User:Iamunknown/ArbCom2007/Giano

I waited until today to vote to give myself sufficient time to consider Giano's campaign. I did not want our poor prior relations (archive) to colour my vote. I had several concerns, in particular regarding Giano's decorum, his temper and his treatment of the biographies of living persons.

I disagree with Giano's position regarding the biographies of living persons as I interpret them in his comments at a recent AfD. I do not, however, consider his opinion an obstacle. Instead, I think it stems from his passionate belief in our effort to create a free encyclopedia, as he says in his candidate statement. I do not think he would dispute some of the other basic tenets of BLP - that articles regarding those who are notable for a single event, for example, should be focused more on that event than on the person. I have not read anywhere that he states this, but I think it is reasonable, and I also think that he is reasonable.
Neither Giano's decorum nor temper is admirable. But I argue that Giano is endeavouring to make both more acceptable. Consider the following discussion. Giano makes a rude remark to Tony Sidaway (diff), a fellow editors recommends on his talk page that he refactor (diff) and he does (diff), very politely, in fact! Giano is hot-headed, but he is reasonable, and responds to criticism from his friends, if not his enemies. I think we will see more of this if he is elected to the Arbitration Committee - the Committee will be a tempering influence on Giano.

My concerns are lessened - but I have not explained why I think that Giano should be a member of the Arbitration Committee. The following are my thoughts.

Giano is definitely here for the encyclopedia, and we need that kind of vigour on the Arbitration Committee.
Giano is passionate. That can be a drawback, but I think it will be beneficial to have his passion on the Arbitration Committee.
Giano is, first and foremost, an editor. We need that element in our dispute resolution system, and Giano will bring it.
Giano's answers to questions on his questions page are thought-provoking. Consider his measured and dignified response to Piotrus's concerns about editors leaving the project due to frustration (especially with regards to ethnic conflicts): "I doubt any Arbcom will resolve very quickly the problems that world's finest diplomats cannot" (diff). I think that Giano's comments will continue to be thoughtful, and his participation in the Arbitration Committee helpful.

I am therefore voting for him. This is not a knee-jerk reaction on my part - in fact, any knee-jerk reaction most probably would have been the opposite! This is a considered reaction, and the conclusion is not what I expected. But after more than a week of consideration, I am voting for Giano for Arbitration Committee. I think that, should he be appointed, Giano will be a great and needed addition to the Arbitration Committee, and I am pleased to vote for him.

Iamunknown 02:08, 16 December 2007 (UTC)