On 10/13/07, fredbaud@waterwiki.info fredbaud@waterwiki.info wrote:
Actually, we are having some serious trouble. I'm thoroughly burned out. Additionally we have deadlocks on a couple of cases.
In fact, the situation is so bad, that I think we should consider alternatives to our current procedures. Is there some other way we could resolved the issues which come to arbitration, perhaps by committees of administrators?
Fred
If indeed ArbCom has lost the trust or respect of some members of the community, I doubt that ad hoc committees of admins will suddenly be accorded the necessary level of respect and trust.
The Arbitrators might wish to remember that Arbitration is not a court, and that unlike a court, it is not obligated to reach a decision. In the case of "Allegations of Apartheid" for example, the Committee could issue a statement to the effect that the Committee recognizes the community's concern that the other Allegations articles were created and defended to make a point, but that it is divided on whether any remedy is needed, and remands the issue to the community for discussion.
I don't think is constitutes failure to acknowledge that the Comittee is as divided as the general community on some issues; in those cases the Committee should confine its role to slapping down editors whose behavior is so outrageous that it interferes with the community's ability to calmly discuss the issue.
Thatcher