[WikiEN-l] VfD vs. Wikipedia:

[Essjay -Wikipedia-]

(First, hello all, please be patient with me, as this is my first post to 
the mailing list and I'm sure I'll do something wrong in the process.)

I have a very specific question that I can't seem to find an answer to, and 
it seems that the mailing list is the best way to get a definative answer, 
particularly from our Fearless Leader. Everyone knows that there have been a 
couple of recent VfD's that have created havoc on the site, and have been 
commented on ad nauseam. I don't want to rehash those particular examples, 
rather, I want an answer to this question:

Is it appropriate for the fate of pages in the Wikipedia: (project) 
namespace to be decided on VfD?

The deletion policy is vague on the issue. I understand that the recent 
VfD's have involved specific issues that many would consider exeptions to 
policy, but all I want to know is, is it okay for otherwise acceptible pages 
in the project namespace to be VfD'd:

1) If I propose a policy in good faith, is it acceptible to disregard 
standard proceedure for gaining consensus and instead list the page on VfD, 
and if it survives, consider it policy, and if it fails, consider it dead?
2) If so, can established policies/guidlines be overturned by a VfD. For 
example, WP:BITE.
3) Finally, if established policy is subject to VfD, is official policy, for 
example, NPA and NPOV, subject to VfD, and if not, why is it any different 
from other policies that have gained consesus but are deletable under #2?

My guess is, getting a definative answer on the issue is about as likely as 
finding a flying pig, but I'm putting it out there nonetheless. I'd really 
like to see an answer in the form of: "No, VfD can't touch policy, including 
proposed policy" or "yes, all pages are subject to VfD." Bonus points if the 
header of that response says "From: jwales"

Thanks all for your patience,

Essjay
---------
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Essjay
Wikipedia:The Free Encyclopedia
www.wikipedia.org

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