On 3/9/05 2:46 PM, "Ray Saintonge" saintonge@telus.net wrote:
If I were to judge Ed solely by many of the substantive positions that he takes, we should be bitter enemies. :'( Ed does indeed shoot from the hip, but with one big difference. When he realizes that he has made a mistake he is quicker than most to admit it. Yes, Ed was out of line, but so what? I do not support making policy on the hoof, there is already far too much of that. Ed did not do that; he enforced what he believed to be policy, and did his best to undo the damage when he found his mistake. His actions are perfectly understandable when you see the unending parade of shifting policies. Nobody but policy geeks can keep up with it, and policy geeks are notorious for losing sight of project goals.
I don't see any need for further action on this. Ed's repentance tells me all I need to know. Unless we take a forgiving attitude towards this kind of error how can we expect to be forgiven ourselves when the tables are turned.
My problem with this response is that Ed has done this repeatedly.
1. He screws up royally by abusing the privileges he's been given 2. He professes that he had no idea that he screwed up 3. After numerous people explain carefully how he screwed up, he apologizes. Contritely. And professes earnestly his deep, abiding good faith and his intention never to screw up again. 4. People cheer Ed's contrition and praise his good works. He is not punished and his privileges are not removed. 5. After a few weeks have passed, Ed has forgotten any mistakes he's ever made and is happy to announce that he's always been successful in any actions he's taken to help Wikipedia.
Rinse, wash, repeat.