about comments made on Simple Wikipedia, I knew part of the Arbcom's remedy was the both parties must not make any direct/indirect comment(s) in any project/forum relating to WMF, which is why I raised the issue on Arbcom. I'm not targeting Racepacket, he did this all on his own and no one else but I've not seen any other editors continuing to "pursue" Racepacket. Bidgee (talk) 07:54, 10 February 2012 (UTC)
 * Bidgee, what happened on Simple was unacceptable and clearly breached Racepacket's sanctions, which is why I've supported the extension of sanctions on this project. Simple, of course, can determine if sanctions are required or appropriate on that project.  I was referring to activities that aren't project oriented in my comments, which is why I used non-projects as examples of where there have been problems.  Risker (talk) 12:41, 10 February 2012 (UTC)
 * I opposed the original sanctions against Racepacket and have been deeply troubled that certain prominent members of the Wikimedia community sought- and achieved- real-life retaliations against Racepacket due to his on-wiki sanctions, in part due to the fact that this was precisely the sort of action Racepacket was supposedly being sanctioned for attempting! I am encouraged to see Risker bring that issue to light. I also agree with Risker, however, that Racepacket unambiguously violated the terms of the interaction ban here. &mdash;Bill Price (nyb) 17:34, 10 February 2012 (UTC)
 * I've watched this all of the way though (and made a few sidebar comments) To me it looks whole thing looks pretty bad in both directions.  Racepacket doing a few way-out-of-line things, and there being a group effort against him/her that goes far beyond a response to those things. Sad how it ended up.  IMHO a smaller sanction  and a tough mentor for Racepacket would have been the best thing for all including Wikipedia. Sincerely, North8000 (talk) 22:42, 10 February 2012 (UTC)


 * I've avoided being any more than a spectator so far, but I thought I'd post this diff (from Simple) in case anybody still believed that Racepacket's comment wasn't inappropriate in context. It's a shame because Racepacket is/was for the most part a productive editor, but taking your Wikipedia disputes off Wikipedia is unacceptable. HJ Mitchell  &#124;  Penny for your thoughts?  04:19, 11 February 2012 (UTC)