RationalWiki:2020 board of trustees election/Campaigning

Hop on board the Trump Train Goat-Cart!

We are electing three trustees to serve a two year from 2020 to 2022. We are also electing a trustee to fill a vacant position that will expire in 2021.

"Campaigning" is for candidate promises & arguments in favor of their trustee-ship.

"Question time" is to ask candidates about their scandalous, hypocritical, and generally shitty behavior -- or anything at all you'd like to know their thoughts on.

"Endorsement sheet" is to endorse candidates.

Campaigning

GrammarCommie

Elect me to the board, what's the worst that could happen Comrades?

LeftyGreenMario

There's not much I can say, is there? This is probably not going to be a controversial one. Plumbers for power!

Dysk

What I want is to get the site software updated a tad, see a few new thingymabobs installed dreckly. Oh and y'all want mobile compatibility. Since y'know the board is apparently responsible for this shite happening, nothing has been done after I outlined a plan for this a year ago, a little nudge maybe, It's entirely possible nothing will happen so no promises. — Dysk (contribs) 21:18, 18 July 2020 (UTC)

RoninMacbeth

I suppose I'll keep this as brief as can be expected.

I fully admit I have been increasingly inactive on the wiki, and moreover that I chose to ran only reluctantly. Someone had to do it, and it might as well be me.

My opponents are all worthy people, and will be proactive and prudent custodians of the Mission. It is my request that each and every single one of them be voted ahead of me, so that these people who deserve a full term far more than me may carry out their rightful duty. I will be content to serve out the remainder of Duce's term until the next election happens.

That being said, I will solemnly resolve to look into the issues the Board faces with enthusiasm and diligence, and I vow to be more active on the wiki itself. Thank you, for either way I shall be honored to serve as a Board member.

Question time

Questions for Candidates

WILL WE TAKE THIS MORE SERIOUSLY OR NOT? --It's-a me, 🎄LeftyGreenMario!🎄 22:41, 17 July 2020 (UTC)

With that in mind, @LeftyGreenMario, will you check the Google Groups page more often? Spud (talk) 07:23, 19 July 2020 (UTC)

Yeah it's a bit off-the path IMO. I'll make more of an effort. :/ --It's-a me, 🎄LeftyGreenMario!🎄 17:13, 19 July 2020 (UTC)

Taking things seriously is for the weak and goatless. — Dysk (contribs) 21:19, 23 July 2020 (UTC)

Site upgrades

What is the candidates stance on sending @Tim Starling more cookies so he installs mobilefrontend, scributo, and templatestyles? — Z 12:11, 18 July 2020 (UTC)

I would send more cookies but I ate them all. This is my position. If elected I will try to bug Tim some more though. ☭Comrade GC☭^{Ministry of Praise} 15:01, 18 July 2020 (UTC)

Hmmmmm Did RationalWiki establish a bank account yet? --It's-a me, 🎄LeftyGreenMario!🎄 18:10, 18 July 2020 (UTC)

I, too, intend to bug Tim about this. RoninMacbeth (talk) 17:54, 19 July 2020 (UTC)

Cookies will be sent Tim's way if at all possible. — Dysk (contribs) 21:17, 23 July 2020 (UTC)

Fix <math></math>

— Godless Raven ^talk_stalk^walk_balk 🌹 15:43, 24 July 2020 (UTC)

Math is low priority we'll see how much can be done. — Dysk (contribs) 20:40, 25 July 2020 (UTC)

Make it high priority then, buddy. @D — Godless Raven ^talk_stalk^walk_balk 🌹 13:27, 26 July 2020 (UTC)

Transparency, honesty and integrity

I think transparency, honesty and integrity is a fundamental role of the RM board. How will you work towards this in your communications with the RationalMedia community? —cosmikdebris ^talk stalk 02:49, 19 July 2020 (UTC)

We usually document what goes on during a meeting, but we *can* probably log it somehow. Dunno. --It's-a me, 🎄LeftyGreenMario!🎄 17:14, 19 July 2020 (UTC)

I will push to ensure that the minutes of the Board (with usernames instead of real names) are placed somewhere on the wiki for users to examine. RoninMacbeth (talk) 17:54, 19 July 2020 (UTC)

I'm about as transparent as a steel door, I suppose I/we might do something eventually and tell y'all about it. I'll have to see how it goes. — Dysk (contribs) 21:16, 23 July 2020 (UTC)

Can you get up early on a Saturday?

Arranging times for Board meetings via Skype hasn't been easy, what with me being in Taiwan and other members being in the United States, Britain and other parts of Europe. Most meetings have started when it's been just after midnight on Sunday for me. That's Saturday afternoon in Britain and very early on a Saturday morning in most of the States. Is that all right with you? Spud (talk) 07:23, 19 July 2020 (UTC)

How early are we talking about here? RoninMacbeth (talk) 17:54, 19 July 2020 (UTC)

@Spud What would that be in UTC? I'm in CTZ here in the US, and Lefty is in California so they would be Pacific Daylight Time for her. ☭Comrade GC☭^{Ministry of Praise} 18:02, 19 July 2020 (UTC)

0:00 on Sunday in Taiwan is 16:00 on Saturday UTC. It's 10:00 on Saturday morning CTZ and 9:00 on Saturday morning Pacific Daylight Time. That doesn't sound too early, does it? Fortunately for you, I am flexible. I really don't mind starting a meeting after midnight on Saturday night, or any other night of the week either since I don't usually start work until four o'clock in the afternoon. But when it's Saturday morning in the States has generally been the best time for reaching everybody. Spud (talk) 12:58, 20 July 2020 (UTC)

9:00 a.m. on a Saturday? Yeah, that's easy. Barely even "early." RoninMacbeth (talk) 15:54, 20 July 2020 (UTC)

I should be able to make it. ☭Comrade GC☭^{Ministry of Praise} 20:54, 23 July 2020 (UTC)

I can do it unless I can't. Depends on my schedule at the time of the meeting. — Dysk (contribs) 21:14, 23 July 2020 (UTC)

D, surely you won't be busy every Saturday afternoon. There has to be at least one Saturday afternoon a month when you'll be free. Spud (talk) 03:12, 24 July 2020 (UTC)

Free time =/= free time with available internet connection. If everyone else sets a date I can attend it, I'm saying this to cover me back. — Dysk (contribs) 20:45, 25 July 2020 (UTC)

Grammarcommie

Does this mean that you're not going to leave the site? Because your profile clearly says that you do. Gunther1987 (talk) 10:54, 21 July 2020 (UTC)

I'm thinking on it. I only really ran because no one else seemed to want to at the time. ☭Comrade GC☭^{Ministry of Praise} 15:48, 24 July 2020 (UTC)

Membership in the RationalMedia board of trustees is a role that is completely independent of RationalWiki, and there is no requirement that a board member be a regular user of RationalWiki (see The RationalMedia Foundation's Role in the ownership and operation of RationalWiki for details). @GrammarCommie or any other board member could drop into inactive status on the wiki and it would have no bearing on their role as a RMF board member as long as they perform the duties called for as a board member, and actively participate in the promotion and implementation of the mission and goals of the foundation. —cosmikdebris ^talk stalk 02:34, 25 July 2020 (UTC)

Grammarcommie 2

Since you're from Texas, have you ever seen Alex Jones? If so, did you call him out on his insane ramblings? Gunther1987 (talk) 11:14, 26 July 2020 (UTC)

@Gunther1987 Sadly no. He's based out of South Texas and I'm in the northern part of the state. I also don't leave the house much outside of social gatherings. I'd love to talk (not debate, that would be pointless) with him though, it would likely be a memorable experience. ☭Comrade GC☭^{Ministry of Praise} 03:19, 27 July 2020 (UTC)

Shabidoo's questions for candidates

RoninMacBeth

Do you think that the TV series Six Feet Under is pretentious and terribly slow? ShabiDOO 23:03, 24 July 2020 (UTC) @Shabidoo I have not watched it. But I can read a Wikipedia synopsis about it, so that should qualify me to answer. RoninMacbeth (talk) 17:48, 29 July 2020 (UTC)

LeftGreenMario

Could you really call a pureed potato and chickpea lasagna...an actual lasagna? ShabiDOO 23:03, 24 July 2020 (UTC)

Uh, first we gotta establish what an "actual lasagna" is. --It's-a me, 🎄LeftyGreenMario!🎄 21:26, 25 July 2020 (UTC)

Dysk

Do you think it's inappropriate to clip your toe nails on public transportation? ShabiDOO 23:03, 24 July 2020 (UTC)

No of course not. — Dysk (contribs) 20:47, 25 July 2020 (UTC)

GrammarCommie

¿Should English adopt the Spanish custom of using an inverted question mark at the beginning of interrogative sentences? ShabiDOO 23:03, 24 July 2020 (UTC)

No, this would be too confusing. ☭Comrade GC☭^{Ministry of Praise} 23:36, 24 July 2020 (UTC)

Candidate endorsement sheet

1. GrammarCommie (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · block user · vandal log · block log)

1. Endorsements

   1. I endorse GC for staff member. — Oxyaena ^Harass 13:56, 18 July 2020 (UTC)

Yes! Chef Moosolini’s Ristorante Italiano^{Make a Reservation} 15:12, 18 July 2020 (UTC)

1. 1. Ya, why no. --It's-a me, 🎄LeftyGreenMario!🎄 16:52, 18 July 2020 (UTC)
   2. -Flandres (talk) 18:08, 18 July 2020 (UTC)
   3. Of course. — Dysk (contribs) 21:22, 18 July 2020 (UTC)
   4. Yes. —cosmikdebris ^talk stalk 23:52, 18 July 2020 (UTC)
   5. GC and I got along well when we last met, so I wholeheartedly endorse their candidacy. RoninMacbeth (talk) 07:05, 19 July 2020 (UTC)
   6. Yes. Bongolian (talk) 18:13, 19 July 2020 (UTC)
   7. Competent, seems like he'd be a fine board member. Techpriest ^{(I am Alpharius! / / / )} 18:27, 19 July 2020 (UTC)
   8. Why the fuck not? ShabiDOO 20:20, 19 July 2020 (UTC)
   9. Looking forward to getting to know a bit more about who this user is in real life. Spud (talk) 13:05, 20 July 2020 (UTC)
   10. Gunther1987 (talk) 20:33, 24 July 2020 (UTC)
   11. interested in seeing mikes reaction to finding out who GC is irl tbh. — Z 02:52, 25 July 2020 (UTC)

   Anti-endorsements

   1. Terrible person, terrible user, renounced their mod position before. I don't see any benefit in having them as board members considering their character. — Godless Raven ^talk_stalk^walk_balk 🌹 15:47, 24 July 2020 (UTC)

      — Oxyaena ^Harass 18:28, 24 July 2020 (UTC)

      To be fair, that first accusation is probably true. I am very likely a horrible person. ☭Comrade GC☭^{Ministry of Praise} 20:17, 24 July 2020 (UTC)

      And if we were to believe every (right-wing)troll, you're also a communist, because username!!!1!1!! Gunther1987 (talk) 23:33, 24 July 2020 (UTC)

      Technically GC is a socialist by his own admittance of being a left-wing anticapitalist but not a communist probably. — Z 02:41, 25 July 2020 (UTC)

      This is correct, I am not a communist. And as I stated before, Raven is probably correct, I am likely a terrible person. ☭Comrade GC☭^{Ministry of Praise} 14:20, 25 July 2020 (UTC)

      You have a personal vendetta with GC, from what I've found in the chicken coop. Those first 2 points you're making are linked with something that occured in June. Point 3 was apparently, because of Bernie giving up and the whole site was in a "vote Blue or vote Trump" state. Gunther1987 (talk) 20:33, 24 July 2020 (UTC)

      Raven is the socdem version of Trump, just ignore him. — Oxyaena ^Harass 20:55, 24 July 2020 (UTC)

      I was under the impression GC resigned because of stress incurred from playing referee in a bunch a saloon bar conflicts which got very ugly very fast. I can see why one might stop wanting to sift through all of it.-Flandres (talk) 21:44, 24 July 2020 (UTC)

      @Oxyaena That actually sounds pretty awful... Gunther1987 (talk) 23:18, 24 July 2020 (UTC)

   2. See here-Hastur! (talk) 18:00, 29 July 2020 (UTC)
   3. Second Hastur. I've revoked my earlier endorsement. Recent erratic and unacceptable behavior has changed my mind on this candidate. Chef Moosolini’s Ristorante Italiano^{Make a Reservation} 21:44, 1 August 2020 (UTC)

2. LeftyGreenMario (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · block user · vandal log · block log)

1. Endorsements

   1. I like. — Z 15:00, 18 July 2020 (UTC)
   2. Was a pleasure to work with. Chef Moosolini’s Ristorante Italiano^{Make a Reservation} 15:12, 18 July 2020 (UTC)
   3. She's one of the most level headead people here and clearly has the best interest of RW in her mind.Coigreach (talk) 17:55, 18 July 2020 (UTC)
   4. Flandres (talk) 18:08, 18 July 2020 (UTC)
   5. Heard is pro-furry. — Dysk (contribs) 21:22, 18 July 2020 (UTC)
   6. Absolutely. —cosmikdebris ^talk stalk 23:52, 18 July 2020 (UTC)
   7. Levelheaded and responsible, very good fit for the Board. RoninMacbeth (talk) 07:05, 19 July 2020 (UTC)
   8. Apart from all the good qualities you all already know about, having a little chat with her is very nice indeed and I look forward to doing it again. Spud (talk) 07:23, 19 July 2020 (UTC)
   9. Yes. Bongolian (talk) 18:13, 19 July 2020 (UTC)
   10. Solid, levelheaded and seems like she knows how to resolve problems. Nice to work with. Techpriest ^{(I am Alpharius! / / / )} 18:27, 19 July 2020 (UTC)
   11. There isn't a better candidate. ShabiDOO 20:20, 19 July 2020 (UTC)
   12. — Godless Raven ^talk_stalk^walk_balk 🌹 15:47, 24 July 2020 (UTC)
   13. Gunther1987 (talk) 20:45, 24 July 2020 (UTC)

   Anti-endorsements

   1. Is generally quite a good moderator, both patient and reasonable with good judgement. Ergo one might assume she'd make a good board member. However she is suspiciously tolerant of furries and admits to being lefthanded therefore the only reason I would possibly vote for her is to make sure Donald Trump loses. #Bernie2020-Hastur! (talk) 17:00, 18 July 2020 (UTC)

      Anti-endorsing me for the sake of a furry denigrating joke is not cool at all. Seriously. --It's-a me, 🎄LeftyGreenMario!🎄 17:05, 18 July 2020 (UTC)

      You must be drunker than I am if you think that was a furry joke-Hastur! (talk) 17:08, 18 July 2020 (UTC)

      You're an idiot. — Oxyaena ^Harass 18:04, 18 July 2020 (UTC)

      Crass remark. — Dysk (contribs) 21:22, 18 July 2020 (UTC

      Lamest anti-endorsement ever ShabiDOO 20:22, 19 July 2020 (UTC)

3. D (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · block user · vandal log · block log)

1. Endorsements

   1. They seem good with technical stuff, and we sorely need some updates to our site. RoninMacbeth (talk) 07:05, 19 July 2020 (UTC)
   2. Sure, seems fit for the job. --It's-a me, 🎄LeftyGreenMario!🎄 17:15, 19 July 2020 (UTC)
   3. Yes. Bongolian (talk) 18:13, 19 July 2020 (UTC)
   4. Perhaps I'll get to ask him what happened to Wikilivres. Spud (talk) 13:05, 20 July 2020 (UTC)

      I had a mental breakdown and during the approximately 4 month period I was unavailable, Wikiliveres ran out of money cause I was paying for the whole thing and the person I left as backup sysadmin was broke. This caused the hosting provider to discontinue the hosting account due to $150 (circa) unpaid charges, which in turn resulted in the site being lost because there was no working redundancy. I tried sometime later to restore it from a backup but said backup was corrupted in some way I couldn't determine, I gave up and let the domain expire. And that was the end of the site... I couldn't remember exactly who was running it before and didn't have their contact details and made zero effort to find anyone else to reestablish it anyhow. — Dysk (contribs) 21:30, 23 July 2020 (UTC)

      Thank you for the explanation. You know, the site is back now. Kind of. The main pager is there and a few of the links work. Most of them don't. Anyway, I won't be editing it again. Its entire history has been far too unstable. And I was an admin on more wikis than I could cope with. I was really quite happy to lose one. Spud (talk) 03:25, 24 July 2020 (UTC)

   5. Good with technical stuff, and wants mobile version. --RWRW (talk) 14:58, 24 July 2020 (UTC)
   6. — Godless Raven ^talk_stalk^walk_balk 🌹 15:47, 24 July 2020 (UTC)

   Anti-endorsements

   1. smells — Z 02:48, 25 July 2020 (UTC)

      So, you're anti-endorsing someone, because of bad personal hygiene? How would you know? I've heard of a monitor or smartphone that let's you smell the odor of the person you're talking too... Gunther1987 (talk) 11:50, 25 July 2020 (UTC)

      @Gunther1987 It's a joke, chill. D is Z's brother. — Godless Raven ^talk_stalk^walk_balk 🌹 14:45, 25 July 2020 (UTC)

      No U. — Dysk (contribs) 20:51, 25 July 2020 (UTC)

   2. Nuked the old RW support chat Discord server over a Coop case, thusly demonstrating poor judgment. If the candidate has changed, so be it. ☭Comrade GC☭^{Ministry of Praise} 21:30, 31 July 2020 (UTC)

4. RoninMacbeth (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · block user · vandal log · block log)

1. Endorsements

   1. — Oxyaena ^Harass 04:03, 19 July 2020 (UTC)
   2. Yup, I won't mind working with this person during the meetings. --It's-a me, 🎄LeftyGreenMario!🎄 17:15, 19 July 2020 (UTC)
   3. Yes. Bongolian (talk) 18:13, 19 July 2020 (UTC)
   4. He gud Chef Moosolini’s Ristorante Italiano^{Make a Reservation} 18:52, 19 July 2020 (UTC)
   5. Looking forward to getting to know a bit more about who this user is in real life. Spud (talk) 13:05, 20 July 2020 (UTC)
   6. Yep. — Dysk (contribs) 21:34, 23 July 2020 (UTC)
   7. --RWRW (talk) 18:07, 24 July 2020 (UTC)
   8. — Z 02:48, 25 July 2020 (UTC)

   Anti-endorsements

Goat

What happens now that there are four vacancies and four candidates? What exactly will this election determine?-Flandres (talk) 00:55, 19 July 2020 (UTC)

Hopefully, that we don't take ourselves too seriously here. —cosmikdebris ^talk stalk 02:33, 19 July 2020 (UTC)

that democracy once again worked perfectly. — Z 02:47, 19 July 2020 (UTC)

The candidate with the least votes gets the 1 year seat, the other 3 people get the 2 year seats. See, it's valid. — Dysk (contribs) 21:35, 23 July 2020 (UTC)

i still fail to see the purpose of an election where all we have to go on is on wiki behaviour for positions that would ordinary be filled after considering the CVs of candidates. AMassiveGay (talk) 15:16, 26 July 2020 (UTC)

the board doesn't really do anything it's just required to keep the legal status for donations to maintain the site. All this process is, is an annual dare for the peeps here to dox themselves on a public registry website in exchange for a staff role that does literally nothing anyway. CVs and stuff would be overcomplicating it. — Z 19:49, 26 July 2020 (UTC)

I mean, nominally the board handles the finances to some degree, as well as pushing for site upgrades. ☭Comrade GC☭^{Ministry of Praise} 02:58, 27 July 2020 (UTC)