Talk:Smiley face murder theory: Difference between revisions
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{{WP Crime|class=C|importance=mid}} |
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{{WikiProject Death|importance=low}} |
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{{WikiProject Skepticism|importance=low}} |
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{{WikiProject Crime and Criminal Biography|serialkiller=yes|serialkiller-imp=mid|importance=mid}} |
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== AP Article about Thanksgiving, 2014 == |
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==The May Day Mystery== |
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_May_Day_Mystery |
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notice smiley is part of the mystery {{unsigned|69.207.181.23}} |
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http://news.yahoo.com/body-missing-pa-college-student-recovered-195547184.html |
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The article doesn't mention it, but by my count, many thousands of young men have drowned in the years in which this case is being looked at. Is it really so beyond chance that a smiley, one of the most common pieces of graffiti anywhere, would be found somewhere near 22 or the suspected sites? The article also doesn't mention that the smilies don't look much alike: there's no distinctive signature shape to their design. <small>—Preceding [[Wikipedia:Signatures|unsigned]] comment added by [[Special:Contributions/76.189.197.62|76.189.197.62]] ([[User talk:76.189.197.62|talk]]) 19:53, 11 June 2008 (UTC)</small><!-- Template:UnsignedIP --> <!--Autosigned by SineBot--> |
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Here is an article about West Chester University student, Shane Montgomery, who disappeared on Thanksgiving after a night out with friends: Found in the Schuylkill River, in the city's Manayunk neighborhood. |
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{{....FBI Supervisory Special Agent J.J. Klaver said Saturday a body was recovered behind the |
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The problem I have is that everyone acts like there were only smiley faces.The fact that Pat Brown only points out the smiley faces and ignores everything else should have raised a red flag.She should be dismissed as being a reputable source.I am not even allowed to point out there was other graffiti even though I give my source.The fact there was more than smiley faces does not convince me there was a killer but the way information is provided is reasonable proof of bias by both Pat Brown and Wikepedia. <small><span class="autosigned">—Preceding [[Wikipedia:Signatures|unsigned]] comment added by [[User:Ethan46|Ethan46]] ([[User talk:Ethan46|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Ethan46|contribs]]) 17:29, 7 July 2009 (UTC)</span></small><!-- Template:Unsigned --> <!--Autosigned by SineBot--> |
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Manayunk Brew Pub, less than a 10-minute walk from Kildare's....}} |
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:What you say may be true... however please read [[WP:NOT]]... No matter how tempting it may be, Wikipedia is not a soapbox for rationality, rather it documents notable... for lack of a better word, "things". That you and I both think that the theory is probably hogwash doesn't detract from the fact that this was reported; and is therefore encyclopedic. Its inclusion as a ''phenomenon'' in wikipedia is not an endorsement of the phenomenon's claims to truth (see [[Geocentrism]], for example). That having been said, the article could probably be better worded, and (not living in the states, and never having seen it reported) it ''might'' not actually be notable. --[[User:Storkk|Storkk]] ([[User talk:Storkk|talk]]) 18:45, 26 June 2008 (UTC) |
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:Said maybe better, a theory's ''truth'' is irrelevant to its inclusion in Wikipedia... only its [[WP:NOTABLE|notability]]. Cheers, --[[User:Storkk|Storkk]] ([[User talk:Storkk|talk]]) 18:50, 26 June 2008 (UTC) |
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As police and other reliable sources have argued that the smiley faces could both be accidental and were not found in connection with the murder scenes anyway, I have included those sources. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 22:48, 9 August 2008 (UTC) |
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==Content from redirected page== |
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[[User:Skoch3|Skoch3]] ([[User talk:Skoch3|talk]]) 05:26, 27 May 2008 (UTC): Why was all of the content [http://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Smiley_Face_Killers&oldid=209111169 on this page] deleted and not included after redirect? |
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:I don't know, but feel free to add it to the article. [[User:Like A Rainbow|Like A Rainbow]] ([[User talk:Like A Rainbow|talk]]) 05:56, 27 May 2008 (UTC) |
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==Page name?== |
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I noticed that [[Smiley face murders]] was just changed to redirect here. Shouldn't it be vice versa? I understand the desire to keep a [[WP:NPOV]] but we can't make up [[WP:NEO|neologisms]] either. Take a look at the Google results, the sources call them the "smiley face murders": [http://www.google.com/search?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=&=&q=%22smiley+face+killings%22&btnG=Google+Search] [http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&q=%22smiley+face+murders%22&btnG=Search]. Also whatever the title is should follow [[WP:MOSTITLE]] ("Killings" or "Murders" shouldn't be capitalized in the name, and I'm not sure about "Face" either) [[User:Oren0|Oren0]] ([[User talk:Oren0|talk]]) 23:08, 28 June 2008 (UTC) |
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:I moved this page back to [[Smiley face murders]]. [[User:Oren0|Oren0]] ([[User talk:Oren0|talk]]) 18:55, 9 August 2008 (UTC) |
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==External Links== |
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I noticed there was only ONE external link to this wiki page. I know of many other sites to be added. On top of that, there are high traffic forum discussion threads that could be added, like the posts at God Like Productions (GLP) and Above Top Secret (ATS). I've been editing a lot of pages (adding links) and I got a warning so I might have to add them tomorrow. [[User:Momochan86|Momochan86]] ([[User talk:Momochan86|talk]]) 23:51, 28 March 2009 (UTC)momochan86 |
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== Two deleted topics == |
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[[User:DreamGuy]] has deleted two sections (and references) as 'original research' with his own ''stated'' POV belief these were ''not'' "drunk drown people (who) were murdered". These are current topics in the news in a developing story. To avoid a revert war, I'm looking for consensus one way or the other. |
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=== Canadian link === |
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Twenty two college-age men have disappeared in British Columbia, which have similarities to the US victimology. Investigators have been reluctant to link the disappearances to the US deaths or even each other. The public is calling for an investigation..<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.canada.com/vancouvercourier/news/story.html?id=26d28beb-88d2-43c2-8ccd-3e742db307f6|title=Missing|date=2008-05-21|work=CanWest MediaWorks Publications|publisher=Vancouver Courier|accessdate=2009-03-30}}</ref><ref name="Lola">{{cite web|url=http://hazel8500.wordpress.com/missing-men-in-canada/|title=Missing Men in Canada|last=Thunder|first=Lola|date=2008-05-21|publisher=Hazel8500|accessdate=2009-03-30}}</ref><ref name="CC">{{cite web|url=http://www.sfkillers.com/?p=95|title=Canadian Connection|last=Piehl|first=Kristi|date=2009-02-17|publisher=sfkillers.com|accessdate=2009-03-30}}</ref> |
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:Notice that 2 of the 3 references are not mere bloggers as [[User:DreamGuy]] believes. One is CanWest News Service and the other is by KSTP journalist, Kristi Piehl, who helped break this developing story. No one yet claims there is a link, but families and journalists are seeking answers. |
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=== Questions of sexual discrimination === |
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Families and news staff on both sides of the US-Canadian border question the lack of official concern for young missing men as opposed to missing women.<ref name="Mason">{{cite news|url=http://kstp.com/article/stories/S418332.shtml?cat=1v=1|title=What if young women went missing?|last=Mason|first=John|coauthors=Muehlhausen, Nicole|date=2008-04-23|publisher=KSTP|accessdate=2009-03-30}}</ref><ref name="vics">{{cite web|url=http://sfkillers.com/?page_id=33|title=The Victims|last=Piehl|first=Kristi|date=2009-02-08|publisher=sfkillers.com|accessdate=2009-03-30}}</ref> |
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:Here [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] states "majorly POV pushing (it's not sexist to not believe drunk drown people were murdered)". It seems to me that it takes a "majorly POV" to reject statements by (a) a KSTP news anchor and (b) a web site established by investigators specifically for this case. By those lights, this article shouldn't exist at all. However, as a crime writer, I can attest that families and maverick investigators sometimes get it right. |
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The question is: Should these topics be included or not included? |
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Thank you for your opinion. --[[User:UnicornTapestry|UnicornTapestry]] ([[User talk:UnicornTapestry|talk]]) 13:42, 30 March 2009 (UTC) |
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:The basic problem here is that Wikipedia is not to be used for advocacy purposes, and that's what a number of these edits were doing. Blog reports (whether Kristi Piehl made the blog entry or not is irrelevant -- if she as a news reporter couldn't get it into mainstream coverage when she normally does coverage that shows that her bosses didn't consider it noteworthy, so why should we?) would be the material that isn't relevant to get mainstream news coverage and so are less likely to be able to be put into the article. The claim of sexual discrimination is a particularly bizarre one to be making, as the police response is that these people drowned because they were drunk. Gender wouldn't have anything to do with it, and suggesting it does based upon some blog posts is reckless. |
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:If you check out our [[WP:NPOV]] policy, particularly the [[WP:UNDUE]] weight clause, you'll see that we are supposed to present views based upon the reliability and expertise of the sources. The FBI, police departments, leading criminologists and so forth all say that these people died of accidental deaths. We can mention the idea that it wasnt accidental (and indeed the article wouldn't exist otherwise), but we cannot give those claims the majority of the space in the article, as that would be clearly slanted to promote the fringe minority view. If a news anchor trying for publicity and some relatives of dead kids refuse to accept what the authorities say and think there was some serial killer or killers magically dragging big athletic frat boys into water to hope they drown of natural causes instead of getting out and kicking their asses, fine, they can believe whatever they want. But Wikipedia is not a [[WP:SOAPBOX]] for them to present every argument they make. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 13:57, 30 March 2009 (UTC) |
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==Bias and Slander Wikipedia== |
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SHAME ON WIKEPEDIA |
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I provided accurate information and provided sources as proof.The bias is ridiculous.If you guys had your way you would rename the article Smiley Face killer theory is BS.The article is garbage. |
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EVERY THING I ADDED WAS IN THE ARTICLES.EVERY SINGLE THING. |
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PADILLAH MADE CHANGES WITH NO EXPLANATION.I do not believe this site to be reputable <small><span class="autosigned">—Preceding [[Wikipedia:Signatures|unsigned]] comment added by [[User:Ethan46|Ethan46]] ([[User talk:Ethan46|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Ethan46|contribs]]) 17:49, 7 July 2009 (UTC)</span></small><!-- Template:Unsigned --> <!--Autosigned by SineBot--> |
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It makes me ill that you allow someone to make a reputable detective that has done more work than the FBI or Pat Brown look like a fool.Shame on you.Thanks to people like yourself that don't like this article to be less one sided it will be easier to dismiss a drowning as a drunken accident every time a young man goes into a bar and has a drink or two.Thanks to you, people can ignore certain facts like the statement made by a law enforcement official "it was unusual for 3 young men around the same age to drown in such a short period of time".They can also ignore that that two of those were volunteers for an ambulance corps.They can also ignore that 2 out of 3 victims in the northeast in less then a 45 day period were disc jockeys.It is way too easy to dismiss one small part while those of us that know more are faced with a hard sell and are censored by people who keep the discussion one sided. |
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No one has provided info that the FBI has done that much work and yet we are supposed to believe their opinion means something.The only evidence that is offered is that the FBI interviewed an individual that provided information to the detectives.Pat Brown only talks about the smiley faces and ignores the other graffiti.Dream Guy is trying to keep this article biased and one sided.The police as a whole have not rejected the theory.I am well informed about many cases and my additions to the article are removed. |
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'''factual info that was removed complete with sources.''' |
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Other similarities |
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Deputy Inspector Robert Martin made the following comment according to a Daily News reporter."it is "a little unusual to have three males in the river, of that age bracket, within 15 months,". He was referring to the drownings of Joshua Bender,Larry Andrews and Patrick McNeil in New York.Joshua Bender and Patrick McNeil were both volunteers for an Ambulance Corps. |
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Also underneath where pat Brown dismisses the smiley faces |
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More than just smiley faces |
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During an interview with Milwaukee Magazine Gannon said “The smiley faces are one-thirteenth of the evidence we have" Gannon also said. “We found 13 distinct signs, symbols and markings.” He said the FBI is “not actively looking” at this evidence [10] |
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([[User:Ethan46|Ethan46]] ([[User talk:Ethan46|talk]]) 12:57, 7 July 2009 (UTC)). |
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:First, I would enjoin you to try and keep your talkpage entries as linear as possible. It's easier to follow the thread of the conversation that way. Second, you are stepping into a well known and perilous trap: the difference between truth and verifiability. If you can provide outside, third-party, trustworthy sources that make the same arguments you are putting forth then neither DreamGuy nor I have any business removing those statements (and believe me when I tell you, DreamGuy knows this). However, it doesn't matter at all how solid an argument you make, that's called Original Research. If you tried to convince us that water was wet we wouldn't care if you didn't have citations. So, convincing arguments will get you nowhere, bring us a citation from a newspaper or book and it'll go in with little problem. [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 14:56, 7 July 2009 (UTC) |
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There are several people who have clear bias that have been abusing Wiki. They force thier rejection theories while rejecting and deleting clear patterns that have been documented in the media, both print newspapers and Internet. |
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One of these people (boyinthemachine) has been spreading his rejection theories all over the Internet and deleting data that doesn't fit his unusual views. |
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I deleted the rejection theory post because it is full of errors and lacks critical sources. It falsely claims that the Minneapolis Police have rejected the Smiley Face theory. They give no source. Actually the opposite is true. The police discused the theory with the national media and have not ruled out or rejected the smiley face theory in the Chris Jenkins case. |
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Boyinthemachine and DreamGuy both have stated or implied that a certain named person is the one doing the editing. There is no evidence for this and is libal, for which Wikipedia is responsible for. |
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Boyinthemachine even stated that this person was unprofessional because he was doing this editing. Again, there is no evidence for this. Wiki should remove such comments before it faces a lawsuit. <span style="font-size: smaller;" class="autosigned">—Preceding [[Wikipedia:Signatures|unsigned]] comment added by [[Special:Contributions/71.13.27.175|71.13.27.175]] ([[User talk:71.13.27.175|talk]]) 23:33, 13 April 2009 (UTC)</span><!-- Template:UnsignedIP --> <!--Autosigned by SineBot--> |
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It was Kondracki in Wisconsin that rejected the serial killer theory despite one young man being chased into the water and another drowning victim being described as terrified of water. <small><span class="autosigned">—Preceding [[Wikipedia:Signatures|unsigned]] comment added by [[User:Ethan46|Ethan46]] ([[User talk:Ethan46|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Ethan46|contribs]]) 19:34, 6 July 2009 (UTC)</span></small><!-- Template:Unsigned --> <!--Autosigned by SineBot--> |
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*** |
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Police: Evidence doesn't support TV report on Jenkins' death |
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"Minneapolis homicide investigators have been investigating Jenkins' disappearance and death since 2002, the police statement noted. "Although we have collaborated with investigators from the FBI and communicated with other jurisdictions in which similar drownings have occurred, we can neither confirm nor endorse the 'Smiley Face Murders' theory currently being publicized." |
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http://www.startribune.com/local/18375754.html |
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The problem here is that the one article you site states that the PD "neither confirm nor endorse the Smiley Face Murders theory". This is different from what is claimed on Wiki. The Wiki page says the PD rejected the theory. Not confirming the theory and rejecting the theory are two different things. But your lack of brain activity cannot compute this. You have been preaching your rejection theory all over the Internet for so long now, that you want all real evidence to be deleted so it doesn't make you look like the mindless jerk that you are. <span style="font-size: smaller;" class="autosigned">—Preceding [[Wikipedia:Signatures|unsigned]] comment added by [[Special:Contributions/71.13.27.175|71.13.27.175]] ([[User talk:71.13.27.175|talk]]) 10:47, 14 April 2009 (UTC)</span><!-- Template:UnsignedIP --> <!--Autosigned by SineBot--> |
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FBI Statement Regarding Midwest River Deaths |
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"Over the past several years, law enforcement and the FBI have received information about young, college-aged men who were found deceased in rivers in the Midwest. The FBI has reviewed the information about the victims provided by two retired police detectives, who have dubbed these incidents the “Smiley Face Murders,” and interviewed an individual who provided information to the detectives. To date, we have not developed any evidence to support links between these tragic deaths or any evidence substantiating the theory that these deaths are the work of a serial killer or killers. The vast majority of these instances appear to be alcohol-related drownings. The FBI will continue to work with the local police in the affected areas to provide support as requested,” said Supervisory Special Agent Richard J. Kolko, Washington, D.C." |
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http://www.fbi.gov/pressrel/pressrel08/statement042908.htm |
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This individual is attempting to delete all criticism and the discrediting of the theory in order to promote a biased account in favor of the theory. |
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This individual is also presenting individual fringe theories as being important to the case. This is not the place for every person's individual theories or specualtion. This is in fact, classic soapbox behavior.[[User:BoyintheMachine|BoyintheMachine]] ([[User talk:BoyintheMachine|talk]]) 06:35, 14 April 2009 (UTC) |
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To the anonymous IP who keeps trying to edit this page: Please read [[WP:NPOV]], which is the policy on Neutral Point of View. This guideline dictates that we as editors display information in a balanced way. This article is not perfect, but since the FBI and major law enforcement agencies have not endorsed the theory of serial killer(s) on the loose, we must present it as only a theory. We are not supposed to convince the world that a theory is correct, only show what evidence exists and also show the evidence against. Also, please read [[WP:EQ]] to see what is appropriate to say in Wikipedia. Avoid threats and insults. One important quote in Wikiquette is, "Assume good faith." There are alot of guidelines to help us as editors come together to reach consensus. I suggest you read through some of them to understand where the other other editors are coming from. [[User:Angryapathy|Angryapathy]] ([[User talk:Angryapathy|talk]]) 12:24, 14 April 2009 (UTC) |
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==Theory by Mike Flaherty== |
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This Mike Flaherty person appears to just be some private individual with a bizarre theory (spelling words ). There is no indication that this theory has received any serious press attention. We cannot devote a section of this article to completely unknown people's ideas, especially as the original theory is [[WP:FRINGE]] to begin with. We can't cover the fringe's fringe. I've [http://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Smiley_face_murders&diff=281516604&oldid=281455073 removed] it all, giving the reasons why it doesn't belong, but an anon IP account continually adds this section every time it is removed. For all I know it's Mike Flaherty himself. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 15:12, 11 April 2009 (UTC) |
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:Apparently the only justification that IP user gives for putting the material back is ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Smiley_face_murders&diff=283277427&oldid=283275651 "I will continue to overrule the Wiki-dictator DreamGuy who tries to force his bias on this blog."]'' |
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OK< it's gotten far worse now. The IP address adding the info about the personal theory of someone nobody has heard of also has now removed all information showing that the police departments, FBI and etc. think the main theory is nonsense, and has also stopped even calling this crazy side theory a theory and calls it a "discovery". This article should not be used to promote personal opinions, especially when the overwhelming expert opinion has been removed. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 15:13, 12 April 2009 (UTC) |
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The Rejection secion was removed because it contained errors and lacked critical sources. See the Bias and Slander section for a better explaination of this. <span style="font-size: smaller;" class="autosigned">—Preceding [[Wikipedia:Signatures|unsigned]] comment added by [[Special:Contributions/71.13.27.175|71.13.27.175]] ([[User talk:71.13.27.175|talk]]) 00:03, 14 April 2009 (UTC)</span><!-- Template:UnsignedIP --> <!--Autosigned by SineBot--> |
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...snip... (this section removed according to WP:OUTING policy.) |
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None of the sources provided refer to Mike Flaherty except for the smiley face website that is unreliable. This section does not even come close to meeting WP guidelines and needs to be removed, and if the IP editor disagrees, then an administrator needs to be notified. [[User:Angryapathy|Angryapathy]] ([[User talk:Angryapathy|talk]]) 13:52, 13 April 2009 (UTC) |
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Anon IP (71.13.27.175) and BoyintheMachine: Please stop the [[WP:OUTING]] or you will both be blocked from editing Wikipedia. I'm not entirely sure what's been said already isn't sufficient to get you both indef blocked. If you have any questions about what you've done wrong please see an admin or read[[WP:OUT]]. [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 12:23, 14 April 2009 (UTC) |
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Padillah, Boyinthemachine has been posting libalous and undocumented statements on Wiki and other blogs. Like many people on the Internet, he thinks he can post whatever he wants and nobody will know who he really is because he uses a screen name. I am exposing who he is so people can sue him for libal and let him know in other ways how they feel about his childish rants. I cannot be blocked because I have endless IP's. I would be happy to quit posting, if Boyinthemachine apologizes for his libal and removes his libalous posts. <span style="font-size: smaller;" class="autosigned">—Preceding [[Wikipedia:Signatures|unsigned]] comment added by [[Special:Contributions/71.13.27.175|71.13.27.175]] ([[User talk:71.13.27.175|talk]]) 12:44, 14 April 2009 (UTC)</span><!-- Template:UnsignedIP --> <!--Autosigned by SineBot--> |
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:Please understand: I have notified an Administrator of the actions on this page. They are completely out of line and you are likley going to be blocked for making legal threats as well as trying to reveal others identities. We do not care if you are trying to expose someone, don't do it here. We don't care if you are trying to stop libelous statements: Don't do it here. This is an encyclopedia, or, at least, it's trying to be. And if you keep distracting people from getting the facts right how will it ever improve? Stop the crusade and edit in accordance with it's policies and you might find it's a easier place to be. Try and do an end-run around it's policies and guidelines and you will find your time here very difficult. If you truely believe you cannot be blocked because you "have endless IPs" I feel very sorry for you and the learning you are about to receive. It's your choice. [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 12:54, 14 April 2009 (UTC) |
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Wiki is a two way street, deleting a post because of bias is not a good example of a real encyclopedia. I dare you to try to block me. As long as libal is posted here, I have the right and duty to expose the libaler. As it stands now, I am OK with this page, but if someone adds something libalous, I will make things difficult for them and for anyone else who helps them. See, I was just blocked again, and I'm back. There is no need for acting silly here, just stop the libal! <span style="font-size: smaller;" class="autosigned">—Preceding [[Wikipedia:Signatures|unsigned]] comment added by [[Special:Contributions/97.92.81.168|97.92.81.168]] ([[User talk:97.92.81.168|talk]]) 13:16, 14 April 2009 (UTC)</span><!-- Template:UnsignedIP --> <!--Autosigned by SineBot--> |
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:Semi-protected this talk page for the day. IP user, if you have concerns of this nature, please bring it up on [[WP:AN/I]] or a similar forum rather than engage in this sort of behavior. --[[User talk:SB_Johnny|<font color="green">'''SB_Johnny'''</font>]] | <sup>[[User_talk:SB_Johnny|<font color="green">talk</font>]]</sup> 13:23, 14 April 2009 (UTC) |
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::I've been watching this and brought up the outing [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Administrators%27_noticeboard/Incidents#Smiley_face_murders_-_Legal_threat.2Fouting.2FCOI.2Fswitching_IP in the second paragraph there.] This needs to stop and now. I will be posting more at the [[WP:ANI]] to see if we can get someone to at least oversight this talk page and if necessary the article history. I will say more later at the board. Please read [[WP:Outing]]. [[WP:AGF]] and [[WP:NPA]] for starters. Thanks, --[[User:Crohnie|<span style="color:purpled">'''Crohnie'''</span><span style="color:deeppink">'''Gal'''</span>]][[User talk:Crohnie|<span style="color:deepskyblue"><sup>Talk</sup></span>]] 13:49, 14 April 2009 (UTC) |
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:::I'd delete them but I think oversight is needed here. [[User:Gwen Gale|Gwen Gale]] ([[User talk:Gwen Gale|talk]]) 13:50, 14 April 2009 (UTC) |
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::::I agree but I've never done oversight before so not sure how to. Did you make the request? Also, as I said [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Administrators%27_noticeboard/Incidents#Smiley_face_murders_-_Legal_threat.2Fouting.2FCOI.2Fswitching_IP I think some indifinite blocks should be done and sock drawers found and emptied.] Are you able and willing to do this for me? If so, would you supply me the links to it on my talk page so I can see how you did it? At least this can be a learning experience for me. :) Thanks Gwen,--[[User:Crohnie|<span style="color:purpled">'''Crohnie'''</span><span style="color:deeppink">'''Gal'''</span>]][[User talk:Crohnie|<span style="color:deepskyblue"><sup>Talk</sup></span>]] 14:22, 14 April 2009 (UTC) |
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::::::I don't have scads of time to hunt for diffs now. If someone can give them to me, I'll ask for oversight. As for sock drawers, the semiprotection should stop the roving IP. Are there any user accounts other than BitM, who has been warned? [[User:Gwen Gale|Gwen Gale]] ([[User talk:Gwen Gale|talk]]) 14:27, 14 April 2009 (UTC) |
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(undented) I'm only aware of that account and the anon IP, two accounts that I am aware of so far I'll get difs later as i am tired too much right now and am getting ready to leave the computer, that is if no one else gets to it. Thanks, --[[User:Crohnie|<span style="color:purpled">'''Crohnie'''</span><span style="color:deeppink">'''Gal'''</span>]][[User talk:Crohnie|<span style="color:deepskyblue"><sup>Talk</sup></span>]] 14:31, 14 April 2009 (UTC) |
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:I made an oversight request for the diffs I know about. Crohnie: if anything's missed, you just send an email through [[WP:RFO]]. --[[User talk:SB_Johnny|<font color="green">'''SB_Johnny'''</font>]] | <sup>[[User_talk:SB_Johnny|<font color="green">talk</font>]]</sup> 14:33, 14 April 2009 (UTC) |
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== WP:OUT talk section == |
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Any removal of material needs to be deleted by an administrator. Any reverts or deletions by regular editors will leave the information in the system, accessible to anyone. If you truly feel this is a case of outing (even though admins scoured this page this week removing outing information), please notify adminstrators, and stop edit warring. [[User:Angryapathy|Angryapathy]] ([[User talk:Angryapathy|talk]]) 16:10, 16 April 2009 (UTC) |
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There are a few bad people on this page who insist on using WIki as a platform to spread libal. This is your final warning to stop! I promise that those engaged in this behavior will be very very sorry, very soon. <small><span class="autosigned">—Preceding [[Wikipedia:Signatures|unsigned]] comment added by [[User:Nommagdor|Nommagdor]] ([[User talk:Nommagdor|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Nommagdor|contribs]]) 16:16, 16 April 2009 (UTC)</span></small><!-- Template:Unsigned --> <!--Autosigned by SineBot--> |
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Please do not make threats on Wikipedia. This behavior is not tolerated and leads to bans. [[User:Angryapathy|Angryapathy]] ([[User talk:Angryapathy|talk]]) 16:25, 16 April 2009 (UTC) |
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It's too bad that certain people have forced this outcome. Believe me when I say this, those who violate the OUT policy will be biting off far more than they can chew. Who wants to be the first one to test this? <small><span class="autosigned">—Preceding [[Wikipedia:Signatures|unsigned]] comment added by [[User:Nommagdor|Nommagdor]] ([[User talk:Nommagdor|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Nommagdor|contribs]]) 16:35, 16 April 2009 (UTC)</span></small><!-- Template:Unsigned --> <!--Autosigned by SineBot--> |
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Nommagdor, it would really do you much more good to: |
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1) Calm down. No one can talk to you if you refuse to listen. |
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2) Don't make threats. Either you can't do anything substantive, in which case they are empty. Or you can, in which case they are evidence. |
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3) State your issue rationally and clearly. "Stop OUTing" is not as specific as you might think. OUTing is very serious on WP so, since no one else can find the OUTing you are referring to, we don't see things the same as you do. |
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Please, if you try to work with us we will try to accommodate you. If you only work to alienate yourself from the community you will soon find yourself alone. [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 16:53, 16 April 2009 (UTC) |
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There was no outing in the removed text. Admins have already removed the text that qualified as outing. The text this new editor (who also can't spell libel, oddly enough) is deleting needs to be restored. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 17:06, 16 April 2009 (UTC) |
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Well, he's been blocked, again, as I assuming we have been dealing with the same sock puppet for the past few days. I wonder how long he is going to keep attempting to vandalize this page. [[User:Angryapathy|Angryapathy]] ([[User talk:Angryapathy|talk]]) 17:16, 16 April 2009 (UTC) |
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:Given the expressions of superiority he's displayed over and over again, I think we should all be on our toes for a little while. [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 17:19, 16 April 2009 (UTC) |
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I've semi-protected this talk page for a time owing to IP harassment. [[User:Gwen Gale|Gwen Gale]] ([[User talk:Gwen Gale|talk]]) 18:02, 16 April 2009 (UTC) |
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== Csymons70 and the apparent COI == |
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Csymons70, please understand, when an editor adds information to an article it must be backed by credible citations. This does not mean write your own citations and then post info citing your references. Amazon.com CreateSpace is not regarded as a reliable source, due mainly to the fact that anyone can post a publication there and there are few restrictions on content or reliability. Please stop adding information that is both not reliable and an advertisement for your material. [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 12:09, 5 May 2009 (UTC) |
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I can appreciate your comments but also note that reliable media sources have also published my content because they too have confirmed the sources - so I would hope that information can remain. I don't appreciate commenst made by others that I'm a "nobody". I just want to make certain that this site is maintained with integrity and not some bias against me. Hopefully this can be guaranteed. <small><span class="autosigned">—Preceding [[Wikipedia:Signatures|unsigned]] comment added by [[User:Csymons70|Csymons70]] ([[User talk:Csymons70|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Csymons70|contribs]]) 15:20, 6 May 2009 (UTC)</span></small><!-- Template:Unsigned --> <!--Autosigned by SineBot--> |
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:I can tell you this, the information you are presenting has already been added. And it's been supported by the FBI and various law enforcement agencies. Basically you are not adding anything, mearly repeating what every sane person that's viewed the files has said. How is this notable? It's like writing a book that '''proves''' Mark David Chapman killed [[John Lennon|Lennon]], not that big a surprise. What are you '''ADDING''' that the FBI hasn't said? Or are you claiming more intimacy with the case than the FBI? Why should we add your stuff? [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 16:25, 6 May 2009 (UTC) |
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Ironically everytime I put somthing in from what I learned from the FBI regaring the classifications of serial killers and the reasons WHY they dismiss the theory it keeps getting deleted. My suggestion is either contact the FBI as I did or read the book. It's apparent that the moderators of this site are bias and simply feel that the theory is weight enough to generate traffic and interest and that's sad. <small><span class="autosigned">—Preceding [[Wikipedia:Signatures|unsigned]] comment added by [[User:Csymons70|Csymons70]] ([[User talk:Csymons70|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Csymons70|contribs]]) 16:57, 6 May 2009 (UTC)</span></small><!-- Template:Unsigned --> <!--Autosigned by SineBot--> |
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:First, I'd like to point out, there are no "moderators" on this site. It took me a long time to realize that I can delete stuff just like anybody else. And I can add stuff too, as long as it improves the article. So don't get too worried about "moderators". I'm sorry, but I'm not understanding your problem. Is it that we even have the article at all? Or do you have a problem with not being able to add anything to it? Do you not feel that the denunciation of the theory is complete enough? Let's talk it out here and then we can add what is necessary to the article when we hammer out all the issues. |
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:Some of the stuff you've added has been direct links to Amazon for selling your book. You'll forgive us if we don't want to advertise your book for you. The newer stuff you've added is the same as the FBI statements, so I have to wonder what you intend to add to the article (other than an ''indirect'' link to your book). We've got denunciations from The La Crosse, Wisconsin police force, the Criminal profiler Pat Brown, and the FBI - What more can you add? [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 17:22, 6 May 2009 (UTC) |
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My opinion is this shouldn't be called Smile Face Murders because according to authorities they're not murders. The title should have theory attached to it. The reason the FBI has dismissed the THEORY is that none of the traits follow classifications on what they define a serial killer. The article lists that the FBI declined the theory but doesn't explain why. When I added that earlier it was deleted. The FBI has found no evidence, which we all know, but have dismissed the theory because they profile doesn't fit within the classification guidelines. I've also notice a number of theories that appear to be popular in the blogs. Train theory, terrorist theory, Mike Flannery and Krist Pehl also have theories that should probably be included. This way viewers can see all that is avilable regarding the topic. Maybe a section could be added titled "Other theories"? Just a suggestion. <small><span class="autosigned">—Preceding [[Wikipedia:Signatures|unsigned]] comment added by [[User:Csymons70|Csymons70]] ([[User talk:Csymons70|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Csymons70|contribs]]) 17:35, 6 May 2009 (UTC)</span></small><!-- Template:Unsigned --> <!--Autosigned by SineBot--> |
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:We're not just going to make a laundry list of crazy fringe theories. See [[WP:UNDUE]] and [[WP:FRINGE]]. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 18:51, 6 May 2009 (UTC) |
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Here's the bottom line: Wikipedia is not a place to publicize yourself. We have info from the FBI, police departments, and a famous profiler all saying there's nothing to the theory. You want to add sections where YOU say there's nothing to theory, so that you can promote a book you self-published through a vanity press. That's never going to fly. You aren't a recognized expert on this topic, and you cannot spam Wikipedia with references to yourself. Period. Anything you add referring to yourself will be removed, so don't bother trying to do it. And if you keep this up you WILL be blocked from editing. We take [[WP:COI]] and [[WP:SPAM]] very seriously here. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 18:49, 6 May 2009 (UTC) |
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== Rename to Smiley face murder theories == |
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{{Done}} |
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In deference to the fact that Csymons70 has a valid point I suggest this article be renamed "Smiley face murder theories" to reflect the fact that they are not serial murders but unsupported theories. I suggest the plural so as to contain the variations on a theme that have cropped up. I am not as sure of the multiple theories, they may not have the level of notability the "Smiley face" theory has, but I do fully support the suggestion to title them as a theory rather than serial murders. [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 18:30, 6 May 2009 (UTC) |
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:I think singular theory would make more sense... any offshoots of the main one is still based upon the same base theory. .. and it's doubtful if the offshoots will ever be notable enough for inclusion here anyway, [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 18:46, 6 May 2009 (UTC) |
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With no objections for over a week, I'd like to move this to "Smiley face muder theory" but I know there are redirects. <s>How do I find the pages that link here?</s> [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 12:05, 15 May 2009 (UTC) |
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That was easy. But would it be best to leave this article and redirect to the "Theory" article or do a move and correct the dozen or so pages that link here? [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 12:08, 15 May 2009 (UTC) |
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:We cannot just create a new article with the same content copied and pasted, so renames ''have'' to be page moves. And a bot usually comes by and cleans up the redirects after a while, so it's as easy as pie. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 13:37, 15 May 2009 (UTC) |
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::Huh, I guess you're right. That was easy. [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 15:07, 15 May 2009 (UTC) |
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I would like to suggest the article be renamed rejection of the smiley face murder theory,since that part takes up most of the article page. <small><span class="autosigned">—Preceding [[Wikipedia:Signatures|unsigned]] comment added by [[User:Ethan46|Ethan46]] ([[User talk:Ethan46|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Ethan46|contribs]]) 00:01, 14 July 2009 (UTC)</span></small><!-- Template:Unsigned --> <!--Autosigned by SineBot--> |
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:You clearly don't understand how [[WP:NPOV]] policy works here. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 15:42, 14 July 2009 (UTC) |
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You obviously do not know how this is supposed to work.There was no citation for the statement most law enforcement agencies believe they were accidenatal drownings.I have been nuetral while you and padilah have been promoting pat Brown's theories and removing statements with citations.Padillah has also been caught in his own lies.You and Padillah obviously have the view there are no killers and are using wikipedia for your own means.You are also keeping the article slanted.I am not the one trying to slant the article as the liar padillah has stated.I never put information there was evidence and pahdillah pointed out I should have added another statement about a denial of evidence.I listed similarities that I don't believe is evidence in the first place.I stand by my accurate statement that the article is garbage and pahdillah is a liar.If you all want to take this personal that is up to you but I am telling it like it is.Are you on Pat Brown's payroll?: <small><span class="autosigned">—Preceding [[Wikipedia:Signatures|unsigned]] comment added by [[User:Ethan46|Ethan46]] ([[User talk:Ethan46|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Ethan46|contribs]]) 15:45, 23 July 2009 (UTC)</span></small><!-- Template:Unsigned --> <!--Autosigned by SineBot--> |
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:You need to be careful depicting other editors as liars. I take great offense at this and demand you provide proof that I have lied. I regard this as a personal attack and will call for your banning if this issue is not addressed. |
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:Meanwhile, I would like to communicate with you but find it exceedingly difficult to do so given your penchant for typing everything in lowercase and refusing to format your writings in any way. Space after a perid at the end of a sentance, the use of commas, capitalization... at least try and be understood. You accuse us of slanting this article and yet you have provided no content that's not blatantly POV. You have shown no effort to understand the policies here at Wikipedia even after several editors have asked you to review them both in general and specific policies. I am telling you this as a warning, you are well on your way to being banned from Wikipedia. After the blatant attack above I should simply request you be banned right now, but it's always better to have editors that are interested in the article content so I'd like to try and work with you, if you can find an attitude that allows you to work with anyone at all. [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 16:02, 23 July 2009 (UTC) |
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You want me to provide proof after you made false accusations and I addressed them? You did everything you accused me of.You even misspelled sentence and period while changing the subject to my grammar btw. I really don't take you or wikipedia that seriously.Any one can edit here and sway the story one way or another. Why don't you prove I was cherry picking and I should have added the statement that there was no real evidence even though I listed similarities and not evidence? Those were similarities I don't even consider evidence. You are doing a dance around the issues you created and then acting like I should address my accusations.Once again you are being one sided. When you state something that is not true than it is a lie. That is not an attack just because I point it out. A lie by definition can be intentional or unintentional. If you want to believe a lie than there is nothing I can do about that. Ban away. If you familiarized yourself better with the rules than you would know a better reason for removing the similarities would be that it was based on my own research. Your motivation is suspect and not mine. I provided more information and did it with citations. Meanwhile information is still in the article with no citations from articles that say what it does in the article. Any reasonable person can see for themselves the rejection of the theory takes up most of the space on the page, and any one more familiar with the case knows there is more to the theory than what is in the article. I am not going to waste a lot of time familiarizing myself with wikipedia after encountering obvious bias and false statements. You attacked me. I did not attack you. I asked to not take this personal but it seems you did. <small><span class="autosigned">—Preceding [[Wikipedia:Signatures|unsigned]] comment added by [[User:Ethan46|Ethan46]] ([[User talk:Ethan46|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Ethan46|contribs]]) 16:49, 23 July 2009 (UTC)</span></small><!-- Template:Unsigned --> <!--Autosigned by SineBot--> |
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:This is the sort of thing talking about - I have no idea what lies you are talking about. As far as your rather liberal definition of "lie", you may want to use dictionary.com to [http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/lie check your definitions] before posting them. There is no lie if there was no intent. As for making changes to the article: if you don't care about your point of view enough to make the changes correctly, why should I? If you don't want to learn Wiki policy, fine. Don't. Let's see how far that attitude gets you. [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 17:39, 23 July 2009 (UTC) |
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You talk at me and not to me.You start with an opinion before you gather the facts.Then you talk about having a discussion and yet after all this time you still do a dance about what you first said.I see no evidence you want a discussion. I think you want to be preachy.You said the following |
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"you mentioned that a detective said it was unusual that three teens drowned so close to each other but you neglected to add that he also said there was no real evidence linking the deaths" |
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I never presented that statement as evidence nor do I consider it evidence,yet you used that as an example of how I was slanting the article by not pointing out there was no real evidence.You sound like a crazy person to me and as long as crazy people are allowed to have so much influence there is no reason for me to learn more.This really is not about me.It is about you.You might want to tone it down it bit .I can make the case elsewhere without wikipedia.I don't need wikipedia to point out more information. I wanted a balanced article that is not one sided.I do not even have a reason to even care any more what is in the article. You act like you are some kind of GOD here .I have every reason to be wary of people like you and this site. <small><span class="autosigned">—Preceding [[Wikipedia:Signatures|unsigned]] comment added by [[User:Ethan46|Ethan46]] ([[User talk:Ethan46|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Ethan46|contribs]]) 18:07, 23 July 2009 (UTC)</span></small><!-- Template:Unsigned --> <!--Autosigned by SineBot--> |
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:That is not a lie. You did just what I said. Your motivations may have been different but you did do exactly as I presented. And this very much has to do with you. '''You''' are the one that is attacking others. '''You''' are the one that is making accusations and not backing them up. '''You''' are the one that refuses to abide by, or even learn, Wikipedia policy. '''You''' are the one blaming others. How does that make this about me? [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 18:17, 23 July 2009 (UTC) |
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There is a difference between similarities and evidence. It would be like saying I should have mentioned something about oranges even though I was talking about apples. Similarities have nothing to do with real evidence.Only by believing that similarities are evidence would you have a reason to make the comment you made. You are the one who accused me of slanting the article ,gave a ridiculous reason why, and then you expect me to believe you want to discuss this? <span style="font-size: smaller;" class="autosigned">—Preceding [[Wikipedia:Signatures|unsigned]] comment added by [[Special:Contributions/24.159.62.199|24.159.62.199]] ([[User talk:24.159.62.199|talk]]) 18:32, 23 July 2009 (UTC)</span><!-- Template:UnsignedIP --> <!--Autosigned by SineBot--> |
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:That doesn't make my statement a lie. You flat-out called me a liar but have yet to provide evidence of me having deliberately making false statements. I don't care one whit about your ability to obfuscate the issues, I am asking that you either '''prove I lied''' or '''retract your accusation'''. I saw you place statements supporting the Smiley face killer theory and no statements that adjudicate that impression, how you misinterpreted that request does not make me a liar. You also have some gaps in your understanding of "slanted article". Just because one point of view is clearer than another doesn't mean it's slanted, that POV may actually be the case. For example, the article on the moon landing doesn't have equal room given to "fake landing" theories, because it's widely believed to be real and those are called [[WP:FRINGE]] theories and have no right to demand equal coverage. So the article may be slanted but then again, so is the theory. [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 19:10, 23 July 2009 (UTC) |
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Oh so now it is about how it is a fringe theory? So why It is is the article posted at all? To promote the rejection of the theory? You just keep attacking. You even had to bring up how I don't care about learning more but to be one sided you did not mention that it was because I don't care what you do to the article. I also have no intention of changing it.You got your way but still want to pick a fight. Feel free to leave up the statements in the article with no citations that are relevant also. <small><span class="autosigned">—Preceding [[Wikipedia:Signatures|unsigned]] comment added by [[User:Ethan46|Ethan46]] ([[User talk:Ethan46|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Ethan46|contribs]]) 19:35, 23 July 2009 (UTC)</span></small><!-- Template:Unsigned --> <!--Autosigned by SineBot--> |
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:None of which addresses your attack on me. Prove I lied or retract the statement. If you want to remove uncited statements from the article, be my guest. If you want to pout, be my guest. But '''prove I lied or retract your attack'''. [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 19:45, 23 July 2009 (UTC) |
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:I have been to the [[WP:Wikiquette_alerts#Being_called_a_liar|Wikiquette page and registered a complaint]]. I am still looking for proof or a retraction. [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 15:15, 24 July 2009 (UTC) |
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== Thomas Paine edits == |
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I'm talking specifically about [http://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Smiley_face_murder_theory&oldid=309994761 this version] of the article and edits. I think they should stay. If we look at this from a numbers point of view we can see four paragraphs, small but unambiguous, that deny the theory (MPD, La Crosse PD, Pat Brown, and FBI). Against one larger but supported by only two (Dr. Gilbertson and Dr. Wecht). And even the addition of that paragraph is balanced by the final quote from Delong re-stating the FBIs position. I also find it rather difficult, if not impossible to dismiss interviews from Larry King or people such as Wecht who, right or wrong, are known and notable. I think that particular version is balanced enough to stay. I might work a little harder to get the whole FBI denial quote since it is a bit equivocating, as a means of balancing against the weight of Wecht, but that's about all. [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 13:11, 26 August 2009 (UTC) |
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:Part of the [[WP:FRINGE]] rules and [[WP:UNDUEWEIGHT]]'s role in [[WP:NPOV]] policy is that we do not give "equal sides" to views not held equally by experts. I have no problem with Wecht making claims about a single case and an FBI spokesperson pointing out that that doesn't necessarily have anything to do with any of the others, but presenting "Dr. Lee Gilbertson" as an expert profiler and giving him about as much space as all of the FBI and police put together is not acceptable. The text of that version truies to paint him as a professor when he's only a mere associate professor and it tries to paint him as an expert on profiling when there's no evidence of any such thing... Larry King had him on not as an unbiased expert but because he's someone supporting the view, and he's doing so while selling his investigation services to families of drowned kids. The article needs to reflect the view that the overwhelming majoprity of experts and law enforcement see nothing to the theory at all, and conspicuously the only people supporting it are private individuals trying to sell their own investigation services and journalists looking for a juicy story. Encyclopedias, unlike Larry King and other infotainment shows, are not supposed to hype minority views just for the sake of making something sound more interesting, as that's irresponsible. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 14:44, 26 August 2009 (UTC) |
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::I just took a look through everything, again. It's too much weight given. The Pat Brown section is referenced to a blog, no shouldn't be in. The rest down is referenced to Larry King transcript, way too much weight given to this in my opinion. I have to agree with DreamGuy on the policies here to follow. I hope this helps. Sorry I can't give more of an anyalysis of what I think but I can't type that long. --[[User:Crohnie|<span style="color:purpled ">'''Crohnie'''</span><span style="color:deeppink">'''Gal'''</span>]][[User talk:Crohnie|<span style="color:deepskyblue"><sup>Talk</sup></span>]] 15:15, 26 August 2009 (UTC) |
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::DG, you are absolutely right about Dr. Gilbertson, I wasn't thinking about that. Much to your point Wecht and the FBI rep distracted me from looking up the good doctor. I think the amount of space his view was given had more to do with the length of his quote but that's irrelevant if he can't provide support for the "expert profiler" claim. I still hold that we should try harder to get the full FBI viewpoint into the text rather than a simple bland statement. [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 19:07, 26 August 2009 (UTC) |
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:::So if I am absolutely right why do you contradict yourself later? And do not revert my edits and claim I bneed to talk about them on the talk page, as I did talk about them here and by [[WP:BRD]] and [[WP:STATUSQUO]] new, controversial material needs to get a consensus '''before''' it is added, not the other way around. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 13:32, 1 September 2009 (UTC) |
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My update to the article was made in good faith to maintain a neutral point of view. Felt the direct quotes would provide neutrality. However, I don't mind if they are summarized or an alternative sentence is suggested, but the information is very significant and should be included in the article was my point. I don't think wholesale deletion of the update was an appropriate response. I would have accepted someone's accurate restating. A criminologist is the type of background for an expert profiler, but that seems to be nit picking. As to Fringe, the current quote "ludicrous" qualifies to a far greater degree as something that could be classified as on the fringe - All those cited are medical and law enforcement professionals, and they are investigating a potential crime. As to weight its only one paragraph. |
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How about this as a more concise version: |
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On March 21, 2009, Dr. Lee Gilbertson, a criminologist and faculty member at [[St. Cloud University]], stated on CNN’s Larry King that he supports the Smiley Face murder theory advanced by Gannon and Duarte and he further stated his belief that it could be a group committing the alleged crimes.<ref name=CNN03.26.09>[http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0903/26/lkl.01.html Larry King Live March 26, 2009]. ''CNN Transcripts''. Retrieved on August 25, 2009.</ref> He noted his view that the drownings did not match a pattern of accidental drownings.<ref name=CNN03.26.09/> Dr. [[Cyril Wecht]], a forensic pathologist, cited what in his view showed evidence of a homicide in regard to the Patrick O’Neil death.<ref name=CNN03.26.09/> Fly larvae discovered in the groin area was that of an indoor fly which indicated that the body was already dead before being placed in the water.<ref name=CNN03.26.09/> Candice Delong, a former FBI profiler conceded, "Yes, regarding that particular case in New York, that certainly does sound like it was a homicide. I, however, fail to see the connection between the New York case and these other Midwestern cases. Perhaps we could learn." <ref name=CNN03.26.09/> |
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[[User:Thomas Paine1776|Thomas Paine1776]] ([[User talk:Thomas Paine1776|talk]]) 01:52, 27 August 2009 (UTC) |
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:Thomas, please assume good faith with us as well. I wouldn't look on that particular revert as a wholesale deletion as much as a revert to discuss what is appropriate. In the past we've experienced way more drama than a fledgling theory like this should warrant and as such we approach any expansion with care. I've had editors get so worked up that they tried to [[WP:OUT|reveal my real liofe details]] because of this article, so we tend to be guarded and wary. Having said that, I would change "''He noted his view that the drownings did not match a pattern of accidental drownings.''" to "''He noted his view that the drownings did not conform to the statistical patterns of accidental drownings.''" which is, if I read it right, more inline with what he is trying to put forward. At the risk of appearing like I'm waffling, I like the above proposed paragraph. I agree with DG that Larry King may not add importance... it does add notability and that deserves to be mentioned. Several people still watch that show and may see it and come here to look up the subject, we should be ready for that. [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 12:05, 27 August 2009 (UTC) |
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That's fine. So with your changes the concise version would say: |
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On March 21, 2009, Dr. Lee Gilbertson, a criminologist and faculty member at [[St. Cloud University]], stated on CNN that he supports the Smiley Face murder theory advanced by Gannon and Duarte and he further stated his belief that it could be a group committing the alleged crimes.<ref name=CNN03.26.09>[http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0903/26/lkl.01.html Larry King Live March 26, 2009]. ''CNN Transcripts''. Retrieved on August 25, 2009.</ref> He noted his view that the drownings did not conform to the statistical patterns of accidental drownings.<ref name=CNN03.26.09/> Dr. [[Cyril Wecht]], a forensic pathologist, cited what in his view showed evidence of a homicide in regard to the Patrick O’Neil death.<ref name=CNN03.26.09/> Fly larvae discovered in the groin area was that of an indoor fly which indicated that the body was already dead before being placed in the water.<ref name=CNN03.26.09/> Candice Delong, a former FBI profiler conceded, "Yes, regarding that particular case in New York, that certainly does sound like it was a homicide. I, however, fail to see the connection between the New York case and these other Midwestern cases. Perhaps we could learn." <ref name=CNN03.26.09/> |
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Thanks for the input.[[User:Thomas Paine1776|Thomas Paine1776]] ([[User talk:Thomas Paine1776|talk]]) 17:04, 27 August 2009 (UTC) |
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:Looks about right, but I am not a consensus. Let's see what some of the others say so we don't end up back here in another 15 mins. [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 17:25, 27 August 2009 (UTC) |
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Placed the paragraph under Gannon and Duarte's theory to accomodate neutrality.[[User:Thomas Paine1776|Thomas Paine1776]] ([[User talk:Thomas Paine1776|talk]]) 15:18, 30 August 2009 (UTC) |
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:Any mention of Gilbertson is giving [[WP:UNDUEWEIGHT]]. We need more space given to the majority expert law enforcement opinions and less on people with questionable credentials trying to sell theories to the world at large. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 02:11, 31 August 2009 (UTC) |
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::'''Any''' mention? Really? I think that's a bit overboard. Isn't that going to far the other way? We still have many more statements decrying the theory than we do forwarding it. As well as many more influential names coming out against the theory than for. I don't see a problem with weight. Also, given the "arguable" coverage by M.S.M. outlets, we might be coming close to losing the "fringe" moniker. [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 18:52, 31 August 2009 (UTC) |
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:::Yes, any mention. He's a [[WP:FRINGE]] source brought into a talking heads edutainment program, not a reliable source or accepted expert on the topic, and he's contradicting all the reliable sources/experts on the topic. That's clear [[WP:UNDUEWEIGHT]]. Can't get any more clear than that. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 13:30, 1 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::Mentioning Gilbertson is not undue weight according to wikipedia policy which states, ''"In articles specifically about a minority viewpoint, the views may receive more attention and space"'' [[WP:UNDUEWEIGHT]]. Gilbertson is a certified gang specialist and criminal justice faculty member. He's frequently cited by the major media on this subject, and there's no claim that he's selling anything. Gilbertson is aiding in the investigation. These are professionals investigating potential crimes. The CNN report cited is a responsible and highly relevant report on the subject and notes key information on the topic which is not in the present article. |
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::I'll see what I can do to address your concerns to add information from those who are not supportive of the theory, but deleting our documented content information on the subject is not really the appropriate response. It seems we've accomodated your concerns.[[User:Thomas Paine1776|Thomas Paine1776]] ([[User talk:Thomas Paine1776|talk]]) 19:30, 31 August 2009 (UTC) |
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:::Oh for crying out loud. This article is NOT specifically about a minority viewpoint just because you want it to be. And by "more attention and space" they mean than in the base article about the topic (which this is), which should have little or none. You have the entire concept of NPOV turned upside down. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 13:30, 1 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::::Then what is the article about, because that seems to be a moving target. When you need it to be the whole article is [[WP:FRINGE]], but when FRINGE is used to support edits you don't like it's not like the whole article is WP:FRINGE. Please make up ''someone's'' mind. You can't expect to [[WP:OWN]] the article but only drop in on the talk page after three days and an [[WP:IDONTLIKEIT]] edit made to the article. We are trying to expand and improve the article, if you don't want to do that then you are more than welcome to edit whatever else you'd like. But the whole-sale reverts and complete denial of '''Any mention of Gilbertson''' is unacceptable. [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 14:56, 1 September 2009 (UTC) |
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:::::You are way out of line to portray this as an [[WP:IDONTLIKEIT]] situation. It's the [[WP:NPOV]] [[WP:UNDUEWEIGHT]] policy that applies here, especially as it related to conspiracy theories. Reverts are what you do when the whole addition is objected and no consensus to add it is found, per [[WP:BRD]] and [[WP:STATUSQUO]]. Wikipedia is not the place to promote fringe theories. And none of this should be new information to you. Your attitude that my opposing of bad changes means I am opposed to all changes whatsover and that I should therefore leave the article is just a strawman argument. And saying "only drop in after three days" is ridiculous, as I've been here the whole time. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 15:15, 1 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::::::If I am out of line I apologize, but you're the one that denies "any mention of Gilbertson", not me. Those are not my words, complete denial of a persons comments is pretty standard IDONTLIKEIT behavior, what am I supposed to think? I don't see anyone promoting anything. Unless there is a book or side deal then please let me know and my view will change accordingly. I am not the one that said you are opposed to all changes, you are when you decried "any mention of Gilbertson" and reverted the entire edit including statements from parties other than Gilbertson. Again I ask, what am I supposed to think? And you can do the math but I believe 17:25, 27 August 2009 (UTC) until 02:11, 31 August 2009 is about three days. From the time I asked that we wait for others to weigh in till the time you reverted the main article edit (with no input on the talk page at all) is about three days. Now, had you come and addressed the proposed edits it would look quite a bit different. As it looks now you said what's what and we have to believe you. It looks, from the outside, like you are making an argument and are incredulous that we don't simply keel over and obey. As the article stands it looks like two kooks against the world. You talk about undue weight but fail to realize that the article is ridiculously slanted as it stands. It's a wonder it's notable enough to be on Wikipedia. There's no mention of '''anyone else''' that believes the theory other than the two detectives. The mere mention of some other legitimate parties (I don't mean the parents, there's obvious bias there) does not add undue weight, it's balancing the lack of believers. [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 16:07, 1 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::Gilbertson is aiding in the investigation. Mentioning Gilbertson is not undue weight according to wikipedia policy which states, '''"In articles specifically about a minority viewpoint, the views may receive more attention and space"''' [[WP:UNDUEWEIGHT]]. Gilbertson is a certified gang specialist and criminal justice faculty member. He's frequently cited by the major media on this subject, and there's no claim that he's selling anything. These are professionals investigating potential crimes. The CNN report cited is a responsible and highly relevant report on the subject and notes key information on the topic which is not in the present article. |
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::The single paragraph was placed in an appropriate proper place, under Gannon's and Duarte's theory [http://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Smiley_face_murder_theory&oldid=311263014]. The present article does not yet describe a significant part of the theory which holds that the drownings do not conform to the statistical pattern of accidental drownings. Gilbertson is aiding in the investigation. Attacking Gibertson seems to be an unjustified [[Ad hominem]] argument. There is nothing wrong with citing Gilbertson. And its only TWO sentences from Gilbertson. Its probably best to include his name and credentials. Attempting to exclude notable, relevant, verified docmented content, which is not in the present article, is what would amount to POV pushing. Its really unbelievable that anyone would object to the content in the paragraph, its not extreme or offensive in any way. Gilbertson's comments are about the subject itself, notable since they are covered by the major media, Gilbertson is a valid source about the subject - the article is not about Gilbertson: In sum, the objections to the content do not meet any contention of fringe under wikipedia policy either. Wikipedia policy permits valid notable sources in the discussion of the subject itself, even when the subject itself is a minority view point. Information is relevant, notable, and improves the article. There has been no valid reason presented why it should not be included. As to the FBI, let's include the whole FBI quote to expand that section since the present article only gives one ambiguous sentence intrepreting what the FBI stated.[[User:Thomas Paine1776|Thomas Paine1776]] ([[User talk:Thomas Paine1776|talk]]) 16:37, 5 September 2009 (UTC) |
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== Requesting comment regarding NPOV of listed edits. == |
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The following edits are being disputed as NPOV. Please weigh in as to there relevance and POV for inclusion in the article. |
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On March 21, 2009, Dr. Lee Gilbertson, a criminologist and faculty member at [[St. Cloud University]], stated on CNN that he supports the Smiley Face murder theory advanced by Gannon and Duarte and he further stated his belief that it could be a group committing the alleged crimes.<ref name=CNN03.26.09>[http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0903/26/lkl.01.html Larry King Live March 26, 2009]. ''CNN Transcripts''. Retrieved on August 25, 2009.</ref> He noted his view that the drownings did not conform to the statistical patterns of accidental drownings.<ref name=CNN03.26.09/> Dr. [[Cyril Wecht]], a forensic pathologist, cited what in his view showed evidence of a homicide in regard to the Patrick O’Neil death.<ref name=CNN03.26.09/> Fly larvae discovered in the groin area was that of an indoor fly which indicated that the body was already dead before being placed in the water.<ref name=CNN03.26.09/> Candice Delong, a former FBI profiler conceded, "Yes, regarding that particular case in New York, that certainly does sound like it was a homicide. I, however, fail to see the connection between the New York case and these other Midwestern cases. Perhaps we could learn." <ref name=CNN03.26.09/> |
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[[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 14:40, 1 September 2009 (UTC) |
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:The reason they are disputed is that it gives [[WP:UNDUEWEIGHT]] to Gilbertson's views, a minor associate professor with a personal investigation agency trying to sell his services and who is falsely being presented as some sort of expert. Actual professionals on this topic -- the police departments in the cities in question and the FBI -- all say that there's absolutely nothing to the theories that there is a serial killer at work. As the experts on this topic, their opinion should not be sidelined by people looking for publicity for themselves to push conspiracy theories. It's pretty simple, really. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 15:18, 1 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::Except for the fact that you have not provided proof that he is selling anything. Nor is he presented as an expert, simply a criminologist on faculty, which he is. I don't see, from the transcripts, him clamoring for publicity... there's no book deal behind this...Nothing to warrant this kind of vitriol. [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 16:20, 1 September 2009 (UTC) |
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:::Google his name, he sells his services as an outside consultant. He's pushing a whacko theory so families of drowning victims can pay him to tell them that it wasn't their poor little innocent drunk son's fault he drowned and to be on TV. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 18:35, 3 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::::What the media has noted is that the investigators have expended their own personal funds to investigate the theory and potential crimes. And it has cost them. No one has alleged that they are making any profits or big money from it. So its highly unwarranted to suggest its profit motivated when no sources have suggested this whatsoever.[[User:Thomas Paine1776|Thomas Paine1776]] ([[User talk:Thomas Paine1776|talk]]) 17:52, 5 September 2009 (UTC) |
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:::::Profit and/or publicity for themselves. Ego. Future book deal. Whatever. But the important point is that they are minor people with trivial credentials making claims that are completely and totally contradicted by the experts. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 20:18, 9 September 2009 (UTC) |
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:'''No mention of Gilbertson'''. Just because Larry King let this guy talk about his fringe theory doesn't make it mainstream. And a TV talk show is not exactly the most reliable source to begin with. We should keep out the sensationalism and [[WP:UNDUE|undue weight]] represented by Gilbertson's claims. [[User talk:Crotalus horridus|<font color="#11A"><b><tt>*** Crotalus ***</tt></b></font>]] 20:59, 1 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::I think you guys are giving him undue weight if you believe that Gilbertson alone can move this from fringe theory to mainstream. WOW. This is one junior faculty member, he's not nearly as impactful as you are making him out to be. The problem is, without Gilbertson we have an article on a theory '''nobody''' believes. Without someone other than the two detectives who brought it up this isn't even a fringe theory, it's a wild guess and '''shouldn't count as notable for inclusion'''. Even fringe theories get to have more than two people that believe in them. And Larry King doesn't make the guy's belief mainstream, that's pretty much my argument too. Just because this guy said it on Larry King doesn't mean this is widely accepted as being true. It's one guy we are trying to use to show this isn't just some cold case that two detectives won't let go of, there are other people that believe in this as well. |
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::And aside from Gilbertson, what of the rest of the entry? Does Gilbertson's inclusion negate any of the rest of the entry? Should the entire entry be reverted just because Gilbertson is mentioned? [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 14:31, 2 September 2009 (UTC) |
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:::I don't think you get the point here, as your arguments go against the side you are arguing. Gilbertson of course doesn't take the theory to mainstream, but we're suppose to give the mainstream view the majority of weight/space in an article. That's the whole point. Unless the FBI and police sections are expanded greatly there's no more room to cover anyone trying to support the fringe theory. And the rest of the section in question really is pretty trivial (not notable) and is still from the Larry King show instead of standard reliable sources. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 18:35, 3 September 2009 (UTC) |
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That is definitely lending [[WP:PROMINENCE|undue weight]] to a minor source. We do not and should not mention every minor source who ever commented on the idea. Gilbertson is of course a [[WP:RS|reliable source]] for his own views, but it would be misleading to expound upon those ideas here as though they were reflected in more reliable sources treating the topic at hand. - [[User talk:2over0|2/0]] <small>([[Special:Contributions/2over0|cont.]])</small> 17:38, 3 September 2009 (UTC) |
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Yes, this section seems to give quite a bit of weight to a minority viewpoint. Maybe some of you should take a lot at [[Wikipedia:Fringe theories]]. [[User:Richard|Richard]] ([[User talk:Richard|talk]]) 17:54, 3 September 2009 (UTC) |
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:Then I say we need to delete the article. If the only people that believe this theory are the two detectives that created it then I don't think it meets enough notability criteria to be included at all. [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 18:30, 3 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::The topic got a fair amount of news coverage, so it's notable. And nobody said only the two detectives believe the theory, just that the experts don't believe it. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 18:37, 3 September 2009 (UTC) |
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:::That's just it, the article (as it stands right now) very much '''does''' give the impression that these two detectives are the '''only''' people that believe this theory. The article as I read it says: These two guys thought they were hot stuff and tried to make-up a serial killer, but the FBI and everyone else shut them up cause it's a stupid idea. (loosely translated, of course). [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 18:51, 3 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::Gilbertson is aiding in the investigation. Mentioning Gilbertson is not undue weight according to wikipedia policy which states, '''"In articles specifically about a minority viewpoint, the views may receive more attention and space"''' [[WP:UNDUEWEIGHT]]. Gilbertson is a certified gang specialist and criminal justice faculty member. He's frequently cited by the major media on this subject, and there's no claim that he's selling anything. These are professionals investigating potential crimes. The CNN report cited is a responsible and highly relevant report on the subject and notes key information on the topic which is not in the present article. |
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::The single paragraph was placed in an appropriate proper place, under Gannon's and Duarte's theory [http://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Smiley_face_murder_theory&oldid=311263014]. The present article does not yet describe a significant part of the theory which holds that the drownings do not conform to the statistical pattern of accidental drownings. Gilbertson is aiding in the investigation. Attacking Gibertson seems to be an unjustified [[Ad hominem]] argument. There is nothing wrong with citing Gilbertson. And its only TWO sentences from Gilbertson. Its probably best to include his name and credentials. Attempting to exclude notable, relevant, verified docmented content, which is not in the present article, is what would amount to POV pushing. Its really unbelievable that anyone would object to the content in the paragraph, its not extreme or offensive in any way. Gilbertson's comments are about the subject itself, notable since they are covered by the major media, Gilbertson is a valid source about the subject - the article is not about Gilbertson: In sum, the objections to the content do not meet any contention of fringe under wikipedia policy either. Wikipedia policy permits valid notable sources in the discussion of the subject itself, even when the subject itself is a minority view point. Information is relevant, notable, and improves the article. There has been no valid reason presented why it should not be included. As to the FBI, let's include the whole FBI quote to expand that section since the present article only gives one ambiguous sentence intrepreting what the FBI stated.[[User:Thomas Paine1776|Thomas Paine1776]] ([[User talk:Thomas Paine1776|talk]]) 16:37, 5 September 2009 (UTC) |
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:::Everyone who showed up for the RFC agreed it was undue weight, as I already explained to you earlier. You need to respect other editors' opinions and superior experience. It's not like you somehow understand NPOV policy better than all of us, who have been working with it for years. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 22:37, 5 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::::Careful DreamGuy, your ageism is showing. [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 19:42, 9 September 2009 (UTC) |
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:::::My what? Sounds like you're trying to make a personal attack, but it's such a bizarre statement I'm not following it. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 20:15, 9 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::::::It's the internet dude, [http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/ageism look it up]. And to belittle someone based on their ''apparent'' experience and then cry foul when you get called out is probably not as NPA as you might want to think. It was not an attack, just a warning that what you are saying could very well be construed as an attack so you might do well to be careful with the phrasing. [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 12:59, 10 September 2009 (UTC) |
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With all due respect, you do not seem to understand the undue weight policy and appear to be using it to keep out any additions you do not like. Not sure why. And there is clearly not enough of rational basis, reasoned analysis, or the like, to claim any sort of consensus for your objections. With repect to weight, the policy clearly states, ''"In articles specifically about a minority viewpoint, the views may receive more attention and space."'' As to viewpoint, the documented content merely explains the theory, it doesn't exalt it above those who do not accept it as you may suppose, thus the theory is really not given any undue weight at all in the article with the added paragraph in that respect either. After you seemed make a big deal that the theory is a minority view point, you don't seem to get that when an article is about the minority view point more space can be devoted to it legitimatly. But even so, its only ONE paragraph that makes no claims of being better than those who don't accept the theory and in no way makes claims to refute any of those who don't accept it as you may suppose. Thus, you have no case whatsoever. You haven't explained as to content why you have an objection, but then attack the source itself. We cannot count too heavily on a minimun of posted discussion here that offers little substance or reasoning, except that somehow concludes that two sentences constitute undue weight? Also, you seem to have written on Padillah's talk page in parenthesis implying that perhaps its Gilbertson himself citing himself as a source in this article? Where do you come up with that? Padillah who has experience at working with you, appears to agree with me. Further, you make unproven claims as above where you claim that Gilbertson is trying to sell something when no media sources are making this claim. A pattern seems to be that you object without substance. |
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The proponents of the theory believe the drowning cases do not match the statistical patterns of accidental drownings and the victimological profiles may suggest a group. What's your problem with this? Its a simple fact of the theory in the topic at hand. Its not a claim to make undue weight violation, not any fringe violation. Its a simple statement that explains the notable topic at hand and its documented from valid verifiable source. Yet you are claiming this is undue weight somehow. You have not and apparently cannot explain how you claim this is undue weight, with or without Gilbertsons name in the sentence. We could state that the theory "suggests" that the drowning cases do not match the statistical patterns accidental drownings if this would satisfy you. [[User:Thomas Paine1776|Thomas Paine1776]] ([[User talk:Thomas Paine1776|talk]]) 23:51, 5 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::I'm sorry, you clearly do not understand the undue weight policy at all if you think pushing the view of a [[WP:FRINGE]] theory is what it's for. Your personal opinions are completely irrelevant. The opinions of the experts -- in this case, the police and FBI -- are what counts. They think the theory is a fringe theory with no basis, and that's how an encyclopedia has to cover it. We're not here to give equal time to anyone with some wild theory against the experts. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 20:15, 9 September 2009 (UTC) |
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'''Support''' the inclusion of Gilbertson's views as proposed. It's supported by a reliable source. We can allow the reader to decide for themselves how much credibility to give his opinion. [[User:Cla68|Cla68]] ([[User talk:Cla68|talk]]) 04:21, 9 September 2009 (UTC) |
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:Unfortunately readers often determine how much credibility to give to an opinion by how much space is given to it, hence the whole [[WP:UNDUEWEIGHT]] clause. And, frankly, Larry King Live is not a reliable source for determining the plausibility of alternative criminological theories. It's an entertainment show, not an academic journal. On top of that, he's not doing anything but advancing the base theory as proposed by the originators, who are already covered in the article. There's absolutely no reason to add yet another one of these cranks, especially when so little space is given to the predominant expert view. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 20:15, 9 September 2009 (UTC) |
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I agree with Cla89.I however do not understand why the part about McNeil should be added. Gannon worked on the McNeil case ,but no information is provided that he linked that with other drownings.The claim was made Chris Jenkin's drowning linked other drownings together.Let people decide for themselves if it is a fringe theory.People involved in law enforcement do not make a point of releasing all the information they have to the public any more than someone would show you their hand in a poker game. Are there rules about making unsupported claims about someone? I also think the detectives should be credited with investigating 89 drownings as that IMHO gives them as much credibility as those that disagree with them,even though they could very well be wrong as far as we know. The detectives went into this with a good reputation and the suggestion that someone is in this for a book deal is in bad taste.--[[User:Yankee2009|Yankee2009]] ([[User talk:Yankee2009|talk]]) 15:59, 10 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::{{spa|Yankee2009}} -[[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 16:48, 12 September 2009 (UTC) |
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I agree with Padilla. If this page is to exist, there needs to be proof that more than two detectives believe in the theory. If we can't get any more sources, then we should just delete the article. I have no problem including two sentences showing the more than two people believe in the theory. Larry King may not be a reliable source, but he is mainstream, and including a criminologist who was featured on the program shows that someone else believes in the theory. [[User:Angryapathy|Angryapathy]] ([[User talk:Angryapathy|talk]]) 19:58, 10 September 2009 (UTC) |
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:Notability is based upon coverage. This has had plenty of coverage. [[WP:UNDUEWEIGHT]] is based upon what the experts say about it. A topic can be fringe, get coverage, earn a Wikipedia article even if the *belief* in the theory is a tiny minority. Per NPOV policy we cannot mislead readers into thinking that the idea is supported more than it is. It is overwhelmingly opposed. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 16:57, 12 September 2009 (UTC) |
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Do we know if the theory is a minority view by law enforcement? I see no evidence either way.It is an interpretation. In other words POV. The wiki article says it is but the citations do not.The detectives investigated 89 cases in several states. A local authority and an FBI spokesperson making a comment the majority of drownings are alcohol related accidents is not a majority. A citation is not even given where a local authority says the majority of drownings were alcohol related. I see no reason to delete the whole article or compromise. Patrick McNeil has never been named as a suspected victim by the detectives. The articles used as citations say the following. |
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<The vast majority of these instances appear to be alcohol-related drowning," the bureau said in a statement.> |
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<The FBI and local authorities don't necessarily agree with the theory that all the drownings are linked and the work of a gang.> |
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It would make more sense for the article to reflect what was said and not an interpretation. |
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--[[User:Yankee2009|Yankee2009]] ([[User talk:Yankee2009|talk]]) 16:33, 12 September 2009 (UTC) |
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The drownings were ruled accidental by police in several jurisdictions. The FBI further weighed in on it. If it were not a majority of experts than they would not have called them accidental drownings in the first place. This is clear and overwhelming, and these are some of the worst attempts at rationalizing up support for a fringe theory I've seen. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 16:57, 12 September 2009 (UTC) |
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Once again you make unsupported comments. I do not support the theory. I support the rules being followed. You also say most were ruled accidental yet don't back up your claim. The comments I have seen lead me to believe that a lot of assumptions are being made. I am being sincere and backed up the claim the case has not been made the majority were accidents. They may be, but that is an opinion . Show me where it says most were ruled accidental. There is nothing in the articles that says most were ruled accidental. If that statement was made I would support it being in the article. --[[User:Yankee2009|Yankee2009]] ([[User talk:Yankee2009|talk]]) 18:44, 12 September 2009 (UTC) |
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:You certainly are not supporting Wikipedia rules in the slightest -- sockpuppet violation, NPOV violation, RS violation, etc. etc. The police of many jurisdictions AND outside agents from the FBI ruled the deaths accidental -- do you deny this simple fact? This proves the overwhelming majority view of the experts, for if there were any significant minority among police departments they would have ruled those cases to have been homicides and launched an investigation. They didn't. Therefore they don't believe this ridiculous theory. It's already shown by all of the police rulings and the FBI further confirming those rulings. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 23:01, 16 September 2009 (UTC) |
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Many of the deaths were undetermined. You and the other editors are cherry picking information. There was no poll taken to establish that the majority in LE believe they were accidental deaths. The only basis any editors have for leaving an unsupported comment in the article would be it reflects their own personal belief.. Experienced editors should know better. Don't even bother to try to bait me with any more nonsense. There is a problem with your so called experts. Pat Brown writes books and benefits from publicity . Kondracki would use the drowning death of a young man to make a statement about the evils of alcohol before an investigation was even completed and the FBI decided way back in 2003 that cases of young men drowning in the midwest would not get priority. It took 5 years just to get a DNA test of the hair that was in Chris Jenkin's hand. However none of those FACTS you ignore mean I believe the theory. Please stop being a troublemaker. I notice they go easy on you here so maybe I will just call you Teflonguy. --[[User:Yankee2009|Yankee2009]] ([[User talk:Yankee2009|talk]]) 18:19, 20 October 2009 (UTC) |
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BTW I know you broke the rules by campaigning etc etc.--[[User:Yankee2009|Yankee2009]] ([[User talk:Yankee2009|talk]]) 19:17, 20 October 2009 (UTC) |
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: Going to [[WP:ANI]] is not campaigning. Have a little [[WP:AGF]]. ([[User talk:Bwilkins|<font style="font-variant:small-caps">talk→</font>]]<span style="border:1px solid black;">''' [[User:Bwilkins|BWilkins]] '''</span>[[Special:Contributions/Bwilkins|<font style="font-variant:small-caps">←track</font>]]) 23:08, 20 October 2009 (UTC) |
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Going to someone's talk page to get them to take their side is campaigning. If you don't understand something you could ask rather than misrepresenting the facts and trying to make me look bad.I think this is more personal for most of you editors than you would like to admit. You can't keep your biased views from influencing the article or trying to size up the other editors. I did my homework. If you did yours you might know what you are talking about. <small><span class="autosigned">—Preceding [[Wikipedia:Signatures|unsigned]] comment added by [[User:Yankee2009|Yankee2009]] ([[User talk:Yankee2009|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Yankee2009|contribs]]) 00:36, 21 October 2009 (UTC)</span></small><!-- Template:Unsigned --> <!--Autosigned by SineBot--> |
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You did not assume good faith. Pot meet kettle.--[[User:Yankee2009|Yankee2009]] ([[User talk:Yankee2009|talk]]) 00:57, 21 October 2009 (UTC) |
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::<s>This is the second accusation of sockpuppetry you've made and since I'm the only other contributor on this page I have to take offense. Please explain yourself or remove the accusations.</s> [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 12:18, 17 September 2009 (UTC) |
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== Suggested compromise == |
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Since the sole argument seems to surround Dr. Gilbertson (for reasons yet to be properly explained) let's remove his statement and post the remainder of the content. How do you feel about the following paragraph being added: |
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On March 21, 2009, on Larry King Live, Dr. [[Cyril Wecht]], a forensic pathologist, in support of the theory cited what in his view showed evidence of a homicide in regard to the Patrick O’Neil death<ref name=CNN03.26.09>[http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0903/26/lkl.01.html Larry King Live March 26, 2009]. ''CNN Transcripts''. Retrieved on August 25, 2009.</ref>. Fly larvae discovered in the groin area was that of an indoor fly which indicated that the body was already dead before being placed in the water.<ref name=CNN03.26.09/> Candice Delong, a former FBI profiler conceded, "Yes, regarding that particular case in New York, that certainly does sound like it was a homicide. I, however, fail to see the connection between the New York case and these other Midwestern cases. Perhaps we could learn." <ref name=CNN03.26.09/> |
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How about we add that? [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 12:33, 8 September 2009 (UTC) |
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:The reasons for not including Gilbertson '''were''' properly explained, and by multiple people, thank you very much. I'm not seeing any pressing reason to add the other parts either. It seems to have been chosen specifically to endorse the fringe side with the "Perhaps we can learn" statement by someone not currently involved with the FBI or the case as if she were talking for them in some way. And even if it's not it's a bit of trivia about some interchange on an infotainment TV show. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 17:13, 8 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::I gotta admit it's starting to look like there's an issue here beyond additions to the article. I don't consider "It's WP:UNDUE" an adequate explanation, but I don't consider WP:UNDUE a well formed guideline so... If we can't establish that more than the two detectives that thought up the theory actually believe in the theory then, notable or not I think this article has got to go. As it stands the article is turning into a one sided attack on the detectives that formed the theory. Remember, notability is transient so just because it was notable back then doesn't mean it still is. [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 18:01, 8 September 2009 (UTC) |
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:::If you reject [[WP:UNDUE]] then there's no point to even discussing this. It's policy, fully formed with an extremely strong consensus, and we have to follow it. If you disagree with it, you can choose to edit here and follow it despite not liking it or leave and edit your own site under whatever rules you want. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 20:27, 9 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::::You might want to give that whole "read the entire statement" thing a shot. It might work better than cherry-picking what you want to argue despite what the other person actually said. If you look, and that shouldn't be too hard it's only a couple inches up from here, you will see that the statement I made was ''I don't consider "It's WP:UNDUE" '''an adequate explanation'''... '' you guys seem to think my interpretation of WP:UNDUE is exactly the same as yours, and it's not. I don't think that of the 3827 chars that make up the current article having 1409 (36.8%) refer to the theory and 2418 (63.2%) refer to the debunking of that theory as undue weight. There are currently twice as many characters denouncing the theory as supporting it. With the suggested paragraph the numbers change to: 4783 total, 2365 for (49.4%), 2418 against (50.5%). And that's with the strict interpretation that the entire paragraph, including the FBI's denouncement, is "for" (in deference to your remarks about the "Perhaps we could learn" comment). Without that the numbers drop to 2266 (47.4%) for and 2517 (52.6%) against. So it's not as clearly WP:UNDUE as you and others seem to think. As for using Larry King Live as a source, it's not necessarily a source for information as it is a source for quotes. None of the information we are adding to the article is coming from Larry or his team, it's coming from the actual people present on the show. All of which you have summarized in a simple, "It's WP:UNDUE". I'm sorry but I don't find that summarization an adequate explanation. [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 13:49, 10 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::Its within wikipedia guidlines to include the paragraph. Keep in mind its only one paragraph, and someone is concerned about two sentences. And no, there has been no substantive or properly explained reason to exclude the content of Gilbertson's comments that the theory includes the concept of drownings which do not fit the statistical pattern of accidental drownings and that it may be a group committing alleged crimes. As noted wikipedia guidelines specifically state, ''"In articles specifically about a minority viewpoint, the views may receive more attention and space"'' [[WP:UNDUEWEIGHT]]. The content should be included whether Gilbertson's name is included or not, since it is about significant elements of the theory, and yes, this substantive reason to include the content HAS been mentioned above. Gilbertson is aiding in the investigation and could be mentioned on that basis. The FBI is not fairly or fully represented in the present article. A larger portion or the full FBI quote should be included. A neutral presentation of the elements of the theory can in no way be considered as promoting it under wikipedia guidelines. The content is not offensive in any way. Agree with Padillah that the article seems to be turning into a one sided attack on the detectives. The topic is certainly notable. I've been open to compromises and suggestions, but whole sale deletions and not the appropriate response. Was very surpised that the basic content from the CNN citation was not already in the article in some form. The article certainly can use an update. [[User:Thomas Paine1776|Thomas Paine1776]] ([[User talk:Thomas Paine1776|talk]]) 23:28, 8 September 2009 (UTC) |
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:::You claim: ''"Keep in mind its only one paragraph"'' -- No, actually, we already have other parts of the article that present that side, so it'd be more than one. We do not give more weight in an article to the minority view than to the expert view, period. And I really wish you'd stop trying to give lectures on policy when what you are saying is the exact opposite of what it's there for. The article is not an attack on the detectives, but the article has to acknowledge the simple fact that the overwhelming expert opinion is that the detectives' theory isn't right. We can't come out and say it IS bunk in the article, but we HAVE to let readers know that it's a minority view and present it as such, both by text and how much space is given to each side. Anything else would be HIGHLY misleading and a violation of the core NPOV policy. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 20:27, 9 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::::You say the POV is already in the article. Where are you seeing the reference to the fly larvae? I'm looking but I can't find it. [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 13:52, 10 September 2009 (UTC) |
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:::::The POV that there's something to the murder theory. The absence of a specific detail in one part of that fringe theory is not significant, and, in fact, should be encouraged. Fully detailing various reasons why the handful of nuts believe these were murders while not giving more space with more details about why police and FBI say that there are no killers would be a massive violation of the [[WP:UNDUEWEIGHT]] clause of [[WP:NPOV]]. *IF* the theory ever moves beyond a fringe theory, then by all means we can include some of these extra details. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 22:57, 16 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::::::And I'm arguing that this is not the case. The POV that "two whacked-out cops have a stupid theory" is in the article. But the POV that anyone other than those two believe that theory is definitively '''not''' represented in the article. That's my main contention: If 200 people believe it, that's fringe - if 2 people believe it, that's a "case of the munchies". There is a distinct difference between fringe and what this article is suggesting. [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 12:14, 17 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::::::::Only four or five people so far who have anything like any expertise on the topic (and even there it's questionable that they'd even be considered to have any real expertise if it weren't for their relentless self-promotion) have been shown to support it, along with a mass of the public who likes weird theories as well as families who'd rather not believe their kids killed themselves drinking. Expert opinion on this, based upon the professionals who directly investigated it and had access to the reports, is overwhelming that there's nothing to it, as demonstrated over and over. You need to accept that. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 19:07, 20 September 2009 (UTC) |
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:::::::::And what bevy of expert astrophysicists believe the [[Moon_landing_hoax|moon landing was a hoax]]? That what a fringe theory '''is''', something the experts deny but people believe anyway. Name a single credible expert that believes the [[Face_on_mars#.22Face_on_Mars.22_and_.22pyramids.22|Mars face or the pyramids]] indicates extraterrestrial life. They don't, people that actually '''know''' what they are talking about rarely believe fringe theories. If they did they could provide credible push-back and the main theory would incorporate their ideas. This is what needs to be portrayed in the article - "The experts know this is false but there are amateurs and housewives that believe this silly theory". [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 12:25, 21 September 2009 (UTC) |
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Here is a link to an article where the claim is made McNeil's death is linked to at least 40 others .[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24366804/]. I am skeptical that everything written in some of the articles is correct. Another article claims according to KSTP,they are linked to O'Neil's death,but the KSTP article does not say that. One article says 40 may be linked and another says 40 are linked according to the detectives. --[[User:Yankee2009|Yankee2009]] ([[User talk:Yankee2009|talk]]) 19:26, 16 September 2009 (UTC) |
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:Yes, sources can be found showing that some news reports have covered this fringe topic. That doesn't mean that we can give that fringe theory [[WP:UNDUEWEIGHT]]. And please only post under one account. Pretending to be two people to try to mislead people about the consensus of the editors present is not an acceptable tactic here. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 22:57, 16 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::<s>I get the sinking suspicion that you are suggesting that Yankee2009 and I are sockpuppets of each other. You had better be very certain about that because you are about to accuse two innocent editors without a shred of proof. Your tone is becoming less pleasant the more opposition you encounter. If you think accusing people of sockpuppetry will make it easier to attack their credibility later you may want to rethink that strategy. Please explain your innuendo or remove it.</s> [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 12:08, 17 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::The WP policy is very clear, ''"In articles specifically about a minority viewpoint, the views may receive more attention and space"'' [[WP:UNDUEWEIGHT]]. Thus the content is permitted as stated above. The added content is about the theory itself, and the points are significant elements of the theory itself, thus it is valid content. Also, it is only one paragraph for the added content and only a couple of sentences, there is nothing undue about it, and its presented in a neutral way. It seems your objection is highly unreasonable. The added content directly relates tot he title of the article itelf, its about the subject. No where in the added content does it claim to be a majority viewpoint or imply that it is a majority viewpoint, so there is no case to exclude it. I don't mind if you want to qualify the theory as a minority viewpoint, so I added that to the statement. But the subject is notable and the added update of significant elements of the theory should be included. Included the FBI statement to clarify the FBI's reasoning as a majority viewpoint.[[User:Thomas Paine1776|Thomas Paine1776]] ([[User talk:Thomas Paine1776|talk]]) 00:51, 19 September 2009 (UTC) |
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:::You're just repeating the exact same flawed arguments you made above and which were already shown to be wrong. But, hey, refresher course. When they say minority views can "receive more attention and space" they mean more than none or barely any for [[WP:FRINGE]] views, NOT more than the majority views, which is what you are trying to do. Right now this is on the cusp between total fringe and mere minority, but either way the primary, expert view HAS to be given the most attention in the article. Anything else is a clear violation of [[WP:NPOV]]. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 19:07, 20 September 2009 (UTC) |
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While I do agree that the theory is probably bunk, this article spends more time making it seem like the theory is useless and spends more time focused on the rejection of the theory. If the theory is completely non-notable, delete the article. If not, add more information to show that the theory is worthy of inclusion on WP, and that other people do believe in the theory. I see no problem adding the professor to the article. If you find something that specifically says he is promoting his private investigation agency or that he is a worthless professor, then don't add him. Otherwise, you are making assumptions based on research of your own. [[User:Angryapathy|Angryapathy]] ([[User talk:Angryapathy|talk]]) 07:32, 20 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::There is ALREADY plenty of info to show that it's worthy of an article, but we can't push a POV in doing so b y giving undue weight to a fringe view. We HAVE to point out that experts say the theory is worthless in order to fairly cover the topic. This has been explained a zillio0n times and you just keep ignoring it. And I don't have top prove he is promoting anything to remove his statements, I just have to show it's a fringe view, which has already been done over and over. So start talking about actual Wikipedia policies instead of making up ways you think things should happen that do not follow policies. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 19:07, 20 September 2009 (UTC) |
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:::Show me the part of the article that expreses how notable it is? Show me the part of the article that shows the people besides the two detectives that believe this theory. You have yet to produce the part of the article that demonstrates that more than two people believe this theory. And then graciously deign to allow us to add yet another FBI statement that denounces the theory. Quote the line in the article that demonstrates more than these two detectives believe in the theory. [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 12:17, 21 September 2009 (UTC) |
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Agree. Lets' keep the information.[[User:Thomas Paine1776|Thomas Paine1776]] ([[User talk:Thomas Paine1776|talk]]) 15:46, 20 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::Of course you agree, because you want any excuse to push your own personal view on the topic, which is very likely because you're the same person who previously posted under other user names. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 19:07, 20 September 2009 (UTC) |
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Bottom line folks is we had an RFC on this above, and since the material is controversial you would need to demonstrate a clear consensus to add it. You don't have that consensus, so it cannot be added. On top of that it's a clear violation of policy. Making the same bad arguments over and over doesn't change anything. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 19:07, 20 September 2009 (UTC) |
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:That is '''not''' the bottom line. And consensus isn't ironclad, and it's obviously not as clear a violation as you appear to think or you wouldn't have this argument on your hands. I understand that you have suspicions of sockpuppetry for some on here but that does not excuse the ownership you've taken of this article. You accuse others of pushing a POV but you are pushing a POV as well, the POV that this is a crap theory and no one should believe it. Now, if you want the article to show that then write a better article. Don't do it by simply excluding stuff that defeats your POV. I don't like throwing around accusations but when it takes this much argument and in the end you agree to put in only the part that supports your POV that screams to me. I even provided you proof that this would not dilute the article and you can't accept that. And you say others are POV pushing? [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 12:17, 21 September 2009 (UTC) |
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I'm sorry, but I don't know how you ignore: ''"In articles specifically about a minority viewpoint, the views may receive more attention and space"'' [[WP:UNDUEWEIGHT]]. That means, in very clear terms, you can talk about the minority viewpoint in more depth. Seriously, if you think this article doesn't deserve any attention, nominate for deletion. Otherwise, give more attention to the theory itself and supporters of it. [[User:Angryapathy|Angryapathy]] ([[User talk:Angryapathy|talk]]) 20:36, 20 September 2009 (UTC) |
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:That does not mean more depth than the mainstream view, it means more depth than totally fringe views. And you keep saying it either needs to have more info on the minority view or deleted. That's not how policies here work. At all. Repeating that same argument over and over does nothing. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 21:09, 20 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::I have to say that I think Angryapathy may be right.[[User:Simonm223|Simonm223]] ([[User talk:Simonm223|talk]]) 21:34, 20 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::I seem to need to repeat myself because you ignore a very explicit statement in [[WP:UNDUEWEIGHT]]. You say that the minority viewpoint should not receive more attention. Well, that certainly isn't the case, when 2/3's of the article is about rejection of the theory and the other third mentions its existence. If this article is worthy of inclusion on WP, then we need to add more about the theory itself. And there is more information about it. But you have been fighting the inclusion of information from a prominent supporter that was featured on a major news outlet. I say we add one sentence to show that besides two non-notable detectives, one forensic pathologist supports the theory. Can we compromise on that? I feel if we at least mention a separate adherent, that gives the article more depth, and one sentence will still keep the attention on the fact that the theory is in the minority. [[User:Angryapathy|Angryapathy]] ([[User talk:Angryapathy|talk]]) 21:57, 20 September 2009 (UTC) |
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This is how my suggestion for the section would look like (new part in bold): |
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===Gannon and Duarte's theory=== |
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While the majority of these cases are believed by local authorities to be the result of accidental drownings, Gannon and Duarte have theorized that the young men were all murdered, either by an individual or by an organized group of killers.<ref name=CNN521 /><ref>"[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,352960,00.html Detectives: 40 Drowning Victims May Have Been Murdered by 'Smiley Face Gang']", [[Fox News]], April 29, 2008.</ref> The term ''smiley face'' became connected to the alleged murders when it was made public that Gannon and Duarte had discovered [[graffiti]] depicting a smiley face near locations where they think the killer dumped the bodies in at least a dozen of the cases. '''In March 2009, Dr. Lee Gilbertson, a forensic pathologist from St. Cloud State University, voiced his support for the theory on an episode of [[Larry King Live]] which discussed the alleged murders.'''<ref>>[http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0903/26/lkl.01.html Larry King Live March 26, 2009]. ''CNN Transcripts''. Retrieved on August 25, 2009.</ref> We don't need to go into detail, but just show that this theory is worthy of inclusion on WP, with another supporter and the mention of the theory being discussed on a major news outlet.[[User:Angryapathy|Angryapathy]] ([[User talk:Angryapathy|talk]]) 13:49, 21 September 2009 (UTC) |
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:It's ALREADY BEEN SHOWN to be worthy of an article on WP, based upon extensive news coverage of the original theory, and as covered several years apart. What is not worthy of mention is some person of no demonstrated expertise being named as a supporter for no reason just to get his name in and to try to artificially up the count of perceived support for the theory while not expanding the already under-represented police and FBI and other experts' views that there's nothing to this but some wild conspiracy theory. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 18:53, 22 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::I wish you'd make up your mind between this subject being notable and this subject being frivalous. Then maybe we could have a logical discussion. [[User:Angryapathy|Angryapathy]] ([[User talk:Angryapathy|talk]]) 19:12, 22 September 2009 (UTC) |
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:::The idea of Bigfoot, for example, is ridiculous, but it's also notable. That's why we have an article on it, but that doesn't mean the article can be used as a soapbox for all the people who believe in Bigfoot. The smiley face theory is notable in that it got a fair amount of news coverage, but experts overwhelmingly consider it nonsense. If you don't understand the difference then you have no business editing this article -- or any part of this encyclopedia. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 13:31, 23 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::::I apologize that not understanding your line of thinking prohibits my ability to edit on Wikipedia. How silly of me. [[User:Angryapathy|Angryapathy]] ([[User talk:Angryapathy|talk]]) 13:35, 23 September 2009 (UTC) |
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:::::It's not "my line of thinking," it's Wikipedia policy. What you say you want to do violates clear founding principles of this site. If you have a problem with that, then this site is not for you. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 00:08, 24 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::It makes me wonder why a person that's a NGCRC Certified Gang Specialist who works in the criminal justice studies department has no demonstrated expertise. You say we want to include this "for no reason" yet we have repeatedly explained that there is currently a complete and utter lack of anyone else believing this theory. And I must question your approach that, rather than expand the FBI denouement it's preferable to limit the explanation of the theory. [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 19:23, 22 September 2009 (UTC) |
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:::You're kidding, right? A street gang specialist is not an expert on drownings or serial killer conspiracies. If he's the best Larry King could dig up to support the view, then point proven that it's a fringe view. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 00:08, 24 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::::I would love for you to support this change but it's becoming increasingly clear you have no intention of compromising. I have made a change to include a proponent viewpoint (the change suggested above). Consensus now widely supports this change so I made it. Be forewarned: if you revert it I can only assume you have no intention of allowing any changes to be made to this article and have taken ownership of it. As such I will ask for mediation to determine the best course of action. I made the smallest change I could in deference to your objections but I would feel fine supporting some variation of the full paragraph that was originally suggested. [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 18:15, 1 October 2009 (UTC) |
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:::::You can't even be serious. ''"Be forewarned: if you revert it I can only assume you have no intention of allowing any changes to be made to this article and have taken ownership of it."'' That's not only a violation of [[WP:AGF]] but it's an obvious attempt to [[WP:OWN]] the article yourself. It's funny how the "smallest change" you could come up with is the one of all the discussed changes most people objected most strongly to, as it adds no meaningful encyclopedic content to the article and has been clearly articulated to be an attempt to "support" the theory, which is a major NPOV violation. That's not a compromise at all, and so reverting it should not be viewed as ''"no intention of compromising"''. Compromise is not making your same demand over and over and over. So you should not be surprised that it got reverted. You can ask for mediation all you want, but, until you demonstrate a willingness to act in good faith instead of making petty personal attacks and threats, mediation will not be helpful either. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 01:42, 2 October 2009 (UTC) |
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== Consensus? == |
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The consensus was regarding the addition of the extra paragraph. I trimmed down the "evidence" presented regarding one case (Patrick O’Neil ) of the supposed 40 murders to a brief mention that there is another supporter of the theory, and it was notable enough to be featured on Larry King. I think this is a valid compromise from the two sides. [[User:Angryapathy|Angryapathy]] ([[User talk:Angryapathy|talk]]) 14:29, 22 September 2009 (UTC) |
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:That's not a compromise, it's adding the part that people objected most strongly to when it was discussed above. And, really, there's already too much space given to the [[WP:FRINGE]] view on this article. The only part that needs expansion is the police and FBI view. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 18:43, 22 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::For what it's worth the current consensus leans (by one, not counting the contentious input of one editor) toward including the information in some form. Taken to it's logical conclusion your outlook would have us not include anything about the fringe theory which, given that this is an article about said theory would make for difficult reading. [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 18:48, 22 September 2009 (UTC) |
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According to Dreamguy, Gilbertson isn't notable enough to be included in this page. However, his name is mentioned alongside Gannon and Duarte in two major new outlets (Larry King and MSNBC), and pretty much every other somewhat reputable source for this subject on the internet includes Gilbertson along with Gannon/Duarte. I don't see how Gannon-Duarte are any more notable than Gilbertson. I guess this is the main cause for my confusion. Dreamguy wields [[WP:FRINGE]] to say we shouldn't add ANYTHING more to the article to support it, when basically the article solely states that two non-notable detectives (other than for this theory) believe in the theory. I don't feel there is any proof on this page that this is notable, and that is why I feel adding the Gilbertson/Larry King sentance. Even with the sentance added, ''the majority of the article is still dedicated to debunking the theory.'' And no, the RfC was about adding the entire paragraph, and not the jist of the source. So there is '''no''' consensus about adding Gilbertson. |
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Dreamguy, please make up your mind whether this article meets [[WP:FRINGE]] to be included on WP but doesn't meet [[WP:FRINGE]] to add more information about it. [[User:Angryapathy|Angryapathy]] ([[User talk:Angryapathy|talk]]) 19:39, 22 September 2009 (UTC) |
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'''Let me get this straight''': there are four paragraphs that denounce the theory, yet only one paragraph that posits the theory, and none supporting it. The 4 paragraphs themselves seem to be a little bit of undue weight, failing to give a balanced POV to this article. Allow some "support" statements, as the "Rejection" section is very non-neutral. ([[User talk:Bwilkins|<font style="font-variant:small-caps">talk→</font>]]<span style="border:1px solid black;">''' [[User:Bwilkins|BWilkins]] '''</span>[[Special:Contributions/Bwilkins|<font style="font-variant:small-caps">←track</font>]]) 13:01, 23 September 2009 (UTC) |
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:In order to get things straight you need to understand our policies. You are using the words "undue weight" to describe THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY EXPERT VIEW (you can't give undue weight to the side our policies is supposed to have the most weight) and say that it's unfair to the under-represent the views of the fringe believers? Have you ever read NPOV policy, because you've got it completely backwards. Claiming 4-0 (presumably paragraphs picking a side) as a violation of NPOV is nonsense. We are NOT here to give "equal time" to anyone with an opinion. If you want to add statements supporting the fringe view then we also need to add many more statements about the majority view.Please take the time to read about [[WP:UNDUEWEIGHT]] and our rules on [[WP:FRINGE]] topics. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 13:38, 23 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::And I am firmly under the impression that you are mistaken. We are not trying to say the fringe view is under-represented. We are saying it's '''not represented at all'''. There is a difference between non-POV and NO POV. [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 13:47, 23 September 2009 (UTC) |
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:::The theory is clearly represented. To claim otherwise is just bizarre wikilawyering to advance a POV. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 00:01, 24 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::::And that's where you are misunderstand me. I am not talking about the theory. I am talking about '''belief in the theory'''. Currently you have a "notable" theory that exactly two people believe. Big deal. [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 12:43, 24 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::None of us think the theory should receive equal time. The issue is that the theory is not presented as something that is believed outside of two non-notable detectives. The article is presented as, "Two detectives have a theory, and here's the reason why it is BS." There is no explanation as to how or why it is notable. |
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::Nowhere in UNDUE or FRINGE does it say that '''in an article about a fringe view,''' editors must spend X amount of space to the fringe view, and Y amount more on the majority view. [[WP:FRINGE]] is more of an inclusion guideline than a content guideline; since you have admitted that the Smiley face murder theory meets that criteria, it holds little sway here. [[WP:UNDUE]] is more apt, with, '''In articles specifically about a minority viewpoint, the views may receive more attention and space. However, such pages should make appropriate reference to the majority viewpoint wherever relevant, and must not reflect an attempt to rewrite content strictly from the perspective of the minority view.''' This page, even with the addition of contentious material, still meets this standard by showing that all mainstream source (police departments/FBI) do not believe in the theory. I do not see how adding slightly more background about the theory will shift the balance of this page to the minority viewpoint. [[User:Angryapathy|Angryapathy]] ([[User talk:Angryapathy|talk]]) 14:10, 23 September 2009 (UTC) |
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:::Slightly more background from some nobody with no expertise on the topic who desperately wants to see his name in Wikipedia, apparently... [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 00:01, 24 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::::Show me a page that says that about Gilbertson. Simple as that. Or is that your own opinion you have drawn? [[User:Angryapathy|Angryapathy]] ([[User talk:Angryapathy|talk]]) 03:11, 24 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::::DreamGuy, have you found this page yet? If we are going to discount Gilbertson based on this we need some sourcing. [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 16:23, 25 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::::What on earth are you even asking for, and what does it have to do with anything? We discount him based upon [[WP:UNDUEWEIGHT]] and [[WP:FRINGE]], not based upon our personal opinions. It's nice to see you jump over a random comment where I am merely pointing out that the brand new user and his sockpuppets (the ones who first showed up, not the later editors with extensive edit histories) all seem to be trying to endorse this guy and finding it suspicious. But if you want to include him he hasn';t be shown to be notable and that his inclusion doesn't violate NPOV by giving coverage out of proportion. The proprtion is the main problem, and I've already suggested ways you might fix that, but you just want to play games apparently. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 16:52, 1 October 2009 (UTC) |
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Picture Wikipedia centuries ago: one guy says "I have a theory that the Earth revolves around the sun", so we have an article about it. No other guys are allowed to say "I think so too" in the article, but the Catholic church among others are all allowed to have statements saying they disagree vehemently with the theory. ([[User talk:Bwilkins|<font style="font-variant:small-caps">talk→</font>]]<span style="border:1px solid black;">''' [[User:Bwilkins|BWilkins]] '''</span>[[Special:Contributions/Bwilkins|<font style="font-variant:small-caps">←track</font>]]) 15:30, 23 September 2009 (UTC) |
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:And your point is? We're not psychic. We don't know which fringe theories will turn out to be right and which will continue to be idiotic for all time. The best we can do is go with what the experts say, and indeed that's EXACTLY what our policies demand. If you have a problem with that, go to a different site. If your sole argument is arguing against policy then you have no argument. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 00:01, 24 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::We have a problem with your interpretation of the policies, actually. You think it is cut and dry to show the mere existence of a theory, and then debunk it. How are Gannon/Duarte any more notable than Gilbertson? They have the same motives, but you seem to have no problem with their names being on this page. [[User:Angryapathy|Angryapathy]] ([[User talk:Angryapathy|talk]]) 03:11, 24 September 2009 (UTC) |
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:::Per NPOV, presentation in an article should represents significant views that have been published by reliable sources. Fringe and unorthodox views without meaningful support such as this should not be included. [[User:Richard|Richard]] ([[User talk:Richard|talk]]) 05:37, 24 September 2009 (UTC) |
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:::: [[Galileo Gambit]]? We read what all the sources say, weight it according to their [[WP:RS|reliability]], and reflect that as accurately as we can. That is all. So far as I can tell, nobody here is [[WP:SYNTH|debunking]] the theory, just relaying the points of the most prominent commentators. |
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:::: I [http://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Smiley_face_murder_theory&diff=315867102&oldid=315505750 rearranged] the presentation somewhat - the whole article was divided as subsections of one section. I also retitled ''Rejection'' as ''Reception'' - the FBI ''et al.'' do reject the theory, but Congressional material fits better now. Just revert and discuss if there is a better way to do this. - [[User talk:2over0|2/0]] <small>([[Special:Contributions/2over0|cont.]])</small> 07:12, 24 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::::@Richard: You miss the part where the entire article is about a fringe theory. Now, if "Fringe and unorthodox views without meaningful support such as this should not be included" then we can AfD the article right now. |
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::::@2/0: If you don't see the FBI and other police departments debunking the theory than we need to do a major rewrite of the article. My argument is that the article contains little else than statements debunking the theory. Including a lack of explanation of the theory itself. Other than the single paragraph explaining that two cops have a theory the entirety of the article is spent debunking the theory. Most of us are advocating exactly what you said; read what '''all''' the sources say (rather than just the ones that agree with us), weigh the reliability of the sources (rather than their presentation), and reflect that accurately (as opposed to misleading readers into believing what we have predetermined is the answer). I have no problem with that approach and would love if someone would try it with this article. [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 12:43, 24 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::::: 2/0 ... thanks for the realignment under subheadings. I was contemplating doing those myself, but my goal here is not to be involved in the article, but to be involved in resolving a series of differences! Thanks for taking the bull by the horns on that! ([[User talk:Bwilkins|<font style="font-variant:small-caps">talk→</font>]]<span style="border:1px solid black;">''' [[User:Bwilkins|BWilkins]] '''</span>[[Special:Contributions/Bwilkins|<font style="font-variant:small-caps">←track</font>]]) 13:01, 24 September 2009 (UTC) |
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:I really don't think that a TV talk show should be used as a source in an article on a criminological subject, especially not when the talk show is being used to advance what the reliable sources seem to consider a fringe theory. As I stated in the RFC, there's no reason to mention Gilbertson or his talk show appearances at all. [[User talk:Crotalus horridus|<font color="#11A"><b><tt>*** Crotalus ***</tt></b></font>]] 14:13, 24 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::How about an article on MSNBC? [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24366804/ "The (smiley) face of a killer?"] [[User:Angryapathy|Angryapathy]] ([[User talk:Angryapathy|talk]]) 14:26, 24 September 2009 (UTC) |
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:::This article focuses on Gannon and Duarte; there is only a single quote from Gilbertson. [[User talk:Crotalus horridus|<font color="#11A"><b><tt>*** Crotalus ***</tt></b></font>]] 14:50, 24 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::::What is your burden or proof to add Gilbertson then? We have two major media outlets mentioning Gilbertson in support of the theory. [[User:Angryapathy|Angryapathy]] ([[User talk:Angryapathy|talk]]) 14:58, 24 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::At what point can I depend on a quote from a person I am looking right at? If I'm watching a show and the guest on the show says something I think it's pretty dependable to say the person made the statement. Even though the statement was made on Larry King that doesn't mean he didn't say it. [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 15:25, 24 September 2009 (UTC) |
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:::::: @Padillah: By ''nobody here'' I meant editors at this talkpage, not sources. Sorry for being unclear. - [[User talk:2over0|2/0]] <small>([[Special:Contributions/2over0|cont.]])</small> 14:15, 24 September 2009 (UTC) |
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I believe this article has a problem stemming from [[WP:FRINGE]]: "Articles which cover controversial, disputed, or discounted ideas in detail should document (with reliable sources) the current level of their acceptance among the relevant academic community." This is where this article fails, because it does not show any acceptance at all, but simply rejection. [[User:Angryapathy|Angryapathy]] ([[User talk:Angryapathy|talk]]) 14:58, 24 September 2009 (UTC) |
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:This theory has no acceptance among any academic community. The cornerstone of the academic process is peer review. Gilbertson may spout off about this theory on talk shows, but he has never published a peer-reviewed paper on it. If he ever does this, then by all means, his research should be mentioned. Until then, it is just speculation. [[User talk:Crotalus horridus|<font color="#11A"><b><tt>*** Crotalus ***</tt></b></font>]] 15:07, 24 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::The whole theory is speculation. I don't see your argument. And FRINGE does not say that there needs to be a published academic paper in a scholarly journal. [[User:Angryapathy|Angryapathy]] ([[User talk:Angryapathy|talk]]) 15:14, 24 September 2009 (UTC) |
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:::In point of fact WP:FRINGE addresses the acceptance of works and statements without peer review in light of the fact that it may not be possible with a FRINGE theory. [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 15:28, 24 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::::Besides, the source used to reference Gilbertson's opinion is a [[WP:Primary source|primary source]]. Unless his opinion is covered extensively by reliable sources, it should not be included at all. The above source provided from the ''Today'' show only takes in one quote from him. [[User:Richard|Richard]] ([[User talk:Richard|talk]]) 18:38, 24 September 2009 (UTC) |
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:::::And [[WP:NOR]] covers the use of Primary Sources thusly:<blockquote>Our policy: Primary sources that have been reliably published (for example, by a university press or mainstream newspaper) may be used in Wikipedia, but only with care, because it is easy to misuse them. Any interpretation of primary source material requires a reliable secondary source for that interpretation. Without a secondary source, a primary source may be used only to make descriptive claims, the accuracy of which is verifiable by a reasonable, educated person without specialist knowledge.</blockquote>I think we can agree that CNN is a reliable publisher. I think we can all agree the Larry King show, while sensationalist, is still reliable as a source of quotes (you can watch the guys lips move for yourself). So being from a primary source should not be a problem. |
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:::::Given DreamGuys insistence on using WP:UNDUE I'll quote a passage from it: "In general, articles should not give minority views as much or as detailed a description as more popular views; generally, '''the views of tiny minorities should not be included at all'''." [emphasis mine] Notability aside, if the view is only held by two detectives trying to make a name for themselves, we shouldn't include it at all. In other words, per your own favorite policy, unless we can establish that more than these two guys believe this theory, we should delete the article (and consider mentioning it in the one drowning case where it has any prominence). [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 12:10, 25 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::Crotalus horridus, where is the peer reviewed paper on [[Paul is dead]]? Or the [[Mars face]]? That's what a FRINGE theory '''IS'''. If there were an academic, peer reviewed paper on this we wouldn't have a problem, it wouldn't be a fringe theory any more. [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 12:14, 25 September 2009 (UTC) |
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If a noted industry specialist discusses something on TV, gives his point of view, that's not OR. So, if a coroner comments on the evening news, that's the coroner's statement. If it's on something like Larry King (a well-known news program) that can actually have transcripts, it's quotable. ([[User talk:Bwilkins|<font style="font-variant:small-caps">talk→</font>]]<span style="border:1px solid black;">''' [[User:Bwilkins|BWilkins]] '''</span>[[Special:Contributions/Bwilkins|<font style="font-variant:small-caps">←track</font>]]) 17:26, 25 September 2009 (UTC) |
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:Being an avid reader most editors are doing a fantastic job. Please [<small>[[WP:NPA|Personal attack]] removed per [[WP:Talk page guidelines|Talk page guidelines]] by - [[User talk:2over0|2/0]] <small>([[Special:Contributions/2over0|cont.]])</small> 21:21, 28 September 2009 (UTC)</small>].--[[User:Botdance|Botdance]] ([[User talk:Botdance|talk]]) 21:59, 25 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::Thank you, [[User:Bwilkins|BWilkins]] for the information; I must apologize.--[[User:Botdance|Botdance]] ([[User talk:Botdance|talk]]) 22:40, 25 September 2009 (UTC) |
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:::Those comments were certainly useless to this discussion. [[User:Angryapathy|Angryapathy]] ([[User talk:Angryapathy|talk]]) 22:55, 25 September 2009 (UTC) |
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== Summing up == |
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As we seem to be arguing in circles, I think it would be effective to sum up the main arguments regarding the addition of a mention of Gilbertson in this article. |
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*'''Consensus has been reached''' |
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Consensus was ''never'' reached. The RFC started September 1st, and by my count, me, Padillah, Cla86, Simonm223, and Bwilkins support addition of Gilbertson, and Dreamguy, Richard, 2/0, and Croatalus are against. We'll ignore Thomaspaine due to suspected sockpuppetry. Even if I have missed people, consensus is not reached by a simple majority. |
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::Agreed. |
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*'''Gilbertson is not a credible source''' |
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No independent sources have called Gilbertson's credibility or motives into question. He is an associate professor at a university, and has a Ph.d in criminology, and has been sourced on the subject on Larry King and in an MSNBC article/The Today Show. |
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::Agreed. If someone is going to impugn this guys character they should have sources to back up the allegations. |
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*'''The sources for Gilbertson are not reliable''' |
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While Larry King may be a news talk program, it is not The Jerry Springer Show. A show that has former presidents on it on a regular basis is enough for the show not to be discounted. |
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::Agreed. Unless there is support over at [[WP:RS]] it should be regarded as a reliable source. |
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*'''The addition of the information violates [[WP:FRINGE]] and [[WP:UNDUE]]''' |
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I think out of all the issues involved, this is the most critical and hotly contested, and comes down to two viewpoints: that adding Gilbertson would improve the article, or that it would weigh too heavily in favor of a fringe theory. I believe the article is slanted towards the rejection of the theory, as it should, because it is in fact a fringe theory. However, as has been quoted extensively from [[WP:UNDUE]]: "In articles specifically about a minority viewpoint, the views may receive more attention and space." And even with the addition of Gilbertson, the article still shows that all involved law enforcement offices find the theory to be bunk. If this topic violates [[WP:FRINGE]] by being too unimportant, than the article needs to be deleted. Otherwise, since it seems to be agreed that the topic is notable, we are allowed to expound on the theory as long as it is shown that the theory is not widely held. |
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My suggested compromise from the beginning of the RfC was to add one sentence: "In March 2009, Dr. Lee Gilbertson, a forensic pathologist from St. Cloud State University, voiced his support for the theory on an episode of Larry King Live which discussed the alleged murders," which is much shorter than the original proposed addition, and seems to be a good middle-ground for compromise. |
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I honestly don't care about the Smiley Face Murder Theory, but I do care about the article, and want to improve it, and I believe this will in fact make it a better article. [[User:Angryapathy|Angryapathy]] ([[User talk:Angryapathy|talk]]) 23:21, 25 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::The above is bordering on {{WP:OWN]] issues. We are not being listened to at all. We are simply being denied. Fine, what do you propose to address the shortcomings in this article? We have expressed a point of view, how would you address that outlook on the article? Or is the article fine as-is? There's nothing wrong with it and we should nominate it for GA right now. Please stop simply denying change and suggest a direction so we can start improving the article. [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 13:24, 28 September 2009 (UTC) |
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:::The fact that you insist your changes be made despite not having consensus shows that you have [[WP:OWN]] issues. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 21:02, 28 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::::No, I insist '''a change''' be made. I'm open to any of the changes you've suggested too... oh wait. That's right, you haven't made any suggestions. You've just reverted others and demanded the article be written your way. Hmmm, you're right. I'm much more in line with WP:OWN conflicts than you are. [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 12:09, 29 September 2009 (UTC) |
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:::::Well, if you are INSISTING that a change be made, then YOU are the one with the ownership problems. You do not get to insist anything. What part of this very basic concept do you not understand? You're just one editor here. If you cannot get consensus to make the changes you insist upon, then you are simply out of luck. You need to deal with that. Running off to ANI and making extremely deceptive comments is an attempt to game the system. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 20:12, 29 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::::::I disagree completely. I have every right (and, in fact, am required by the WP community) to insist that this article be of a certain quality. If you think lambasting these two detectives and misrepresenting this theory as being believed by '''not one single person''' is the best this article can do then I argue that the notability of this has past and it needs to be deleted. You are just one editor as well and, for what it's worth, are exerting much more control over this article than I am. You have reverted changes because they mentioned Gilbertson. Then, when the change was rephrased to not include Gilbertson, your reasoning magically changed to something else so that you could revert that as well. I have neither made nor reverted any controversial edits to this page, while you have held sway (almost exclusively) for the entire argument. Having done nothing in any way sneaky or underhanded I object to the personal attacks. That's not going to win your argument for you. Consensus was not on your side (the rundown that has been presented was one !vote in favor of including the statement) and misrepresenting policy (or pieces of policy, as WP:UNDUE is not actually a policy but a way to enforce the WP:NPOV policy) is not going to help your cause either. Neither is attacking the editor, none of that will make this article any less heinously lopsided than it is now. [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 21:26, 29 September 2009 (UTC) |
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:::::::You can insist the article be of a certain quality, but you can't insist that you're opinion of what constitutes quality must be followed. That's the whole basics of [[WP:OWN]] and you have invented up some bizarre rationalization to try to excuse your being unwilling to accept what other people say. And telling people only one person disagreed with you is sneaky and underhanded, as it was clearly false, so stop complaining about being caught doing it. And your claims of only one person voting against it is completely false. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 16:10, 1 October 2009 (UTC) |
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::::::::Then I'm forced to repeat myself and ask for a change that '''can''' be made. I never insisted my change be made and expounded on that above. I also never represented this as having one person that disagreed. I'd also like to ask you to provide the diff where I'm "telling people only one person disagreed with [me]". Of course, like all other requests for proof from you this will go unanswered as well. [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 14:26, 2 October 2009 (UTC) |
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You can call that a "summing up" and declare yourself having a consensus all you want, but that doesn't make it so. The RFC brought in a number of outside commentators, and most of them agreed with me that the edits you propose give UNDUE weight to a FRINGE view for the purposes of pushing a POV. They don't feel the need to repeat themselves over and over just because you guys refuse to accept what we all said. |
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The bottom line is that you do not have consensus, your proposed changes are controversial and need to have clear consensus before you can put them into the article, and if you try to use the article to give undo weight to a fringe view you will be reverted. You already know this, having seen it happen. At this point you're just in denial and refusing to accept defeat and refusing to make any alternate suggestions. Demanding the same thing over and over and over again after multiple people have already explained why it should not happen is not a useful strategy. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 21:02, 28 September 2009 (UTC) |
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:Well, it looks like Dreamguy has declared the debate to be over. Since he obviously has God-like powers on WP, we must obey. [[User:Angryapathy|Angryapathy]] ([[User talk:Angryapathy|talk]]) 21:31, 28 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::You can "debate" all you want (though actual debate requires actually acknowledging and responding to what others say instead of saying the exact same things over and over as if they were new), but the bottom line, per [[WP:BRD]] and [[WP:STATUSQUO]] is that if you want to make controversial changes you need to demonstrate consensus to do so. You haven't, so you won't be able to edit the article until you actually work something out with others instead of ignoring and/or insulting them. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 21:41, 28 September 2009 (UTC) |
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:::I'm sorry, but I find it more insulting that since our arguments are counter to yours, you have dismissed them. And I haven't seen an inch of compromise coming from your side. [[User:Angryapathy|Angryapathy]] ([[User talk:Angryapathy|talk]]) 01:14, 29 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::::So you feel insulted when you are ignored but don't think it's equally insulting for you to dismiss the opinions of all the editors who disagree with you (so much so that you pretend it was only one person instead of several)? Sounds like you want to play by different rules than what you demand out of other people. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 16:10, 1 October 2009 (UTC) |
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:::: It's good that the debate is over. I see a new and proper consensus based on policy rather than false consensus based on misreading of policy. [[Wonderpets|looks like my work here is done]]. ([[User talk:Bwilkins|<font style="font-variant:small-caps">talk→</font>]]<span style="border:1px solid black;">''' [[User:Bwilkins|BWilkins]] '''</span>[[Special:Contributions/Bwilkins|<font style="font-variant:small-caps">←track</font>]]) 09:28, 29 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::::Is this a joke? If the debate is over then you admit you lost? Because if you think there's a clear consensus to do what you want to do you're mistaken. And I'd say that what you wanted to do was misreading policy but there's been no indication you even tried to read it in the first place, as the only comments you made explicitly contradicted extremely clear language in the policy. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 16:10, 1 October 2009 (UTC) |
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:::What I find to be beyond ridiculous is his insistence on provable inaccuracies. He says we are "...refusing to make any alternate suggestions..." when two or three different compromises have been offered. They are in the text above and can be looked up if needs be. He says "The RFC brought in a number of outside commentators, and most of them agreed with me..." but we've done rundowns and even considering the specious nature of one of the supporters there's still a single !vote for adding the information. Again, all one need do is look above. He makes statements like "you won't be able to edit the article until you actually work something out with others instead of ignoring and/or insulting them..." while having given no input on a compromise or even recognition that there are valid arguments being made about the fitness of the article. I came here at his behest to weigh in on the edits being made. Now that I don't agree with him I'm showing [[WP:OWN]]ership issues. When he comes to get me, that's fine. But when I ask for advice from someone that asks me for specifics, I'm shopping. DreamGuy you are becoming insufferable and your attitudes towards this article are becoming clearer and clearer. [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 12:09, 29 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::::No, the compromises you have offered have been the exact same things suggested and rejected earlier. Your attitudes toward this article and Wikipedia policies are extremely clear. If you can honestly sit there and act like the problem is that I don't let you do what you insist must be done despite the fact that several editors have all disagreed with you, then you either are quite deluded or are trying to game the system. Your highly deceptive comments posted to ANI suggest the latter, because even someone extremely deluded would know that many of the things you said there are just false. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 20:12, 29 September 2009 (UTC) |
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:::::That's what compromise is, a little yes and a little no. Your argument is like saying Chocolate Ice Cream is the same as Strawberry Ice Cream because they are both just Ice Cream. No, they are different flavors, and it's this subtle difference that makes it a compromise. Yes, I would hope that my attitude towards this article is clear, I have explained it several times: With no representation that anybody but the two detectives believes this theory it lacks encyclopedic merit and should be deleted. If more than the two detectives believe the theory then we need to present that in the article to maintain NPOV. Several editors disagree with you and you seem to have no problem telling all of them they are wrong, why should this side be different? You do realize how ego-maniacal that sounds, don't you? When You insist everyone else is wrong, they don't understand you. When I insist you are wrong I'm deluded? Keep your personal attacks and let's talk about the article. [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 21:26, 29 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::::::If people can't take the idea that they are wrong, then they should read policies and educate themselves first. Listen, LOTS of editors said YOU are wrong, but you just pretend they didn't say anything and try to claim it was only me. If thinking editors are wrong is egomaniacal, then everyone on this page is a raving egomaniac by your definition, because whole groups of people disagree with each other. That's not pathological, that's to be expected. And it's sad that you try to call me egomaniacal and then turn around and say *I* shouldn't be making personal attacks. That's just plain hypocritical. You need to focus on the actual article and you need to come up with real compromises instead of fake ones that ignore what other people said to push exactly what you wanted in the first place. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 15:55, 1 October 2009 (UTC) |
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I have brought this page and it's problems up at [[WP:AN/I#Please_take_a_look_for_possible_ownership_issues|AN/I]] |
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*I saw the AN/I thread, and have read the above debate. I conclude that Gilbertson's views are relevant, have been presented in a reliable source, CNN, and would not give undue weight to a fringe view if included. Articles about fringe theories should include such supporting statements by a college professor in a relevant field, as presented on CNN, and not just sources which debunk it. There is a failure to present a neutral point of view about a fringe theory when any statement supporting it, from what would be considered a reliable source in other articles, is excluded on such an incorrect basis as "undue weight." Blogs should be excluded, but not Gilbertson. I believe the "theory" is a combination of many unrelated accidental drownings (young men have been getting drunk and drowning for centuries) and people have been drawing [[Smiley]]s on walls since the 1970's, so some conjunctions are inevitable. Some drownings are homicides. That does not make it all a Vast Conspiracy. [[User:Edison|Edison]] ([[User talk:Edison|talk]]) 17:36, 29 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::It's not just sources that debunk it that have been given, as the claims by the people who presented have been already presented in the article... describing the theory itself is a promotion of the idea, which needs to be weighted properly with more reliable and more expert views. Gilbertson would be undue weight to a fringe view, and I see nothing to conclude that he would be a reliable source in other articles, so saying that because he would be accepted elsewhere he must be accepted here is not a good argument. Even if we accept him as a reliable source, giving too much weight to sources sharing a fringe view violates NPOV, as it confuses readers into thinking that because it takes up a lot of space in an article there must be some truth to it. Please read [[WP:FRINGE]] for specific examples on cases like this are handled.[[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 20:12, 29 September 2009 (UTC) |
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:::How does the single sentence AngryApathy suggested (that you shot down for the exact same reasons presented here) constitute "a lot of space"? [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 21:26, 29 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::::A lot of space compared to main expert view, which is underdocumented on the article. UNDUEWEIGHT is all about how much space is given. Also, in listing of names of supporters, listing more names of supporters of the FRINGE view gives the false impresion that more people in general believe the FRINGE view. If we want to expland the coverage of the nut view we need to expand the coverage of the mainstream view first. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 15:55, 1 October 2009 (UTC) |
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*Saw this at ANI, I agree with Edison above that Gilbertson should be mentioned. It is an odd interpretation of the relevant guidelines and policies to ''completely'' exclude him. The universe of experts is not exhausted by the the FBI and police experts; his inclusion shows there is some expert debate. A single sentence is not a lot of space and is not likely to confuse readers, our job is not to censor wikipedia in order to protect them.[[User:John Z|John Z]] ([[User talk:John Z|talk]]) 22:46, 29 September 2009 (UTC) |
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*DreamGuy has done some great work in this article, by preventing fringe views from having an inappropriate forum, but it has progressed to ownership of the article, and to demands that no presentation of the fringy view by a college Associate Professor on CNN be allowed at all, which is unsupported by any guideline or policy. [[User:Edison|Edison]] ([[User talk:Edison|talk]]) 05:22, 30 September 2009 (UTC) |
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:*Matybe if you actually read our policies and guidelines you'd know what you were talking about. It's not that this one person's views *can't* be included, it's that including them (a mere associate professor on a edutainment talk show) without first expanding the info on the FBI and police and other experts who all say the theory is nonsense would give undue weight to [[WP:FRINGE]] believers, which is [[WP:UNDUEWEIGHT]]. You should already know how this all works. If not, go read them. They are linked for a reason. Take the time to educate yourself. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 15:55, 1 October 2009 (UTC) |
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::::Sorry I haven't been around for good reasons so now some input. I think the suggested sentence above by Angryapathy would be acceptable. Though I am not mentioned I do say above on this talk page that I think the paragraph lends too much weight for the one interview. I just did a search again and if I looked at it correctly its been five months since anyone has talked about this. Is notability going away? Also my search from 5 months ago shows ABC and other stations not mentioned in the article so maybe a search and adding some of these others in may help the article. I am recovering from spine surgery and have nerve damage right now that is affecting my ability to do this kind of editing so I am just tossing this out incase there is interest. --[[User:Crohnie|<span style="color:purpled ">'''Crohnie'''</span><span style="color:deeppink">'''Gal'''</span>]][[User talk:Crohnie|<span style="color:deepskyblue"><sup>Talk</sup></span>]] 12:42, 30 September 2009 (UTC) |
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:::::You are right, if this article is really this insignificant it needs to be deleted. If not let us expand it. But how can I be sure that proper research and sourcing will be respected when I have editors saying, point blank, "Any mention of Gilbertson is giving WP:UNDUEWEIGHT." There are editors that have admitted that any edit they don't agree with will be reverted out of hand. The article can't progress under those circumstances. [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 13:13, 30 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::::::You keep repeating the same ridiculous argument. Just because you don't get to fill the article up with POV-pushing content doesn't mean it should be deleted, and Crohnie in no way suggested that. And I didn't say that anything I disagree with will be reverted out of hand, just the things you said you demanded which you clearly do not have consensus to do. If you ever get a real consensus, by all means. But you are lying about who said what, as you keep trying to falsely paint this as me versus everyone else. *Several* editors agreed with me above, and explained why, so it's not like you can misread them. The problem here is you misrepresent what others say and the new people coming in are confused and think that what you say is accurate. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 16:10, 1 October 2009 (UTC) |
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(outdent) DreamGuy, it is you who continue to make the same arguements, and have failed. The policies you quote state almost exactly the opposite of what you say. The majority of people have now said the same. Your argument is dead. This is why Padillah has said that you must have some issues with [[WP:OWN]] - and from what I can see it's either [[WP:OWN]], [[WP:IDIDNTHEARTHAT]], and hopefully not [[WP:DICK]]. Get over it. This is a minor article, and not worth raising your heart rate over. The theory, as put forward, needs to have at least 1 additional, sourced proponent. There is one. Add it in. Done. Move along to some random article that also needs improvement. ([[User talk:Bwilkins|<font style="font-variant:small-caps">talk→</font>]]<span style="border:1px solid black;">''' [[User:Bwilkins|BWilkins]] '''</span>[[Special:Contributions/Bwilkins|<font style="font-variant:small-caps">←track</font>]]) 16:10, 1 October 2009 (UTC) |
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:This is ridiculous. My argument is not dead, it was supported by multiple editors above, and it follows the actual policy. You keep talking about policy but show no evidence of having read any of them. And if you are now just proclaiming that I should be ignored, then it's obviously you who have the [[WP:OWN]] problems. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 16:18, 1 October 2009 (UTC) |
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:: I never said you were to be ignored, I said that consensus has changed (and it happened days ago). I have edited the article once to fix grammar, and otherwise don't care about it, other than helping both sides to properly read policy and make the article actually ''fit'' policy. People are now very able to do so, and I think everyone's cooperation has been a benefit to that. ([[User talk:Bwilkins|<font style="font-variant:small-caps">talk→</font>]]<span style="border:1px solid black;">''' [[User:Bwilkins|BWilkins]] '''</span>[[Special:Contributions/Bwilkins|<font style="font-variant:small-caps">←track</font>]]) 16:26, 1 October 2009 (UTC) |
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:::There certainly is no consensus to change the article, the only people who claim there is have ignored earlier comments completely and misrepresented comments. And, again, when it comes to making articles fit policy, your comments, out of everyones' on this page, have been the ones most directly contradicting what the policies say. It's pretty cheeky for you to claim you're here to help people ''"properly read"'' policy when you show no evidence of having read it at all. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 16:33, 1 October 2009 (UTC) |
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== ANI Notice == |
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'''Procedural Note''' This talk page has been brought up at [[WP:ANI]]. You may want to head over there in order to participate in the discussion. [[User:Basket of Puppies|<font color="brown" size="2" face="Constantia">'''Basket of Puppies'''</font>]] 12:31, 29 September 2009 (UTC) |
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:I support inclusion of the material supporting the theory, on the grounds that the basic principle of NPOV is that all significant POVs are described, and that in the context of this article the POV in support of the theory is a significant POV; also that a criminal pathologist at a university is someone I would consider an expert on this. I think it's good to present a POV from a university, not only from police forces, to get a broader range of views. It would be helpful to find refs of university profs opposing the theory, if there are any such; if not, I don't see how it's undue weight to briefly mention the one university prof (or expert who is not from a police department) in the field who has commented. If a very large number of profs have expressed opinions opposing the theory then an undue weight argument can be made to exclude Gilbertson. |
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:As a compromise, I suggest a very brief mention, and toning it down with words such as "although", to reduce its weight, but including footnotes to the references so that interested readers can find more information. I suggest adding it to the beginning of the second paragraph of the Reception section, like this: ''"Although the theory has received support from a criminal pathologist and by evidence of indoor fly larvae on one of the corpses, criminal profiler Pat Brown calls the serial killer theory "ludicrous", ..."'' (with appropriate ref tags added). [[User:Coppertwig|Coppertwig]] ([[User talk:Coppertwig|talk]]) 17:06, 29 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::That phrasing would not work as it suggests that one body maybe possibly being murder (or death by natural causes that ended up in a river later, or other scenarios) means it supports the idea that all of these countless drowning victims were murdered by the same guy, which is silly. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 19:44, 29 September 2009 (UTC) |
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:::We write articles about silly theories, if they are notable. '''[[User:DGG| DGG]]''' ([[User talk:DGG| talk ]]) 02:55, 30 September 2009 (UTC) |
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::::Yes, we do write articles about silly theories. Of course. That's why the is article is here. That's not the issue (unless you are replying to someone ridiculous argument above made by people that unless we give more info on the theory it must be deleted.) But the suggested wording in question says that fly eggs on a single corpse somehow supports the theory, which is not just describing the theory but actively endorsing the claim of the theory. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 15:40, 1 October 2009 (UTC) |
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::::I agree that it is a silly theory, and deplore the ownership of this article displayed by DreamGuy. Lots of young men have consumed excess alcohol and drowned in bodies of water, for the past several millenia. A few of the drownings may have been homicide rather than accident, and there may have been smiley face graffiti somewhere in the vicinity in the last 3.5 decades. But some kooky theories are notable due to significant coverage in multiple reliable and independent sources, These sources may not be excluded from being presented in the article due to DreamGuy's good-faith but mistaken notion of "undue weight." [[User:Edison|Edison]] ([[User talk:Edison|talk]]) 05:30, 30 September 2009 (UTC) |
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:::::And I deplore an editor coming here based upon outright deceptive comments placed on ANI page and making highly aggressive but false claims because he/she hasn't bbothered to l ook into it more than what the original deceptive complaint said. The people with ownership problems are the ones saying the article has to advance the theory and not taking other people telling them they can't into account. I am not saying kooky theories can't be covered at all (and y9o'd know that if you read what I said), what I am saying is that [[WP:UNDUEWEIGHT]] (and if you'd read it, you'd know this too) cannot give more space to fringe theories than to the leading expert opinions. We can give more info on the kooky theories, but in order to do that w would first need to expand the mainstream experts views with more details, more sources, etc. The people demanding the article be changed aren't interested in that at all, only in advancing the fringe theory at the expense of the mainstream, expert view. That's a clear violation of multiple policies. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 15:40, 1 October 2009 (UTC) |
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::::::And if you read our comments, you'd know that the addition of Gilbertson is not slanting the article in favor of the theory. It is only showing that other support exists. And if you read UNDUE, then you'd know that it only says that you have to make it known that the minority view is in fact only the minority. It gives no guidelines for the content ratio of minority/majority as long as the majority view is clearly marked. [[User:Angryapathy|Angryapathy]] ([[User talk:Angryapathy|talk]]) 15:53, 1 October 2009 (UTC) |
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:::::::Seriously, have you even read UNDUE? It's not just that things are clearly marked, it's that content cannot be misleading, and stacking up supporters of one side being mentioned and space being given is EXTREMELY misleading. I don't know how anyone can even get UNDUE at all without knowing that. And [[WP:FRINGE]] spells it out as well. And by reading your comments I don't find out what's real, I only find your opinions on it, so ''"if you read our comments, you'd know that..."'' is just nonsense. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 16:14, 1 October 2009 (UTC) |
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::::::::And I find your opinions on your interpretation of UNDUE to be nonsense, also. So at least we have something in common here. [[User:Angryapathy|Angryapathy]] ([[User talk:Angryapathy|talk]]) 16:19, 1 October 2009 (UTC) |
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:::::::::It's not an interpretation, it's what it actually says in unambiguous wording. I posted it below on this very page for you, since it's clear you never read the actual policy page. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 16:46, 1 October 2009 (UTC) |
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::::::::::It uses subjective language so it is, by deffinition, an interpretation. It uses words like "fairly", "significant", "in proportion". How significant? In what proportion? Fair to whom? How can you possibly say these are unambiguous? Statements like that make me think you are being intentionally obtuse. You can't honestly think phrases like "much more extensive" are concrete. Heck they're not even grammatically correct. [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 17:28, 1 October 2009 (UTC) |
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== Examiner.com is not a reliable source == |
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I removed a link to a page on Examiner.com being used as a reference. That site does not meet [[WP:RS]] standards, and has been extensively discussed on the Reliable Sources Noticeboard. People who write for Examiner.com are just people off the street blogging things. Examiner.com has no direct editorial oversight. While a small number of people there might be reliable sources on their own, they'd have to have some outside qualifications to prove it. The article in question is by someone calling themselves an "Education Examiner" so were only approved to write about school topics and so forth, so even if she were a reliable source on that, there's no way she is a reliable source for this particular topic. |
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And, honestly, I'm surprised anyone looking at it would think it qualified. The person very clearly just aped the content of this Wikipedia article and shows no indication of knowing anything about the topic beyond what she read here. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 19:56, 29 September 2009 (UTC) |
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== Undue Weight == |
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For those who haven't read the [[WP:UNDUEWEIGHT|actual policy]], here are the parts of it that a couple of editors above tried to claim do not exist: |
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:''"Neutrality requires that the article should fairly represent all significant viewpoints that have been published by a reliable source, and '''should do so in proportion to the prominence of each'''."'' |
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That was the first sentence. People claiming that undue weight says nothing about how often things are mentioned apparently didn't even read the first sentence of the applicable policy. |
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:''"Other minority views may require much more extensive description of the majority view in order to avoid misleading the reader. [[Wikipedia:Fringe theories]] and the [[Wikipedia:NPOV/FAQ|NPOV F.A.Q.]] provide additional advice on these points."'' |
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And [[WP:FRINGE]] is pretty clear on this. |
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Also: |
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:''"Wikipedia should not present a dispute as if a view held by a small minority deserved as much attention overall as the majority view."'' |
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That directly contradicts several arguments above. |
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:''"Wikipedia aims to present competing views in proportion to their representation in reliable sources on the subject. This applies not only to article text, but to images, wikilinks, external links, categories, and all other material as well."'' |
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An editor above claimed that undue weight had nothing to do with proportions and that anyone who read it would know that. So, did he just not read it and was bluffing, or did he skim it and miss the entire point, or what? |
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This is all pretty basic stuff. Again, all it takes is for someone to actually read it to know this is in there. But because some editors kept insisting it said the exact opposite of what it really says, I decided I had to quote it here. I would hope the editors in question would stop misrepresenting what policy says, especially now that it's right here and can't be denied. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 16:43, 1 October 2009 (UTC) |
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:Thank you for proving the point we've been saying all along. If this article was called "The Various Theories of a bunch of dead guys", then yes, the Smiley Face theory would be minor, and agreeably, the mention it has would be more than appropriate. However, this article is called "Smiley face murder theory". Therefore, it's about one specific theory, and therefore does not qualify under [[WP:FRINGE]], and must have sufficient weight ''behind'' the posit of the theory, which include one single damned backer who was on international TV and is an expert in their field. Thank you for solidifying the point. ([[User talk:Bwilkins|<font style="font-variant:small-caps">talk→</font>]]<span style="border:1px solid black;">''' [[User:Bwilkins|BWilkins]] '''</span>[[Special:Contributions/Bwilkins|<font style="font-variant:small-caps">←track</font>]]) 17:09, 1 October 2009 (UTC) |
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::Wow, talk about completely missing the point of policy. The name of the page does not mean that we can ignore NPOV policy and write it to give undue weight in favor of the theory. I'd say you have major reading comprehension problems, but, again, it seems like you don't even bother to read in the first place based upon just how dramatically what you claim things say differ from what they really say. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 01:33, 2 October 2009 (UTC) |
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:OK, again I am forced to ask you to bold a number in all that noise. Your first statement is to call out the first sentence in WP:UNDUE and say that mentions how often. Fine, then you can point out the number of times it says. Or maybe the proportion of major:minor we should have. You maintain that the policy is clear cut, fine. Show us the clarity. Is 40:1 enough? what about 41:1? 42:1? Where does that policy get clear? |
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:Also, please point out the arguments that the minority view overwhelm the majority view. I've been here since this thing started and I don't remember anyone forwarding that opinion. (That hasn't stopped you from ''claiming'' someone forwarded that opinion but that's a different question). |
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:No one is saying it says the opposite. We are saying we don't agree with you. Why are you allowed to disagree with us and we're "kooky" but if we disagree with you we are saying policies are the opposite of what they say? There are currently '''NO''' supporting statements in the article. So, by your representation of the policy you are holding to the assertion that there are '''NO''' supporters of this theory, right? Well, this is demonstrably false. And since it is demonstrably false that should be reflected in the article. [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 17:21, 1 October 2009 (UTC) |
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Dreamguy's quotations would be applicable if we were discussiing adding the Smiley Face Murders to the [[Serial Killers]] article. In fact we are writing an article that is about a minority view, and about a fringe theory. The article is in fact titled, "The Smiley face Murder Theory". And he conveniently left out one part of UNDUE: |
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"In articles specifically about a minority viewpoint, the views may receive more attention and space. However, such pages should make appropriate reference to the majority viewpoint wherever relevant, and must not reflect an attempt to rewrite content strictly from the perspective of the minority view." |
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Let's dissect this: |
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:'''In articles specifically about a minority viewpoint, the views may receive more attention and space''' |
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This article is about the minority viewpoint. Can't even argue that point. I guess that whole "more attention and space" part is confusing. Wait, it's not. |
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:'''However, such pages should make appropriate reference to the majority viewpoint wherever relevant, and must not reflect an attempt to rewrite content strictly from the perspective of the minority view.''' |
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This article strongly shows that all reputable law enforcement agencies reject the theory. And the article is not written from the perspective of the minority view. All we are doing is showing that someone, besides the two non-notable private investigators, support the theory. The article still implicitly states that the theory is not accepted, even with the addition of Gilbertson. I fail to see how mentioning that the theory has support from an academic slants the article '''so much''' that the reader will suddenly think, "Oh my God, there's a serial killer on the loose! Lock the doors!" |
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The issue is that this article shows no support for the theory itself. We have a reputable adherent from a reputable source (I'm still waiting on your sources say that Gilbertson is in fact a hack professor trying to gain money for his private investigative firm, BTW, and that Larry King is not a reliable source) that shows that this theory is worthy of being on WP. [[User:Angryapathy|Angryapathy]] ([[User talk:Angryapathy|talk]]) 18:02, 1 October 2009 (UTC) |
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:The claim ''"this article shows no support for the theory itself"'' is bizarre. It is both wrong -- we show that some detectives believe it and what they say, without going into excessive detail -- and irrelevant anyway. Wikipedia articles are not about showing "support". Things and still be without support and still be notable enough for an article. But we mention what the theory is and who came up with it, which is showing the support. We're not here to make a detailed list of everyone who supports it, as that would be misleading without an equally comprehensive list of everyone who doesn't support it. On top of that it serves no encyclopedic purpose whatsoever. It is free of any meaningful content while at the same time slanting people's views. As I've said, if you want to expand the list of supporters of one side you also have to expand the other side. If you do, then adding this would not be undue weight. But -- surprise, surprise -- you guys are only interested in increasing the "support" for one side. If you're here to increase support that's about as blatant of a NPOV violation as one could have. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 01:33, 2 October 2009 (UTC) |
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::"We're not here to make a detailed list of everyone who supports it" |
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::We're not making a detailed list of everyone who supports it. We are listing adherents from each side which can be sourced reliably. This includes the detectives, Gilbertson, congressman, the FBI, the police departments, and criminal profilers. As this is an article about a minority view, as is explicitly stated in WP:UNDUE, we are allowed to give more attention to the theory, provided the article states that the view is in the minority. Here's a compromise: if we add the bit about Gilbertson, then we add a statement like, "No law enforcement agency believes that the drownings are linked in any way." That sums up the majority view, and lets the reader know that the theory is, in fact, a minority view. [[User:Angryapathy|Angryapathy]] ([[User talk:Angryapathy|talk]]) 03:13, 2 October 2009 (UTC) |
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:::I would just like to note that consensus does seem to be swinging toward inclusion. I believe that inclusion results in an article which respects policies like undue, neutrality, fringe etc better than exclusion. Editing an article to increase support for one side is not a blatant NPOV violation if one presents or supports rational arguments that that is what is necessary for neutrality, indeed it is frequently called "neutralization".[[User:John Z|John Z]] ([[User talk:John Z|talk]]) 06:49, 2 October 2009 (UTC) |
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== Dreamguy's Consensus == |
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According to Dreamguy, we can achieve consensus, even with differing opinions, as long as it suits his views. But no consensus can be reached if he is on the other side of the argument. You know, I'd respect his opinions more if he could at least be consistent (he claimed that Gilbertson could not be added because there was consensus against it. Then, after showing evidence aginst his claim, he said we can't add it because there is "no consensus" to add it.) Or responded to points brought up that defeat his argument (we are '''still''' waiting for him to show an independant source to support his claims that Gilbertson isn't a reliable source). How do you work with an editor that refuses to make compromises or acknowledge the other editor's arguments? [[User:Angryapathy|Angryapathy]] ([[User talk:Angryapathy|talk]]) 16:51, 2 October 2009 (UTC) |
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:You suggest mediation. Like this... [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 17:42, 2 October 2009 (UTC) |
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:Angryapathy, you're not going to get anywhere by merely making personal attacks and completely false accusations. Start acting in good faith and then maybe we'll get somewhere. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 17:58, 2 October 2009 (UTC) |
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::I am just summing up what has happened. You have in fact waffled on where the consensus lay, and in both cases, each supported your opinion. You have also avoided discussing subjects when your point was disproven. And you have failed to make any attempts at compromise. If stating the truth is an attack, then I am an assailant of truth. [[User:Angryapathy|Angryapathy]] ([[User talk:Angryapathy|talk]]) 18:03, 2 October 2009 (UTC) |
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::Your supposed summary bears no resemblence to what actually happened here, so you're either outright lying at this point or are just blinded by stubbornness. Neither is an excuse for the personal attacks. [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 18:49, 2 October 2009 (UTC) |
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:::"You are lying or being blinded by stubbornness." Wow. Such a classy way to tell someone to avoid personal attacks. Pot, meet kettle! [[User:Angryapathy|Angryapathy]] ([[User talk:Angryapathy|talk]]) 19:07, 2 October 2009 (UTC) |
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== Request for Mediation == |
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DreamGuy, your actions regarding this page are becoming inexcusable. We've been doing this for two months now, we need to get past it. Would you be willing to submit to mediation? I, for my part, have no problem with it. Please let me know so we can proceed. [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 17:42, 2 October 2009 (UTC) |
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:I was hoping to avoid that, because in the scope of this project, the addition of one source to support a theory seems minor. But otherwise, we are at an atter standstill. I support mediation, since maybe it will get somewhere. [[User:Angryapathy|Angryapathy]] ([[User talk:Angryapathy|talk]]) 18:04, 2 October 2009 (UTC) |
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:As already pointed out yesterday, mediation only works if all sides are acting in good faith, and at this time we have no reason to believe you and your two compatriots are making any attempt to do so. You are leaving balatantly deceptive comments, making nonstop personal attacks, and ignoring clear policies. On top of that, the only thing you seem to care about, and the one you offer up as a supposed "compromise," is the very thing multiple editors have clearly said violates our policies. You have been offered suggestions several times on how you might progress toward changes that would actually follow policies, but instead you pretend that nobody has done anything. That's bad faith, and how could anyone expect you to do anything but continue the same distortions in mediation until you demonstrate a willingness to start following Wikipedia's standards for civility and good faith? [[User:DreamGuy|DreamGuy]] ([[User talk:DreamGuy|talk]]) 18:52, 2 October 2009 (UTC) |
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::Are these accusations about us, or about yourself? Because you are doing everything you accuse us of. [[User:Angryapathy|Angryapathy]] ([[User talk:Angryapathy|talk]]) 19:04, 2 October 2009 (UTC) |
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::Could you please provide diffs? If I have acted as horrifically as you are presenting here than I would like to see it and adjust myself and apologize accordingly. Any diffs that can illuminate the type of attitude you describe above would be a great help. [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 19:07, 2 October 2009 (UTC) |
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::: The edit summary for [http://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Smiley_face_murder_theory&curid=17564955&diff=317586839&oldid=317533389 this diff] makes it quite clear: the policy arguments have been shot down, so DG is now merely discounting the qualifications of those who have a POV he doesn't like. I'm sorry to say that DG has now escalated the disruption, which is unfortunate. ([[User talk:Bwilkins|<font style="font-variant:small-caps">talk→</font>]]<span style="border:1px solid black;">''' [[User:Bwilkins|BWilkins]] '''</span>[[Special:Contributions/Bwilkins|<font style="font-variant:small-caps">←track</font>]]) 11:00, 3 October 2009 (UTC) |
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::::Of course nobody should engage in personal criticism. I believe everyone is acting in good faith. But as I said in the edit before that diff, it does seem clear that consensus has changed to favor inclusion. The RfC had Angryapathy, Padillah, Cla86, Simonm223, and Bwilkins for inclusion and Dreamguy, Richard, 2/0, and Croatalus against. CrohnieGal supported inclusion later. Thomas Paine1776 supported inclusion, but seems to be suspected of sockpuppeting - but he is in good standing apparently and AFAIK is not suspected of being the same as anyone else on this list. The recent uninvolved editors, myself, Edison and Coppertwig all support, and DGG (here)and Elen of the Roads (at ANI) may support inclusion too. So there are at least 9 for and only 4 against. My opinion is that our policies, taken together, clearly indicate inclusion, that the article will then be more neutral and respect [[WP:FRINGE]] and [[WP:UNDUE]] better than it would without it. The addition proposed seems very small to me, and could hardly be more inoffensive. One sentence about one independent reliable source in support. It is important to include for neutrality because there is a great deal of difference between one and none, and exclusion gives a false and misleading picture of the reception of the theory. It is possible to give undue weight to majority theories. And the consensus, particularly of those recently editing the article itself, favors inclusion.[[User:John Z|John Z]] ([[User talk:John Z|talk]]) 12:35, 3 October 2009 (UTC) |
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::::: Well said John Z. As I have said before, this article itself means little to me, other than proper application of policy - I'm a newcomer to it as well. As much as it's a not-vote, it appears that the extra eyes on the policy issues have been beneficial to the article. ([[User talk:Bwilkins|<font style="font-variant:small-caps">talk→</font>]]<span style="border:1px solid black;">''' [[User:Bwilkins|BWilkins]] '''</span>[[Special:Contributions/Bwilkins|<font style="font-variant:small-caps">←track</font>]]) 15:24, 3 October 2009 (UTC) |
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Agree that consensus supports inclusion of the information. The information from the CNN program is legitimate, notable, and is presented in the article in a neutral way [http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0903/26/lkl.01.html]. Its not offensive in any way. The CNN program is a recent and responsible presentation of the topic and should be included. Gilbertson's view that the drownings do not match the statistical pattern of accidental drownings is a significant element of the theory. Gilbertson is qualified to make the statement and he's been cited as a qualified source by major networks on this topic. Mentioning Gilbertson's view in support of the theory is not undue weight according to wikipedia policy which states, ''"In articles specifically about a minority viewpoint, the views may receive more attention and space"'' [[WP:UNDUEWEIGHT]]. Thanks for the input. [[User:Thomas Paine1776|Thomas Paine1776]] ([[User talk:Thomas Paine1776|talk]]) 15:47, 4 October 2009 (UTC) |
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== ANOTHER CAUSE FOR SUDDEN DISAPPEARANCE AND DEATH == |
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I read the argument here on this page and can't understand why it exists. I suggest that the project be discarded and started over. |
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''There is no evidence for the theory of a Smiley Face serial killer or gang of them. |
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'' |
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I cannot find a way to decide the issue. It does not matter what experts think. Only a fair statement of the news reporting is possible. |
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In a very few of the sudden drowning deaths of college students there is circumstantial evidence of psychotic paranoia. In one instance the dead student phoned a relative telling them he was being chased. Police followed his running footsteps down the river bank and across the ice to open water where he drowned. His trail in the snow on the river ice show he was alone. This suggests that a mental event is to blame for that death. |
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--Section editted. Please do not use talk pages for advertising.-- |
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Ask yourself why most of these deaths are college students? |
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[[User:Researcher44|Researcher44]] ([[User talk:Researcher44|talk]]) 04:02, 29 November 2009 (UTC) |
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:Researcher44, it's not Wikipedia's place to ask ourselves anything. That's called Original Research and it's not allowed here. We can only publish what we can verify in other sources. [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 16:59, 9 December 2009 (UTC) |
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== Gannon and Duarte's Investigation == |
== Gannon and Duarte's Investigation == |
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While the majority of these cases are believed by local authorities to be the result of accidental drownings |
While the majority of these cases are believed by local authorities to be the result of accidental drownings |
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No where in the sources does it say what the majority of local law enforcement officials believe. Only a few local law enforcement officials commented on the theory. |
No where in the sources does it say what the majority of local law enforcement officials believe. Only a few local law enforcement officials commented on the theory. |
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--[[User:Yankee2009|Yankee2009]] ([[User talk:Yankee2009|talk]]) 21:42, 11 February 2010 (UTC) |
--[[User:Yankee2009|Yankee2009]] ([[User talk:Yankee2009|talk]]) 21:42, 11 February 2010 (UTC) |
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:There are actually several more serious contradictions and proven incorrect facts about serial killer psychology being made here... in fact, the crimes of [[Harold Shipman]] firmly disprove many of the points Brown argues- Shipman managed to claim hundreds of lives due to how he picked a method of execution that did not look suspicious to law enforcement, so, indeed, it would make sense that a serial killer would specifically take a thrill in being able to target healthy young males and having the authorities write the death off as accidental drowning, with a signature anonymous enough to avoid suspicion. It's also not impossible that the times of death of the overlapping victims could be wrong... depending on the temperature and chemical contaminants of the water, rigor mortis and rate of decay could be thrown off significantly enough to account for mortician's oversight, and open a window large enough for anyone with access to a vehicle and a GPS to find large bodies of water and quick routes to travel to. It's not unreasonable to think that a killer could evolve after deriving sadistic satisfaction from getting away with murder after accidentally pushing a drunk former friend or enemy into water and having the police classify their death as an accident. In fact the additional postmortem humiliation of the victim, having them being labelled as a "drunken idiot" and the resulting agony of the family members... not to mention misandry as a possible motivating factor as well... in fact it would make a lot of sense if the killer is a female "black widow" type with a deep-seated hatred of men, it would certainly explain how nobody notices several dozen partially inebriated college kids leaving if they're being escorted out of a party... (Statistically rare, but would explain the lack of detection) I'm not saying that's actually what's going on, but it's not nearly as implausible or fringe as this article makes it out to be. [[Special:Contributions/216.121.240.209|216.121.240.209]] ([[User talk:216.121.240.209|talk]]) 00:58, 9 October 2015 (UTC) |
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I tell the truth the most on this discussion page and yet am confronted by the most falsehoods. when were you editors ever concerned about accuracy? Pat Brown never said a serial killer theory was ludicrous and you danced right around that point.She said Gannons theory was. Yet the article reads that way. Yet you blabber on about an unverifiable fact.You have had absolutely no constructive comments to make .You are a crackpot and this is a crackpot site. Even the crackpot sites try to give the whole story and let people decide for themselves so this is worse then any crackpot site I am aware of. |
I tell the truth the most on this discussion page and yet am confronted by the most falsehoods. when were you editors ever concerned about accuracy? Pat Brown never said a serial killer theory was ludicrous and you danced right around that point.She said Gannons theory was. Yet the article reads that way. Yet you blabber on about an unverifiable fact.You have had absolutely no constructive comments to make .You are a crackpot and this is a crackpot site. Even the crackpot sites try to give the whole story and let people decide for themselves so this is worse then any crackpot site I am aware of. |
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:Oh, that's the name of the law enforcement agency investigating these so-called murders? Oh, wait, you again failed to mention any professional law enforcement agency that takes this theory seriously. I think that makes this...a fringe theory. Thanks again! [[User:Angryapathy|Angryapathy]] ([[User talk:Angryapathy|talk]]) 16:03, 12 February 2010 (UTC) |
:Oh, that's the name of the law enforcement agency investigating these so-called murders? Oh, wait, you again failed to mention any professional law enforcement agency that takes this theory seriously. I think that makes this...a fringe theory. Thanks again! [[User:Angryapathy|Angryapathy]] ([[User talk:Angryapathy|talk]]) 16:03, 12 February 2010 (UTC) |
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Call all the police departments.. Then you can tell them they did no work looking into if other drownings were related with other law enforcement agencies.I am sure they will appreciate you accusing them of not doing this and just brushing drownings off as unrelated accidents. I am not your secretary or personal slave. You made the claim. --[[Special:Contributions/68.114.135.200|68.114.135.200]] ([[User talk:68.114.135.200|talk]]) 16:16, 12 February 2010 (UTC) |
Call all the police departments.. Then you can tell them they did no work looking into if other drownings were related with other law enforcement agencies.I am sure they will appreciate you accusing them of not doing this and just brushing drownings off as unrelated accidents. I am not your secretary or personal slave. You made the claim. --[[Special:Contributions/68.114.135.200|68.114.135.200]] ([[User talk:68.114.135.200|talk]]) 16:16, 12 February 2010 (UTC) |
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Why do you make claims and then expect others to prove your claims are not true? There were LE agencies looking into this and as a matter of fact I do know which . You insinuated I did not because you are dishonest. It is not my job to prove something you don't believe to be false.You were explained this over and over again but you are rude and stupid it does not sink in. I do not enjoy calling people names but when it is true I will. I would rather get along. You are another stuck up person that acts like you are above it all as you are a snob.I realize the snobs such as yourself dominate this site and thats what I have to deal with to be here. You can never admit when you are wrong and just keep escalating the situation.Fortunately for the site i went away from your idiotic rants and all the harrassment from people like yourself. Wikipedia is that much less accurate without me. It is a shame you act like you know more about a subject than I do. IF that is the case I would be glad to quiz you any time to see what you really do know. You act like you are better than me. |
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Who are all the police agencies brushing them off as unrelated accidents? Go ahead name all of them.Oh wait. You don't know anything.You are here wasting hard drive space |
Who are all the police agencies brushing them off as unrelated accidents? Go ahead name all of them.Oh wait. You don't know anything.You are here wasting hard drive space |
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--[[User:Yankee2009|Yankee2009]] ([[User talk:Yankee2009|talk]]) 16:25, 12 February 2010 (UTC) |
--[[User:Yankee2009|Yankee2009]] ([[User talk:Yankee2009|talk]]) 16:25, 12 February 2010 (UTC) |
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Thanks again for the names of the people taking this seriously, since if a group of noted people or the majority would support the theory, it would not be a fringe theory. Otherwise, it is a minority view, and hence a fringe theory. It's simple. |
Thanks again for the names of the people taking this seriously, since if a group of noted people or the majority would support the theory, it would not be a fringe theory. Otherwise, it is a minority view, and hence a fringe theory. It's simple. |
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Oh, it is hilarious that you end everything with, "You are wasting hard drive space." It's like goodbye, but sillier! [[User:Angryapathy|Angryapathy]] ([[User talk:Angryapathy|talk]]) 17:10, 12 February 2010 (UTC) |
Oh, it is hilarious that you end everything with, "You are wasting hard drive space." It's like goodbye, but sillier! [[User:Angryapathy|Angryapathy]] ([[User talk:Angryapathy|talk]]) 17:10, 12 February 2010 (UTC) |
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feel free to delete this evidence of who the troll really is. Copied from article. |
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"When they went down into the area where we thought he went into the water, they noticed the graffiti and they noticed this smiley face painted on the wall," said Willoughby. |
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It's a smiley face with a crown on its head. |
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It's on the wall of the bar under the party deck, just 30 feet from the creek. |
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Detective Willoughby called Tommy's mom who had also seen the news report. |
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"When he told me about the smiley face, it just gave me chills," she said. |
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The New York detectives believe there's more than one killer, perhaps a gang, since all of the smiley faces are painted differently. |
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Detective Willoughby has sent them pictures of the smiley face found near Ridley Creek. |
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He also contacted the FBI, even though they've looked at the other cases and dismissed the possibility of a link. <span style="font-size: smaller;" class="autosigned">— Preceding [[Wikipedia:Signatures|unsigned]] comment added by [[Special:Contributions/68.114.132.7|68.114.132.7]] ([[User talk:68.114.132.7|talk]]) 15:16, 23 May 2012 (UTC)</span><!-- Template:Unsigned IP --> <!--Autosigned by SineBot--> |
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If you do not like the policies of Wikipedia and the opinions of other editors, you are welcome to take your views elsewhere. Wikipedia is not the only place for information on the web. Complaining that you don't like the policies and consensus serves no purpose. You can choose to abide by the guidelines and policies of Wikipedia, or you can choose to try and publish the views elsewhere. Please read [[WP:CIVIL]] and especially [[WP:VERIFY]] if you wish to continue editing here. [[User:Angryapathy|Angryapathy]] ([[User talk:Angryapathy|talk]]) 03:56, 24 February 2010 (UTC) |
If you do not like the policies of Wikipedia and the opinions of other editors, you are welcome to take your views elsewhere. Wikipedia is not the only place for information on the web. Complaining that you don't like the policies and consensus serves no purpose. You can choose to abide by the guidelines and policies of Wikipedia, or you can choose to try and publish the views elsewhere. Please read [[WP:CIVIL]] and especially [[WP:VERIFY]] if you wish to continue editing here. [[User:Angryapathy|Angryapathy]] ([[User talk:Angryapathy|talk]]) 03:56, 24 February 2010 (UTC) |
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I have proved every allegation false made by a hostile editor <span style="font-size: smaller;" class="autosigned">— Preceding [[Wikipedia:Signatures|unsigned]] comment added by [[Special:Contributions/68.114.132.7|68.114.132.7]] ([[User talk:68.114.132.7|talk]]) 15:18, 23 May 2012 (UTC)</span><!-- Template:Unsigned IP --> <!--Autosigned by SineBot--> |
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== Suggest Possible Inclusion Of Sexual Assault Accusations Against Det. Kevin Gannon == |
== Suggest Possible Inclusion Of Sexual Assault Accusations Against Det. Kevin Gannon == |
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[[User:BoyintheMachine|BoyintheMachine]] ([[User talk:BoyintheMachine|talk]]) 19:00, 7 March 2010 (UTC) |
[[User:BoyintheMachine|BoyintheMachine]] ([[User talk:BoyintheMachine|talk]]) 19:00, 7 March 2010 (UTC) |
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: Sure does not pertain to the case. ([[User talk:Bwilkins|< |
: Sure does not pertain to the case. ([[User talk:Bwilkins|<span style="font-variant:small-caps;">talk→</span>]]<span style="border:1px solid black;">''' [[User:Bwilkins|BWilkins]] '''</span>[[Special:Contributions/Bwilkins|<span style="font-variant:small-caps;">←track</span>]]) 20:13, 7 March 2010 (UTC) |
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It most certainly does and could go under a "controversy" sub-header, as the accusations were levelled during Gannon's involvement in the search for Dan Zamlen, with the understanding that Zamlen was possibly a victim of the "smiley face killers". [[User:BoyintheMachine|BoyintheMachine]] ([[User talk:BoyintheMachine|talk]]) 04:13, 8 March 2010 (UTC) |
It most certainly does and could go under a "controversy" sub-header, as the accusations were levelled during Gannon's involvement in the search for Dan Zamlen, with the understanding that Zamlen was possibly a victim of the "smiley face killers". [[User:BoyintheMachine|BoyintheMachine]] ([[User talk:BoyintheMachine|talk]]) 04:13, 8 March 2010 (UTC) |
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:: If you want to create an article about Gannon, and find further [[WP:RS]] to support this claim, then it goes there. Otherwise, it's merely an attempt to discredit someone who put forth a theory - and this article is about the theory, not the person. Plus, with the "innocent until proven guilty" concept, an allegation that prosecutors will not follow up on further is certainly [[WP:UNDUE]] weight. ([[User talk:Bwilkins|< |
:: If you want to create an article about Gannon, and find further [[WP:RS]] to support this claim, then it goes there. Otherwise, it's merely an attempt to discredit someone who put forth a theory - and this article is about the theory, not the person. Plus, with the "innocent until proven guilty" concept, an allegation that prosecutors will not follow up on further is certainly [[WP:UNDUE]] weight. ([[User talk:Bwilkins|<span style="font-variant:small-caps;">talk→</span>]]<span style="border:1px solid black;">''' [[User:Bwilkins|BWilkins]] '''</span>[[Special:Contributions/Bwilkins|<span style="font-variant:small-caps;">←track</span>]]) 10:22, 8 March 2010 (UTC) |
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:::I agree. That information belongs in an article about Gannon, not this one. [[User:Angryapathy|Angryapathy]] ([[User talk:Angryapathy|talk]]) 15:10, 8 March 2010 (UTC) |
:::I agree. That information belongs in an article about Gannon, not this one. [[User:Angryapathy|Angryapathy]] ([[User talk:Angryapathy|talk]]) 15:10, 8 March 2010 (UTC) |
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:Sounds like a good idea to rework the article, especially with the very thorough article written by Rosario. [[User:Angryapathy|Angryapathy]] ([[User talk:Angryapathy|talk]]) 14:10, 10 March 2010 (UTC) |
:Sounds like a good idea to rework the article, especially with the very thorough article written by Rosario. [[User:Angryapathy|Angryapathy]] ([[User talk:Angryapathy|talk]]) 14:10, 10 March 2010 (UTC) |
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:Agreed, the Rosario article is just what we need to fuel a decent rewrite of this and put some proper perspective on it. Getting those updated quotes into the article can only make the point clearer. [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 17:40, 10 March 2010 (UTC) |
:Agreed, the Rosario article is just what we need to fuel a decent rewrite of this and put some proper perspective on it. Getting those updated quotes into the article can only make the point clearer. [[User:Padillah|Padillah]] ([[User talk:Padillah|talk]]) 17:40, 10 March 2010 (UTC) |
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== Theory not explained very well and doubts of credibility of Gannon need to be added == |
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The article should show better how the theory came about. |
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Gannon became suspicious a serial killer may be at work when there was three drowning victims in a 15 month period. Larry Andrews, Patrick McNeil and Joshua Bender ,according to the NY Times, were “white males, between 19 and 22 years old, medium build, clean cut, from stable backgrounds. Two were college students. Three were said to be found floating in city waterways with no apparent signs of trauma. The cause of death was ruled drowning, but how each entered the water has not been determined. A fourth young man, Peter Caraguilo, was also found in a subway tunnel during this same period, with a fractured skull. According to the chief medical examiner on Patrick McNeil’s autopsy report there were lines on his neck and eggs in the groin area. Gannon believes the lines are ligature marks from being choked to death. DR . Cyril Wecht , a Forensic pathologist claimed an indoor fly layed the eggs so the body was already dead before it was placed in the water. |
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Then |
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A MIDWEST CONNECTION? |
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Rumors of a serial killer along Interstate 94 spread after six college-aged men vanished in the midwest starting late in 2002 and in less than a 3 month period of time. Most while walking home alone late at night after drinking at parties or bars. One of them was Chris Jenkins in Minneapolis whose death was reclassified from accidental to homicide when it was discovered that he was clutching his own hair in his hand. The Jenkins family waited 4 years for law enforcement to do a DNA test on Chris Jenkin’s hair. Many people in LaCrosse ,Wisconsin also believe there may be a serial killer at work. Some are suspicious because the victims were a similar profile, the drownings are often in clusters and items belonging to victims were found near the same indian statue in the park in Lacrosse. Detective Gannon has claimed that most of the LaCrosse ,Wisconsin victims left one of the same 2 bars before they were a victim. |
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The article gives the impression that Gannon believes the smiley faces are evidence. |
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THE START OF THE SMILEY FACE MURDER THEORY |
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According to Kristi Piehl the reporter that broke the story, a prison inmate claimed the smiley faces were being left as a signature of the killers. The prison inmate was reported to have gave information about the Chris Jenkin’s case that was not made public. He is reported to have claimed an organization called the Dealers of Death are involved and that he threw Chris Jenkin’s off a bridge. Though no one doubts the inmate may have murdered more than once , he is not believed to be credible by many because he has changed his story and some believe he is not big or strong enough to have thrown Chris Jenkin’s off a bridge. Detective Gannon has said the smiley faces themselves are not evidence of serial killers. They have said they found 13 distinct markers and that they think it validates a connection. |
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More of Pat Brown's comments would be good,but she said some of this on Blog Talk Radio. Maybe there is someone else that mentions a book deal and there is a source?? |
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Something fishy about their story. What made them suddenly decide the midwest drownings could be connected to east coast drownings? Are these people even credible? |
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Smiley face Killer Theory Losing Steam |
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Much of the theory has been debunked. The smiley faces are not that similar,though many of them have horns. There is no criteria for specifying the distance from the victim or time the grafitti appears.There is also no evidence of trauma with most victims. |
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The detectives also have not helped their theory any by making an announcement that they would reveal the suspects on FOX TV and then not do so. It was compared to the program when Geraldo opened Al Capone’s vault and found nothing in it. Part of their theory is that the profiles of the young men are too similar. This has been debunked because accidental drowning victims often fit similar profiles. |
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Bill Szostak, a retired New York firefighter and arson investigator whose son died in Albany, N.Y., was the blunt about his dissatisfaction. |
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“I feel Kevin is like a sponge – he latches onto the families, sucks the life out of them, and when he has nothing else to suck, he dumps them,” said Szostak, who said he doesn’t remember one conversation he had with the ex-cop in which Gannon didn’t mention needing money to continue to investigate the deaths. |
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Another critic is the former KSTP-TV investigative reporter who “broke” the “smiley-face killer” story in April 2008 . She says she no longer buys into Gannon’s story. <span style="font-size: smaller;" class="autosigned">—Preceding [[Wikipedia:Signatures|unsigned]] comment added by [[Special:Contributions/68.114.128.23|68.114.128.23]] ([[User talk:68.114.128.23|talk]]) 22:52, 10 December 2010 (UTC)</span><!-- Template:UnsignedIP --> <!--Autosigned by SineBot--> |
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: [[WP:RS|Sources,]] [[WP:RS|sources,]][[WP:RS|sources.]] ([[User talk:Bwilkins|<span style="font-variant:small-caps;">talk→</span>]]<span style="border:1px solid green;">''' [[User:Bwilkins|BWilkins]] '''</span>[[Special:Contributions/Bwilkins|<span style="font-variant:small-caps;">←track</span>]]) 10:21, 11 December 2010 (UTC) |
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== Conspiracy theory label? == |
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How in any way is this a conspiracy theory related event? I think this article was placed in the wrong category. <span style="font-size: smaller;" class="autosigned">— Preceding [[Wikipedia:Signatures|unsigned]] comment added by [[Special:Contributions/130.157.102.43|130.157.102.43]] ([[User talk:130.157.102.43|talk]]) 05:40, 11 October 2013 (UTC)</span><!-- Template:Unsigned IP --> <!--Autosigned by SineBot--> |
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== Starting over again == |
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[[User:68.114.132.7]] has been posting rcently regarding this article. Since some of this user's comments seem to be getting lost in the other sections above, so I figured it would be a good idea to start a new section since previous discussions haven't been updated for about a year. |
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To [[User:68.114.132.7]], I only ask that you provide links and/or reference information for your claims. If no other editor on Wikipedia can verify the information, then it should not be added. [[User:Angryapathy|Angryapathy]] ([[User talk:Angryapathy|talk]]) 19:33, 23 May 2012 (UTC) |
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By all means start over again. Maybe this time you could even make sure comments are sourced without ignoring the ones that get into the article that you personally believe to be true. Also be more careful with the false comments and suggestions that this is comparable to the spaggetti monster or that no police agencies take this seriously. Comparing a serial killer theory to something like this is ridiculous. Healthy skepticism is a good thing and that entails questioning your own beliefs and motives and not just everyone elses. I keep seeing the outcry for sources but it is not like you read them if you agree with a statement being made. Also keep in mind it seems rude that you make a comment after ignoring sources have not always fit what was was put in the article.From what I can tell it was only making laying out some suggestions and pointing out some facts on a theory you need to be educated on before you should even be thinking about if this is a fringe theory or not. You are fighting any attempt to lay out the facts so as a reasonable decision can be made as to if this is a fringe theory and instead seem to start with the assumption this is a fringe theory and make your facts fit the beliefs you already had. You also act so above it all that you think people need all these sources even when they are not trying to add to the article and only making comments and suggestions,yet feel no need to justify your own beliefs. Your attitude is not just the attitude of someone stuck up ,it is one of people that are hypocrites. I really am doing you a favor by telling you people how messed up you are <span style="font-size: smaller;" class="autosigned">— Preceding [[Wikipedia:Signatures|unsigned]] comment added by [[Special:Contributions/184.74.153.188|184.74.153.188]] ([[User talk:184.74.153.188|talk]]) 15:15, 3 November 2012 (UTC)</span><!-- Template:Unsigned IP --> <!--Autosigned by SineBot--> |
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:Please list the sources which are being ignored. [[User:Angryapathy|Angryapathy]] ([[User talk:Angryapathy|talk]]) 16:43, 3 November 2012 (UTC) |
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::And from an uninvolved editor to the IP editor above. Please confine your comments to the actual edits and refrain from making comments about the editors. That only leads to animosity and does nothing to help create a better article. See [[WP:AGF]] and [[WP:NPA]] [[User:Gtwfan52|Gtwfan52]] ([[User talk:Gtwfan52|talk]]) 17:44, 3 November 2012 (UTC) |
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you were told a long time ago. you are not nor have ever been nuetral or even rational. If you are going to treat this and allow others to treat this as a fringe theory you need to know about the so called experts that do not support the theory. One is mentioned in this article |
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"Fox 9 Investigative Report on Ramsey County Medical Examiner's Office" |
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Originally published: 12/1/10. Updated: 9/21/12 |
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A 9-month long investigation by Fox 9 News raises serious concerns about a Minnesota medical examiner. |
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In the two-part series that aired on Nov. 22, 2010 reporter Jeff Baillion examines some of the determinations made by the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office and, in particular, by Dr. Michael McGee, the county's chief medical examiner for the past 25 years. The report by Fox 9 highlights potential errors that may have caused offenders to go free, or the innocent to be wrongfully imprisoned. |
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The attorney for one family faults McGee for not examining all the evidence in her shooting death. Mark Gherty, the attorney for the family of Jane Nuemann, says McGee reached the conclusion that her death was a suicide before examining death scene photos. The case was later sent to other experts from around the state who arrived at a different conclusion--homicide. Gherty believes her husband, Jim, got away with murder. |
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In two other cases, men were given life sentences for murder when evidence casting doubt on their guilt was never heard by the jury. Both accuse McGee of making serious errors in their cases. |
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In the summer of 1996 while on a family vacation, Thomas Rhodes, a young vice president of a business firm, was driving a boat when he claims his wife, Jane, fell overboard. He circled back and jumped in to look for her but was unable to find her in the water. Her bruised body was recovered the following day. Dr. McGee declared it a homicide, and Rhodes was indicted for her murder. During the trial, McGee presented a graphic clay model that illustrated bruising on her face and neck. Rhodes was convicted. In a bid for a new trial, two other forensic pathologists reviewed the autopsy findings. One said the bruises occurred after Mrs. Rhodes had died and that her death was an accidental drowning. Another pathologist called McGee's findings, "highly speculative and unsupported by the medical evidence." He apologized to Thomas Rhodes' parents for the mistakes of his colleague. Despite the new testimony, Rhodes was denied a new trial in 2007. He is still in prison. |
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Kent Jones was found guilty in two separate trials for the murder of Linda Jensen. Dr. McGee's findings of sexual assault and his subsequent testimony played a pivotal role in Jones' conviction. An independent review of his findings showed that Dr. McGee had miscalculated crucial test results. The miscalculation opened a 4-hour window in which another perpetrator could have killed Jensen. The timing matches an eye witness account from a mail carrier who saw a man leaving the house. The Innocence Project is working with Kent Jones to get his conviction overturned. |
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telling the truth is not an attack. get over it.You believed your own lies . <span style="font-size: smaller;" class="autosigned">— Preceding [[Wikipedia:Signatures|unsigned]] comment added by [[Special:Contributions/184.74.153.188|184.74.153.188]] ([[User talk:184.74.153.188|talk]]) 19:34, 7 November 2012 (UTC)</span><!-- Template:Unsigned IP --> <!--Autosigned by SineBot--> |
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:The source for "Fox 9 Investigative Report on Ramsey County Medical Examiner's Office" is [http://footprintsattheriversedge.blogspot.com/2010/12/fox-9-investigative-report-on-ramsey.html this], which is a page on blogspot, which means it is a blog, and has no editorial oversight. See [[WP:BLOGS]]. The page does however provide links to the FOX 9 investigation into Dr. McGee. (See [http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/video?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=7018671] and [http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/video?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=7018674]) However, the report does not mention anything about the "Smiley Face Murders". If you are implying that because a coroner allegedly made mistakes, and because of those mistakes, the ruled drownings are in fact murders, that would be a case of synthesis, which is not allowed on Wikipedia (see [[WP:Synthesis]]). If you can provide a reliable source (as per [[WP:Reliable sources]]) that explicitly states that McGee's alleged errors are inadvertantly covering up the "Smiley Face Murders," then it would be appropriate to add to a Wikipedia article. [[User:Angryapathy|Angryapathy]] ([[User talk:Angryapathy|talk]]) 21:22, 7 November 2012 (UTC) |
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== Incomplete == |
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This article is incomplete and needs to be expanded in more detail than what it currently is. The article is missing on the references and appearances to this theory and the suspected killer in popular culture which needs to be added to the article. Other details can be expanded upon as well.--[[User:Paleface Jack|Paleface Jack]] ([[User talk:Paleface Jack|talk]]) 17:24, 23 May 2017 (UTC) |
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==Which 45?== |
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There should be a list compiling their possible victims. Would anyone please get on it? I'm writing a story about the killer. Sea Captain Cormac 18:14, 25 May 2017 (UTC) <!-- Template:Unsigned --><small class="autosigned">— Preceding [[Wikipedia:Signatures|unsigned]] comment added by [[User:Cormac Nocton|Cormac Nocton]] ([[User talk:Cormac Nocton#top|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Cormac Nocton|contribs]]) </small> <!--Autosigned by SineBot--> |
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== Expansion == |
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This article is too short and is missing information on the area's Background before and during the purported murders. This needs to be added to the article with proper citations from reliable sources given to each piece of information added. The section on the investigation is too short and will need to be expanded in more detail than what it currently has, as it's very brief and doesn't contain enough detail. If applicable, any references/appearances in popular culture will need to be added via a section of the same name. The structure of this section will need to be well written paragraphs rather than bullet points.--Paleface Jack 16:51, 28 April 2018 (UTC) |
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== New Section == |
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Hi guys! I am a college student and as part of my English class, we are going to be editing articles of our choice. Since the new Oxygen tv series came out, I wanted to add a section all about it. This will include information about the production, synopsis of the episodes, and information about the people involved in the series. As I do more research, there may be more added as well. This will look like any other Wikipedia page on a TV series but will be shorter and more concise. Let me know any suggestions or comments! I'm glad to be here![[User:Hunter2714|Hunter2714]] ([[User talk:Hunter2714|talk]]) 16:43, 8 April 2019 (UTC) |
Latest revision as of 14:01, 10 November 2024
This is the talk page for discussing improvements to the Smiley face murder theory article. This is not a forum for general discussion of the article's subject. |
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AP Article about Thanksgiving, 2014
[edit]http://news.yahoo.com/body-missing-pa-college-student-recovered-195547184.html Here is an article about West Chester University student, Shane Montgomery, who disappeared on Thanksgiving after a night out with friends: Found in the Schuylkill River, in the city's Manayunk neighborhood.
{{....FBI Supervisory Special Agent J.J. Klaver said Saturday a body was recovered behind the Manayunk Brew Pub, less than a 10-minute walk from Kildare's....}}
Gannon and Duarte's Investigation
[edit]The following should not be in the article because it is editor's opinion and not necesarily that of local law enforcement
While the majority of these cases are believed by local authorities to be the result of accidental drownings
No where in the sources does it say what the majority of local law enforcement officials believe. Only a few local law enforcement officials commented on the theory.
The detectives claim that drownings in as many as 11 states may be linked and they investigated drownings in over 20 cities.
The source used says local law enforcement officials do not necessarily support their theory. This is the Fox news story titled Detectives:40 drowning victims may have been murdered. The other source used only has a comment by the FBI
There was no poll done or statements taken from local officials in over 20 different cities where drownings occurred.
Please provide a source for claim or leave unsubstantiated claim out of article--Yankee2009 (talk) 18:09, 9 December 2009 (UTC)
- It looks like you are misinterpreting the statement. To me it reads, "Majority" modifies "cases", not "law enforcement". So, in most cases the local law enforcement, for that individual case, believe the death to be the result of accidental drowning. Is there, maybe a better way to phrase that? Padillah (talk) 18:51, 9 December 2009 (UTC)
- Since none of the drownings have been classified as "homicides', we should change the sentence to, "While the majority of these case have been classified as accidental drownings by law enforcement..." This removes the weasel-y word "believe". Angryapathy (talk) 19:01, 9 December 2009 (UTC)
- Good point, thanks. Padillah (talk) 19:12, 9 December 2009 (UTC)
- Since none of the drownings have been classified as "homicides', we should change the sentence to, "While the majority of these case have been classified as accidental drownings by law enforcement..." This removes the weasel-y word "believe". Angryapathy (talk) 19:01, 9 December 2009 (UTC)
Again an unsubstantiated argument is made. Many of the drownings are undetermined. It is not like law enforcement agencies across the country wrote off the drownings as being accidental. --Yankee2009 (talk) 19:35, 9 December 2009 (UTC)
- How about, "While none of the cases have been classified as homicides by law enforcement..." I think that is universally agreed, and also keeps NPOV for the article. Angryapathy (talk) 19:44, 9 December 2009 (UTC)
- Cases are "ruled" homicides by the Coroners office. But, other than that, I've got no issues with the above. Padillah (talk) 19:55, 9 December 2009 (UTC)
Cases have been classified as homicides. There are many clusters and within them there is a suspected homicide or a drowning or disappearance called suspicious by law enforcement .Kondracki in LaCrosse and a FBI spokesperson said alcohol was the cause in the majority of drownings. There were no unusual drownings or clusters after 1998 in LaCrosse . There were drownings of young men there that had consumed a lot of alcohol after that time period. Another argument was made by a law enforcement official in the northeast they were not linked. No one knows what the majority opinion is .It is known there were murders,suspicious drownings and disappearances. It is not known if there is a link between them or more than one person in a cluster was actually a victim.--Yankee2009 (talk) 20:17, 9 December 2009 (UTC)
- To Yankee2009's point we really should have a source citing how many of the murders are ruled and to what degree this impacts the "Smiley Face" theory. Otherwise it's WP:SYN. Padillah (talk) 21:03, 9 December 2009 (UTC)
There are too many unknowns because there is not a complete list of probable victims,besides just because a few people may have been murdered a similar way is far from being proof they are linked. The detectives did not make a very good case for a smiley face gang theory. Without further evidence of something besides smiley faces or other things that could easily be coincidence, the drownings look to be unrelated incidents.The suspicious drownings are spread too far apart. Detective Gannon named all the possible Minnesota and Wisconsin victims. The majority of Wisconsin victims are believed to be alcohol related accidents. There was no determination made of many of the Minnesota deaths. They know Jenkin's was probably murdered in Minneapolis,but there is no belief by local authorities the drownings are linked. Some local authorities commented on the lack of evidence of a link and others commented on alcohol being a factor. Kondracki would have every reason to believe the majority were accidents because of the high alcohol level of victims in LaCrosse . —Preceding unsigned comment added by Yankee2009 (talk • contribs) 23:27, 9 December 2009 (UTC)
I am being asked to back up my claim ,yet I am not the one making assumptions.This just does not make any sense. I never assumed there was a book deal. I never assumed Pat Brown thought all of Gannon's theories were wrong. I never assumed they were accidental deaths. I never assumed they were murders. I never assumed more than one person could be the killer. I never assumed I should take the word of a few people in law enforcement that they were accidents.I never assumed the graffiti was related to murders. I do assume the editors are biased because the facts do back that up.If someone thinks differently then prove it. Keep making things up about me all you want.--Yankee2009 (talk) 18:30, 11 February 2010 (UTC)
Now for some facts on serial killers. Law enforcement almost always catches them from either dumb luck or help from the public.Pat Brown agrees with this.It also is common knowledge. It also is not unheard of that someone from outside of law enforcement reached the correct conclusion before law enforcement did.Some parents believe their kids could have been murdered by a serial killer drowning victims.From an article on The Atlanta child killer.
- in a patch of woods near Niskey Lake Road; Edward had been shot with a .22 caliber pistol while Alfred had been asphyxiated. Initially, the police thought the deaths were drug-related. In early September, Milton Harvey, 14, disappeared from a middle-class neighborhood in northwest Atlanta. His remains were found two months later in a garbage dump. The body of Yusef Bell, 9, was found in a deserted elementary school on November 8. While the authorities didn't think the four murders were connected, others -- including Yusef's mother Camille -- disagreed.
Were they conspiracy nuts that believed in a fringe theory just because law enforcement disagreed? Would they only be conspiracy nuts if they also claimed smiley faces were left behind?
The parents were right and law enforcement was wrong. A fringe theory is something not considered mainstream. Even if the majority in law enforcement did not believe(no sources provided by lazy editors) there was no killers that hardly makes them the mainstream.The public has been an important factor in catching killers.Killers are caught more often from correct information from the public then from the investigative skills of law enforcement personal.It was law enforcement that brought Jeffrey Dahmer's victim back to him and let him go on to murder several more young men. If the whole truth never came out the editors here would try to influence that story. They would have you believe the officer was right and the witness that called in and reported the incident was wrong.They would have you believe the lady witness was some kind of conspiracy nut,after all the policemen are the experts. They would look the other way and not wonder if there were going to be more victims.--Yankee2009 (talk) 13:06, 13 February 2010 (UTC)
It s not a fringe theory. editors are biased
[edit]The experts so called experts that people have used statements from have a credibility problem. Kondracki called drownings alcohol related accidents before test results came back. Other Law enforcement agencies also reached unsubstantiated conclusions. Editors ignorance of facts about the cases has caused a bias to promote this as a fringe theory. After all this time they have not even made a case that this is a fringe theory. below is from an article on Luke Homan
Police said toxicology reports will not be available for several weeks, but Kondracki said that interviews with Homan's acquaintances and a blood- alcohol test issued Friday night to a person who had been with Homan led police to rule out other conclusions.
The person last know to be with Homan could not explain why it looked like he had been in a fight. Below was from the Forensic examiner.]
Back in 1990, a man entered a police station in St. Charles, Missouri, and claimed to be the next Jeffrey Dahmer. The police ignored this man, but he finally got the attention of one detective when he shared his detailed fantasies about drowning young men. A well-known profiler, Pat Brown, got involved with the case and has been monitoring this man for years. Nicknamed John Doe to avoid revealing his identity, this man reportedly wanders from town to town. Based on her interactions with Doe, Brown believes that it is very possible that Doe, or someone like him, could be behind many of these mysterious drownings.
This article has Pat Brown talking about smiley face as if that is the only graffiti the detectives found.I will leave the article as is as proof that wikipedia has a problem with biased editors,should never be used as a reliable source and that editors ignore you or even attack you if you come to the table with facts.--Yankee2009 (talk) 02:07, 10 February 2010 (UTC)
- If by "facts" you mean "things you heard somewhere", then yes, WP is biased against these supposed "facts". Angryapathy (talk) 14:29, 10 February 2010 (UTC)
They are not just things I heard somewhere. You are being misleading. They were in articles just like the parts that are in the wikipedia article. I don't take a position on Gannon's theory. There is a reason for that . It is because as I have said before ,I do not know what they found as far as the graffiti and I don't know what other information they have. My bias would be they have not shown to my satisfaction the graffiti is an indication of murder and they have not shown more than one can be involved to my satisfaction.That does not make it a fringe theory. It would be arrogant of me to assume they should show it is not a fringe theory to my personal satisfaction.It would only be a fringe theory to someone that assumes they know more than the detectives. I make no assumptions as to if they have evidence that would indicate that their theory is true. You are making assumptions and avoiding facts. The facts about what was written about the cases. If those articles are biased then it is a problem with the articles and not me. There is obviously a problem here doing a dance around real issues and facts and the treatment of others here. There is no point in having the article if editors are going to form an opinion first. It is better to gather the facts first .You proved my point when you suggested those facts were something that were heard somewhere. I have never promoted this as not being a fringe theory so it is not me that is controversial. I don't care how many editors disagree because you would still all be wrong. --Yankee2009 (talk) 16:58, 11 February 2010 (UTC)
- Please provide the reliable source which says that the John Doe you mentioned earlier is implicated in these alleged murders and Pat Brown is involved. If that truly is a fact, you should have something to back up that extraordinary claim. Angryapathy (talk) 17:09, 11 February 2010 (UTC)
You back up your accusation. I am not the one making accusations. I am not the one promoting this a fringe theory.
Isn't there a rule about making this about the issues and not people? I have no problem with bringing up your bias because there is a bigger problem at wikipedia then one article.You other editors want to break the rules if it does not suit you. Apparently facts are only what the individual editors believe. Don't you think you are being arrogant? Do you think someone should prove to you it is not a fringe theory? Do you believe any one that has worked law enforcement would even give you enough details about crimes to make a conclusion one way or the other every time as to what one should believe? I did say something a long time ago about how law enforcement does not make a point of sharing all their information.Did you miss that? Or are you just seeing what you want to see? It is a fact and not something I heard that law enforcement does not want details put out that they could get a false confession for. Anyone then could give details of how a crime was committed if it were published in the newspapers. Do you believe Pat Brown is more credible then someone that is a highly decorated detective even though she can potentially benefit from publicity while Gannon has never written a book as Pat Brown has and is one of the most decorated police officer.? Would Dreamguy like to answer that last one? Probably not . Once you are willing to admit your attacks and biases then progress can be made.Instead this article is about personal biases .I have proven that point so it is fair to bring it up. You on the other hand have not said anything you can back up with facts. You can see from other comments I don't support their theory but I am not taking a position against it either as far as the article itself is concerned. I have previously said something about them not releasing information that proves the theory. From what I wrote above The detectives did not make a very good case for a smiley face gang theory. Without further evidence of something besides smiley faces or other things that could easily be coincidence, the drownings look to be unrelated incidents. You put me in a situation that is catch 22. Editors making it about other editors . --Yankee2009 (talk) 17:47, 11 February 2010 (UTC)
I should have something to back it up because you think so. You made the false accusation. That is the reaction an arrogant person. Are you here so people see things your way? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Yankee2009 (talk • contribs) 17:54, 11 February 2010 (UTC)
Prove I made an extraordinary claim. There is something called google.Have you ever used it. I put exactly what was in in articles. Pat Browns problem is linking the graffiti and the belief that more than one person could be doing murders. It is not an extraordinary claim. If you assumed she never thought there could be a killer you would be wrong. By calling it an extraordinary claim you proved your bias. Pat Brown never said she does not support a serial killer theory. She said she does not support Gannon's theories. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Yankee2009 (talk • contribs) 18:00, 11 February 2010 (UTC)
Maybe if you told me what the so called extraordinary claim is I might get around to addressing your made up theory on that.I won't promise anything,because I don't think anyone here is interested in facts in the first place.--Yankee2009 (talk) 18:06, 11 February 2010 (UTC)
It says this in the article Criminal profiler Pat Brown calls the serial killer theory "ludicrous
This is poorly worded. If anyone was led to believe Pat Brown thought a serial killer theory was ridiculous then they failed to realize she was commenting on gannon's theory and not a serial killer theory. Pat Brown commented on this- the ex-cops say they found painted smiley faces near where they suspect the bodies first entered the water. Because some of the deaths occurred on the same day in different states, the detectives surmise that more than one person is committing the crimes. She commented on the theory of more than one killer and a belief the graffiti may being linked. All the information that the detectives say led them to this conclusion was not released to the public. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Yankee2009 (talk • contribs) 18:20, 11 February 2010 (UTC)
- OK, so I've tried to weed through the number of comments posted here. I will go back to the start of this section: You quote something that you say is from "an article on Luke Homan", which you then state:
- "Back in 1990, a man entered a police station in St. Charles, Missouri, and claimed to be the next Jeffrey Dahmer. The police ignored this man, but he finally got the attention of one detective when he shared his detailed fantasies about drowning young men. A well-known profiler, Pat Brown, got involved with the case and has been monitoring this man for years. Nicknamed John Doe to avoid revealing his identity, this man reportedly wanders from town to town. Based on her interactions with Doe, Brown believes that it is very possible that Doe, or someone like him, could be behind many of these mysterious drownings."
- After that, you claim that editors are biased against facts. Well, I still have no idea where you got the information about this John Doe. I wholeheartedly dispute that as a fact, because it sounds like something from a crackpot website. If you cannot provide a source for this information, then it is "something you heard somewhere", and is not a fact. Simple as that. Angryapathy (talk) 18:30, 11 February 2010 (UTC)
I did give the source. It is not an extraordinary claim. Do you even think before you accuse?I am being asked to back up my claim ,yet I am not the one making assumptions.This just does not make any sense. I never assumed there was a book deal. I never assumed Pat Brown thought all of Gannon's theories were wrong. I never assumed they were accidental deaths. I never assumed they were murders. I never assumed more than one person could be the killer. I never assumed I should take the word of a few people in law enforcement that they were accidents.I never assumed the graffiti was related to murders. I do assume the editors are biased because the facts do back that up.If someone thinks differently then you prove it. Keep making things up about me all you want.That is what you are doing. tell me why i shouldn't treat you the same way you do me? It is rude what you are doing.. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Yankee2009 (talk • contribs) 18:37, 11 February 2010 (UTC)
I have a question for you. Did you assume Pat Brown thought there was no killer in the first place?--Yankee2009 (talk) 18:42, 11 February 2010 (UTC)
Why do you think the Forensic examiner is a crackpot website? For someone concerned with crackpot theories and websites ,you seem to have some crackpot theories of your own.--Yankee2009 (talk) 18:45, 11 February 2010 (UTC)
- OK, maybe I am missing some information. Can you provide a link to the source to back up the John Doe information you provided above? Angryapathy (talk) 18:56, 11 February 2010 (UTC)
I don't think this article has been fair to either law enforcement or Pat Brown because of the misleading statements. It unfairly represents Pat Browns beliefs.It also for a long time made it seem as if law enforcement as a whole was dismissing deaths around the country as accidents with no citations used to back up the claim. In truth many of them just don't do things that way. They don't all jump to conclusions as Kondracki did.Sometimes it does happen. Drownings can be ruled accidental based on the lack of evidence not because they know in fact it was not a murder. No one knows. It has also not been fair to the detectives as people are misled into thinking it was only smiley faces that link the deaths. There were clusters of young men missing in short time frames along certain interstates. There were the same names written in graffiti. There were several other distinct symbols besides smiley faces. It is also not fair to the families and friends of victims that want the drownings investigated. Now I realize some of you around here would rather play games and pretend you just want to follow the rules and even that you are not the ones being biased but that is not the case. If you are not being evasive,you are attacking.If not attacking then you pretend to be like robots that are just trying to play by the rules. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Yankee2009 (talk • contribs) 19:05, 11 February 2010 (UTC)
- Yes, we play by the rules of only allowing verifiable information that comes from reliable secondary sources to be added to this encyclopedia. I am sorry that you take issue with these longstanding rules of Wikipedia. If you feel you would like to air this information elsewhere, feel free to do so. Wikipedia is not the only venue on the internet for information to be disseminated. Angryapathy (talk) 19:22, 11 February 2010 (UTC)
I did not realize it was acceptable to focus on the messenger and not the message such as you have done. Or to make false and unverifiable claims.I don't take issues with rules and that is an unverifiable claim. it seems you don't know what an unverifiable claim is. I already proved that.I did not make an extraordinary claim.your attitude seems to be based on ignorance of the facts ,rudeness , arrogance and even possibly jealousy because I know more than you do. I made claims that can be backed up with verifiable facts.You see only what you want to see and attack me once again..I don't even care if you put unverifiable claims in the article.My only concern is people realize wikipedia sucks. you yourself our proving that today . Just because Pat brown or someone in law enforcement says something does not make it true. pat Brown says the following.
For one thing, she says, sociopaths probably wouldn't work that hard, traveling to several states to find victims.
Yes they have been known to travel. Some people even travel as part part oftheir occupation
Second, a serial killer's motive is generally pretty clear. "It's usually a sexual assault," Brown says, which isn't the case in these drownings.- not always
Third, serial killers prefer to work alone. "Sometimes you'll get a pair of them," she says, but not working in separate locations.- not always
Fourth, their choice of victims doesn't match the serial killer profile. "They don't pick on big college boys. They pick on little girls, or teenage girls, or young teenage boys like 14 years old who can't fight back."- not always
Fifth, the idea that they could abduct 40 male college students and drown them all without leaving a suspicious mark on their bodies strains all credibility.- there were suspicious marks and it is often assumed any marks were obtained while in the water.Drowning a victim would also be harder to prove.
Just because a certain type of killer is less common is not a very good argument against a serial killer theory. In fact just the opposite may be true because the killer would not fit the typical profile so it would be easier to stay under the radar. Your ability to make up your own facts is disturbing and so is your lack of logic
--Yankee2009 (talk) 21:42, 11 February 2010 (UTC)
- There are actually several more serious contradictions and proven incorrect facts about serial killer psychology being made here... in fact, the crimes of Harold Shipman firmly disprove many of the points Brown argues- Shipman managed to claim hundreds of lives due to how he picked a method of execution that did not look suspicious to law enforcement, so, indeed, it would make sense that a serial killer would specifically take a thrill in being able to target healthy young males and having the authorities write the death off as accidental drowning, with a signature anonymous enough to avoid suspicion. It's also not impossible that the times of death of the overlapping victims could be wrong... depending on the temperature and chemical contaminants of the water, rigor mortis and rate of decay could be thrown off significantly enough to account for mortician's oversight, and open a window large enough for anyone with access to a vehicle and a GPS to find large bodies of water and quick routes to travel to. It's not unreasonable to think that a killer could evolve after deriving sadistic satisfaction from getting away with murder after accidentally pushing a drunk former friend or enemy into water and having the police classify their death as an accident. In fact the additional postmortem humiliation of the victim, having them being labelled as a "drunken idiot" and the resulting agony of the family members... not to mention misandry as a possible motivating factor as well... in fact it would make a lot of sense if the killer is a female "black widow" type with a deep-seated hatred of men, it would certainly explain how nobody notices several dozen partially inebriated college kids leaving if they're being escorted out of a party... (Statistically rare, but would explain the lack of detection) I'm not saying that's actually what's going on, but it's not nearly as implausible or fringe as this article makes it out to be. 216.121.240.209 (talk) 00:58, 9 October 2015 (UTC)
I tell the truth the most on this discussion page and yet am confronted by the most falsehoods. when were you editors ever concerned about accuracy? Pat Brown never said a serial killer theory was ludicrous and you danced right around that point.She said Gannons theory was. Yet the article reads that way. Yet you blabber on about an unverifiable fact.You have had absolutely no constructive comments to make .You are a crackpot and this is a crackpot site. Even the crackpot sites try to give the whole story and let people decide for themselves so this is worse then any crackpot site I am aware of. --Yankee2009 (talk) 21:51, 11 February 2010 (UTC)
I have tried to push for accuracy in the story . I never tried to add unverifiable information. Where is your proof ?I think you resent that. I don't think you are being honest with yourself so I don't expect you to say thing that are true in regards to me . Dreamguy is another crackpot. I never heard one word from you about the unverifiable information he wanted to leave in the article.You took a side and are defending it with cheap shots at me and so did dreamguy.
--68.114.135.200 (talk) 22:03, 11 February 2010 (UTC)
- I honestly don't know what you want. We have put into this article the information that is available with regards to the weight of the sources. I am not making any assumptions, this is a hard fact:
- No professional law enforcement agency is investigating these deaths as murders.
- This is a theory. And not a well-accepted theory. The biggest proponents are the private detectives who came up with the theory and are paid to do so. The detectives profit from the press coverage. I can't find any coverage of this theory in the past six months in any reliable source. We don't need to expand on something that is only believed by a small minority. The info in the article is reliably sourced. If these were actual murders, actual law enforcement officers would be investigating it for the local, state, and federal agencies. What information do you wish to add that is based on a reliable source? Instead of calling us biased, point out what should be added (that follows WP procedure). We can discuss then. Angryapathy (talk) 22:05, 11 February 2010 (UTC)
Why is you are concerned about unverifiabe when I am not adding it to the article? If I want to I will but until then there is no reason to bring it up.My concern is you are an idiot.
--68.114.135.200 (talk) 22:08, 11 February 2010 (UTC)
- Well, with stunningly intelligent comments written in such well-composed English, I would say that your wit has assailed me. I shall retire then. Angryapathy (talk) 22:13, 11 February 2010 (UTC)
You made an unverifiable statement that it is a not well excepted theory. The article read like that but it did it with no citation that used a source that even said that.Things get put in the article,then they become facts in peoples minds without any one even checking the source to see what it says. You don't know it is a minority opinion. I asked for the source that said it was a minority opinion a long time ago.It still has not been produced.Yes they are intelligent comments and I am not used to typing.you have had nothing intelligent to say.--68.114.135.200 (talk) 22:19, 11 February 2010 (UTC)
You have no class. You make things up. You are retarded. You are arrogant. I would suggest you worry about working on yourself and quit being a retard like many of the other editors are.--68.114.135.200 (talk) 22:23, 11 February 2010 (UTC)
One other unverifiable thing you said. No professional force is investigating them as murders. Why do you keep making things up? Is it that important to you to be right that you have to act this way. You have issues.--68.114.135.200 (talk) 22:26, 11 February 2010 (UTC)
- I honestly don't care what you think of me. Your opinion of me is unimportant to me. If you want to improve this article, please use this page to do so. If you would liek to suggest specific improvements, please do so. Otherwise, I think we can finish with the personal attacks that are wasting hard drive space on the Wikipedia servers. Angryapathy (talk) 22:31, 11 February 2010 (UTC)
I know you don't. I can tell by your abrasive personality you are arrogant.I can also see you don't like facts.It is up to you about ending the personal attacks. You keep steering the conversation to things you make up and making misleading statements about me. I am not the one with the problem here.The only one of the two of us that wants to sway public opinion here with the article is you. Yet you try to make it about me. It is like not liek and this is not true-*No professional law enforcement agency is investigating these deaths as murders. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.114.135.200 (talk) 22:42, 11 February 2010 (UTC)
Now we have this for reasons this is a fringe theory
The majority were ruled as accidents- not true
Gannon wants a book deal-still no book
Pat Brown says Gannon's theory is wrong because it does not fit her idea of what a typical serial killer will do-yea so?
No professional force is investigating them as murders-not true
They were drunk so blame it in the booze-many had a blood alcohol content that would make them legal to drive
smiley faces are common-smiley faces had horns and was not the only graffiti
cause I know more than the detectives that put a lot of time and effort working on the cases-oh really?
"No law enforcement agency believes that the drownings are linked in any way-false
Because its a consensus-a consensus of idiots
because I just heard this stuff somewhere from some crackpot site-false
--Yankee2009 (talk) 23:14, 11 February 2010 (UTC)
Name one police force or law enforcement agency that is investigating these drownings as a string of murders. Otherwise, you might want to convert to pastafarianism, because your arguments sound as good as a flying spaghetti monster. Angryapathy (talk) 23:46, 11 February 2010 (UTC)
You made the claim "No law enforcement agency believes that the drownings are linked in any way". Where is your source? Do you expect me to address everything you make up? This could go on forever. You are wasting hard drive space due to your laziness.
Now the other argument about the FBI and the so called experts..Did the FBI just review the info that was already available? How much forensic evidence did they examine? How many people worked on the cases and how many reached that conclusion? Being swayed with their opinion without knowing many details is not logical. The FBI does not even deserve any credit for the forensic evidence that proved there were murders,yet they carry more weight with some people because it reinforces their personal opinion. The FBI did not want to do a DNA test on the hair Chris Jenkins was clutching in his own hand.It took 4 years to get that done. The Minneapolis police came up with a story that was controversial because they thought Chris Jenkins fell from the bridge. The evidence indicated that was not the case.Lacrosse,Wisconsin only averages 1 drowning in a little over a year yet several young men drowned over a few months. 2 of those drownings were 12 days apart and one was known to be terrified of water.Of course to Dreamguy and other crackpots these are the experts.
--68.114.135.200 (talk) 00:16, 12 February 2010 (UTC)
It is not like there has never been a string of murders before. As for spaghetti monsters there have been none that I know of. you have no wit at all.--68.114.135.200 (talk) 00:40, 12 February 2010 (UTC)
Everyone the editors uses as a source to push this as a fringe theory has a credibility problem. The minneapolis police that ignore evidence that did not fit their theory. Pat Brown that made misleading statements Chief Kondracki that made misleading statements. The FBI that said the cases would not get priority. -This was in an article
The editors also use misleading articles and statements in the first place as a basis for the belief this is a fringe theory rather than actual research. The editors also repeat the same pattern of deception that causes the theory to be considered fringe by some in the first place. They also repeat the same pattern of rude and arrogant behavior.If there was no belief by the mainstream then why would Kondracki bother to have a town hall meeting on the subject in the first place? do you think you know more then concerned citizens of LaCrosse? I am addressing the real issue of the problem with this article. Arrogance of editors and your lack of knowledge. You say you don't know what I want . I have to repeat myself because you don't pay attention in the first place. You keep wasting hard drive space but never back up a claim this is a fringe theory . Back up your claims. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.114.135.200 (talk) 07:08, 12 February 2010 (UTC)
Angryapathy made the following comment 4 months ago.
This article strongly shows that all reputable law enforcement agencies reject the theory Now if angryapathy believes this then why in the last 4 months has a source not been provided to back up the claim? Why is he taking the low road? If he believes hard drive space is being wasted then the fault is his own for making things up which I am addressing.
Gannon wants a book deal-still no book
Pat Brown says Gannon's theory is wrong because it does not fit her idea of what a typical serial killer will do-yea so?
No professional force is investigating them as murders-not true
They were drunk so blame it in the booze-many had a blood alcohol content that would make them legal to drive
smiley faces are common-smiley faces had horns and was not the only graffiti
cause I know more than the detectives that put a lot of time and effort working on the cases-oh really?
"No law enforcement agency believes that the drownings are linked in any way-false
He also says I got information I just heard somewhere. He makes things up and then asks me to show sources. Angryapathy would rather I present even more evidence he is not telling the truth rather than save hard drive space. Exactly what is it you want? I am simply pointing out none of you had made a case this is a fringe theory.I did not come here to fight. You came to me and made false accusations.You were involved in the discussion of what should be in the article without having a source to back up a claim you made. --Yankee2009 (talk) 07:41, 12 February 2010 (UTC)
- I am going to say this as simply as possible for you. If you would like to suggest an addition to this article, please do so, and back it up with a source. Otherwise all you are doing is ranting about this theory but doing nothing constructive. Angryapathy (talk) 14:29, 12 February 2010 (UTC)
I am going to say this as simply as possible to you. If you want to promote this as a fringe theory and make extraordinary claims then back it up with a source.Otherwise all you are doing is ranting and doing nothing constructive.4 months ago you made a false claim without a source. I proved that you were wrong and I can do it again. Please provide sources for your extraordinary claims or shut up.Please stop wasting hard drive space. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.114.135.200 (talk) 15:19, 12 February 2010 (UTC)
Why not do this. Just start another section for making false accusations against me.Problem solved. You could even have another section to make all the misleading statements you want about the theory without even providing sources as you have done before..I am never going to see things your way because I gathered the facts and then formed an opinion and you did the opposite.I will let you make up any nonsense you want in that section and not reply to any of it. This section is about the promotion of the theory as a fringe theory without a source. It is not about me telling people about stuff I just heard somewhere. It is about people like you that don't use a reliable source to back up a claim. If you want to accuse just do it somewhere else.--Yankee2009 (talk) 15:38, 12 February 2010 (UTC)
- Obviously this isn't a fringe theory. After all, serial killings of 40 people would get tons of press coverage...oh wait, this theory isn't getting lots of press coverage. And hasn't in months. So wait, that makes it a fringe theory...Let me give you an example of how this is a fringe theory: If I were to claim that people from Jupiter were going to invade, people are going to ignore me. Hence no press coverage and "refutations". Same thing applies here. This theory was considered interesting by a few media outlets, but law enforcement agencies have better things to do than to cater to what the attention-hungry PI's have to say. And again, thanks for proving that NO law enforcement agency is investigating this as serial killings. Just name one. Come on, just one little agency or police department. One tiny proof that real police care about this theory? Wait, what's that? None of them do? Dance around it all you want. This is a fringe theory. Very few people believe in it. Just because the world doesn't stop all goings-on to refute a little-believed theory doesn't make it true. We have covered this theory in accordance to the weight of the believers and non-believers. Read WP:UNDUE if you want to see what WP has to say about it. Angryapathy (talk) 15:41, 12 February 2010 (UTC)
I told you you could have your own section for making things up. When it was being discussed what the majority of LE believed I provided a source. I would not be so arrogant as to make a claim and not back it up. You made the claim no agency is investigating them,yet you don't provide a source. I did not make the claim . You did. YOU DID -YOU DID-Get it through your head. People from Jupiter have never invaded but serial killers are real. Santa Clause is also not real. If a crime does not get press coverage all the time that does not mean it did not happen. You are being ridiculous.
--Yankee2009 (talk) 15:59, 12 February 2010 (UTC)
- Oh, that's the name of the law enforcement agency investigating these so-called murders? Oh, wait, you again failed to mention any professional law enforcement agency that takes this theory seriously. I think that makes this...a fringe theory. Thanks again! Angryapathy (talk) 16:03, 12 February 2010 (UTC)
Call all the police departments.. Then you can tell them they did no work looking into if other drownings were related with other law enforcement agencies.I am sure they will appreciate you accusing them of not doing this and just brushing drownings off as unrelated accidents. I am not your secretary or personal slave. You made the claim. --68.114.135.200 (talk) 16:16, 12 February 2010 (UTC) Why do you make claims and then expect others to prove your claims are not true? There were LE agencies looking into this and as a matter of fact I do know which . You insinuated I did not because you are dishonest. It is not my job to prove something you don't believe to be false.You were explained this over and over again but you are rude and stupid it does not sink in. I do not enjoy calling people names but when it is true I will. I would rather get along. You are another stuck up person that acts like you are above it all as you are a snob.I realize the snobs such as yourself dominate this site and thats what I have to deal with to be here. You can never admit when you are wrong and just keep escalating the situation.Fortunately for the site i went away from your idiotic rants and all the harrassment from people like yourself. Wikipedia is that much less accurate without me. It is a shame you act like you know more about a subject than I do. IF that is the case I would be glad to quiz you any time to see what you really do know. You act like you are better than me. Who are all the police agencies brushing them off as unrelated accidents? Go ahead name all of them.Oh wait. You don't know anything.You are here wasting hard drive space --Yankee2009 (talk) 16:25, 12 February 2010 (UTC)
Thanks again for the names of the people taking this seriously, since if a group of noted people or the majority would support the theory, it would not be a fringe theory. Otherwise, it is a minority view, and hence a fringe theory. It's simple. Oh, it is hilarious that you end everything with, "You are wasting hard drive space." It's like goodbye, but sillier! Angryapathy (talk) 17:10, 12 February 2010 (UTC)
feel free to delete this evidence of who the troll really is. Copied from article. "When they went down into the area where we thought he went into the water, they noticed the graffiti and they noticed this smiley face painted on the wall," said Willoughby. It's a smiley face with a crown on its head. It's on the wall of the bar under the party deck, just 30 feet from the creek. Detective Willoughby called Tommy's mom who had also seen the news report. "When he told me about the smiley face, it just gave me chills," she said. The New York detectives believe there's more than one killer, perhaps a gang, since all of the smiley faces are painted differently. Detective Willoughby has sent them pictures of the smiley face found near Ridley Creek. He also contacted the FBI, even though they've looked at the other cases and dismissed the possibility of a link. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.114.132.7 (talk) 15:16, 23 May 2012 (UTC)
Can you provide sources for this. You did make the claim. I know what baiting is and that is what you are doing.
This theory was considered interesting by a few media outlets, but law enforcement agencies have better things to do than to cater to what the attention-hungry PI's have to say.
Those few media outlets were not just a few local networks. They were also major networks.ABC. FOX.CNN . There were also newspapers and magazines that covered this.People magazine. The Forensic examiner. Stuff Magazine. Milwaukee Magazine. Prove to me the Pi's are attention hungry. There has no been no book deal.Why do you make statements you can' back up when they are your claims? You are asking me to prove your claims are not true and that is not right. Are you going to complain again that I wasting hard drive space addressing your BS?I will give you all the rope you want.--Yankee2009 (talk) 17:23, 12 February 2010 (UTC)
Do you have a source for this?
it is a minority view, and hence a fringe theory .
If you make a claim you should provide the source.You are using wikipedia to gossip.--Yankee2009 (talk) 17:31, 12 February 2010 (UTC)
Please provide a source that Jupiter is not invading Earth. Otherwise, it is not a fringe theory, and should be consider a mainstream view. And we should be afraid of Jupiterians. Angryapathy (talk) 18:02, 12 February 2010 (UTC)
You can not make up your mind. You complain about attention hungry P I's ,yet seem to have no problem with Pat Brown who is in the media frequently. You also say on the other hand only a few media outlets covered the murder theory. You don't provide sources either.You are talking gibberish. What does how much media coverage have to do with what is the truth? If no one reports the sky is blue then by your standards there is no blue sky.What don't you understand? You are making claims without sources.You make up everything else so you might as well argue that Santa Clause is real or there are people on Jupiter. No doubt you would think in your mind it would be my responsibility to find sources that dispute that claim. you are impatient for someone that had four months to provide a source and did not. I probably would not be putting up with all this nonsense if editors were not seeking like minded people for input on the article.I don't need to gather an army of propagandists because the truth is on my side.--Yankee2009 (talk) 23:17, 12 February 2010 (UTC)
Pat Browns comments are given more weight because editors share her opinion and not because they make an argument the theory is ludicrous.In fact they think I should prove the theory is not ludicrous. If it is their opinion then they should make arguments based on facts. They should prove it and not be hounding me to prove their opinions are wrong.Pat Brown thinks it would not fit a description of a typical profile of serial killers. This is not an argument that the theory is ludicrous . It is her opinion .Haleys comet only comes around once every one hundred years but it does come around. This is a fair comparison unlike what Angryapaty does.He makes ridiculous analogies as to ridicule me. The editors would have you believe the people that share their views are the majority and yet fail to provide proof. In fact they are so lazy they want me to prove what they believe is wrong ,rather than taking the time to prove their opinions are right.The editors feel as long as a few people, they feel are notable shares their opinion, that gives their opinions legitimacy.Facts give legitimacy and not someones opinion. The editors fail to know the difference between their opinions and facts. This makes them unqualified to make decisions as to if this is a fringe theory and what should be in the article. The editors have had ample time to back up their claims ,yet they have failed to do so. --Yankee2009 (talk) 11:27, 13 February 2010 (UTC)
Before you attack me again at least consider it from my point of view. I neither agree or disagree with Pat Browns opinion. I do not know what the evidence is. I don't know what graffiti they found and I don't know how common it is. I have said this before and no one disputed it that people in law enforcement do not make a point of sharing every detail of a possible crime.This is common knowledge.The detectives said they did not reveal all their evidence.The editors want me to prove their point of view is not correct ,rather than show theirs is.The editors provided no sources or even any arguments against this point.The editors provided no proof the detectives want a book deal or are publicity hounds either.They ignored these points because addressing them did not suit them. The editors seem to think I should be held to a higher standard then they hold for themselves. I am being attacked for my lack of arrogance by not making assumptions about a theory.If the editors think they know more than the detectives ,then they should just come out and say so and provide a source that proves this.The editors have had ample time to address these points with facts but failed to do so. All they have done is make unsourced claims and to try to avoid embarrassing themselves with their ignorance while attacking me. --Yankee2009 (talk) 12:05, 13 February 2010 (UTC)
Now for some facts on serial killers. Law enforcement almost always catches them from either dumb luck or help from the public.Pat Brown agrees with this.It also is common knowledge. It also is not unheard of that someone from outside of law enforcement reached the correct conclusion before law enforcement did.Some parents believe their kids could have been murdered by a serial killer drowning victims.From an article on The Atlanta child killer.
in a patch of woods near Niskey Lake Road; Edward had been shot
with a .22 caliber pistol while Alfred had been asphyxiated. Initially, the police thought the deaths were drug-related. In early September, Milton Harvey, 14, disappeared from a middle-class neighborhood in northwest Atlanta. His remains were found two months later in a garbage dump. The body of Yusef Bell, 9, was found in
a deserted elementary school on November 8. While the authorities
didn't think the four murders were connected, others -- including
Yusef's mother Camille -- disagreed.
Were they conspiracy nuts that believed in a fringe theory just because law enforcement disagreed? Would they only be conspiracy nuts if they also claimed smiley faces were left behind?
The parents were right and law enforcement was wrong. A fringe theory is something not considered mainstream. Even if the majority in law enforcement did not believe(no sources provided by lazy editors) there was no killers that hardly makes them the mainstream.The public has been an important factor in catching killers.Killers are caught more often from correct information from the public then from the investigative skills of law enforcement personal.It was law enforcement that brought Jeffrey Dahmer's victim back to him and let him go on to murder several more young men. If the whole truth never came out the editors here would try to influence that story. They would have you believe the officer was right and the witness that called in and reported the incident was wrong.They would have you believe the lady witness was some kind of conspiracy nut,after all the policemen are the experts. They would look the other way and not wonder if there were going to be more victims.--Yankee2009 (talk) 13:13, 13 February 2010 (UTC)
Now the biased editors have an advantage because they are affecting what the public sees. People link to this site when they are having a talk about the theory. This can influence what the public thinks in the first place. Wikipedia is being used to influence what the mainstream thinks due to the arrogance of editors. I have no desire to push my views on others. The people that do are the ones that should provide the sources. Wikipedia is not to be used to promote ones personal beliefs and yet the editors are doing just that. --Yankee2009 (talk) 13:27, 13 February 2010 (UTC)
Pat Brown says in the article "it does not fit the evidence" we Don't know what the evidence is. If angryapathy knows what it is he must either work for the FBI,be psychic or is the killer. the same with the rest of you.Pat Brown makes controversial statements. the editors that call this a fringe theory make controversial statements.From the FBI's website .http://www.fbi.gov/publications/serial_murder.htm OH LOOK A SOURCE FOR MY CLAIM. Pay attention angryapathy.
Myth: Serial killers are only motivated by sex.
All serial murders are not sexualy-based. There are many other motivations for serial murders including anger, thrill, financial gain, and attention seeking.
Pat Brown says this-
Second, a serial killer's motive is generally pretty clear. "It's usually a sexual assault," Brown says, which isn't the case in these drownings.here is the source.-Wikipedia usee this source.
I have shown that the editors that are promoting this as a fringe theory are arrogant. I have shown the experts they agree with are controversial. I have shown that those editors are controversial. I have shown they do not provide sources for their claims. I have shown they are trouble makers. I have shown they are snobs. I have shown that they lack knowledge on the subject matter.--Yankee2009 (talk) 20:10, 14 February 2010 (UTC)
What still no sources to show this is a fringe theory? What a surprise.Still no sources to show the so called experts are a credible source? Kondracki is once again talking out of his ass. Angryapathy is an expert on this.He is now claiming that river Watch has saved 50 people from drowning. This is propaganda. Propaganda is a tool the editors use on wikipedia when it serves their purpose.In 30 years Lacrosse did not have 50 college age men drown ,yet in a few years they saved 50 people?.The editors make decisions based on assumptions and would then tell you it is my responsibity to prove them wrong. This is ridiculous.Should the Minneapolis police also be considered credible? Probably not.have they forgot the Chris Jenkins case? I don't think they even read up on it .You can not have a credible site that presents a theory in a way that is fair and lets people make up their own minds with this kind of attitude.The editors are at war with truth.What they are for is forcing their opinion down your throat on a theory they don't know much about in the first place.From a story on Chris Jenkins below.
"Minneapolis police wouldn't talk on camera but said there is not a shred of credible evidence Chris Jenkins was murdered -- no need for dogs, DNA or debriefing wannabe serial killers. The detective in charge of the case told 12 News the Jenkins need to come back to reality," Henry said.
"I can't imagine in my wildest dream that he's not a suspect. He talks about Saran Wrap and duct tape, well certainly Saran Wrap is not something that would leave marks that you'd ever pick up in an autopsy," Jan Jenkins said.
"Our entire life has been consumed to find answers, and every time, any direction that we went, we had law enforcement in the way trying to stop us from finding answers," Steve Jenkins said.
Henry wants to emphasize that the man she talked to is not a suspect. Minneapolis police contend there is no crime, so they won't do further investigation.
The man in Missouri told 12 News that he was on a road trip at the time Jenkins and the others disappeared. The only way to confirm that would be with, possibly, credit card or phone records and only police have the authority to subpoena those records -- fueling the family's frustration.
If there is a serial killer the editors here,law enforcement and the rest of the idiots spewing propaganda are complicit and enablers of that killer.--Yankee2009 (talk) 13:20, 22 February 2010 (UTC)
None of the long list of information you have provided actually discuss the "Smiley Face Murder Theory." From every reliable source (which are few and far between) that mentions this theory, it is made clear that this theory is not mainstream. Please only provide information from sources that describe the theory itself. Otherwise, you are doing original research, which is not allowed. I suggest that if you want to discuss in the detail you desire, try another site, for instance Google's Knol project or creating a website for the theory. According to WP's policies and guidelines, and consensus of other editors, this subject is receiving the proper amount of coverage. If you don't like Wikipedia's policies, you are free to go elsewhere. Angryapathy (talk) 14:37, 22 February 2010 (UTC)
Blanking of the page
[edit]I have posted this on Yankee's wall, and am reiterating it here on the talk page. Blanking a page to prove your point does not endear other editors to your cause. An RfC can be started if Yankee wants this theory to be treated as more than a fringe theory, although I highly doubt he will like the results when other policy-minded editors weigh in on the issue. Angryapathy (talk) 23:38, 14 February 2010 (UTC)
This stupidity has gone on long enough.Your attitude is arrogant and is like one of a person at war. You editors with your uninformed opinions and stupidity are a complete waste of time.You shouldn't talk about endearing yourself to anyone after the way you acted. You are a moron.That is something that can be proven more easily then then the assumption this is a fringe theory so it is apropiate to say so.Say what you want but if any one was to ever say wikipedia is a unbiased and reliable source that would be a fringe theory thanks to editors like yourself. You are the fringe and too stupid to realize it.You should have took my offer when you had the chance.If you want a war then bring it on. Bring all the other retards here also to make up some more bullshit.You are worthless piece of trash .Sometimes the trash needs to be taken out.That's the problem with wikipedia . The trash thrives here. There is no hope for this site.--Yankee2009 (talk) 13:30, 22 February 2010 (UTC)
- I'd refer you to WP:CIVIL, but I know that is a waste of time. This page is for discussing the subject, not for you to make insults. Please try to stay on topic. Angryapathy (talk) 14:27, 22 February 2010 (UTC)
What do you know about being civil? You wanted a war with me .You were losing so now you are backing off because you have no facts to back up your ridiculous claims. You have been rude . You have been arrogant . You are a hypocrite. You have been a snob. Those are facts.I am staying on topic because people like you are what is wrong with the article. I am not putting the cart ahead of the horse. I am addressing the issue that is the cause for problems with the article and you are part of that problem. You would identify with an evil attention whore bitch like Pat Brown because you are one. Pat Brown is a lying media whore and should not be given more weight. Dreamguy should agree with this but he won't because he also has double standards and is a hypocrite. Your problem is with facts that don't fit with your beliefs and your arrogance. If you are comfortable with yourself being a bitch that lies that is between you and your God. You are an a hole get over it or change.
Some of Pat Browns unfounded statements
they claim these symbols have got to be made by this gang–I never heard them say this. They said they found several distinct symbols and what they believed were nicknames.
They claim there is a bunch of men who target athletic, blond, college boys and drown them in bodies of water -A bunch? I heard they believe it is more than one person
Nor do they believe that most of these deaths could have been accidents or suicide -I never heard this either.
Now, I might buy this if the symbol, this signature, was a bunny rabbit with wings coming out of its back and sporting big green teeth, but a smiley face? Wow! How rare!-see pat brown comment one. --Yankee2009 (talk) 01:03, 24 February 2010 (UTC)
If you do not like the policies of Wikipedia and the opinions of other editors, you are welcome to take your views elsewhere. Wikipedia is not the only place for information on the web. Complaining that you don't like the policies and consensus serves no purpose. You can choose to abide by the guidelines and policies of Wikipedia, or you can choose to try and publish the views elsewhere. Please read WP:CIVIL and especially WP:VERIFY if you wish to continue editing here. Angryapathy (talk) 03:56, 24 February 2010 (UTC)
I have proved every allegation false made by a hostile editor — Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.114.132.7 (talk) 15:18, 23 May 2012 (UTC)
Suggest Possible Inclusion Of Sexual Assault Accusations Against Det. Kevin Gannon
[edit]In April of last year, a 19 year-old student and volunteer searcher for then missing student Dan Zamlen accused Det. Gannon of sexual assault. The attack reportedly occurred on April 19, in Gannon's rental car. A car matching the description of Gannon's rental car was verified by security footage to be in the location the victim claims the attack occurred. Gannon reportedly skipped town before he could be questioned and has failed to return all calls from investigators.
http://www.twincities.com/rosario
Request that this info possibly be included as it directly pertains to the subject and as the alleged attack occured during the search efforts for then missing person Dan Zamlen, whom Gannon believed may have been a victim of the "smiley face killers". BoyintheMachine (talk) 19:00, 7 March 2010 (UTC)
- Sure does not pertain to the case. (talk→ BWilkins ←track) 20:13, 7 March 2010 (UTC)
It most certainly does and could go under a "controversy" sub-header, as the accusations were levelled during Gannon's involvement in the search for Dan Zamlen, with the understanding that Zamlen was possibly a victim of the "smiley face killers". BoyintheMachine (talk) 04:13, 8 March 2010 (UTC)
- If you want to create an article about Gannon, and find further WP:RS to support this claim, then it goes there. Otherwise, it's merely an attempt to discredit someone who put forth a theory - and this article is about the theory, not the person. Plus, with the "innocent until proven guilty" concept, an allegation that prosecutors will not follow up on further is certainly WP:UNDUE weight. (talk→ BWilkins ←track) 10:22, 8 March 2010 (UTC)
- I agree. That information belongs in an article about Gannon, not this one. Angryapathy (talk) 15:10, 8 March 2010 (UTC)
- I don't think Gannon on his own is notable enough for his own article, so that's out. DreamGuy (talk) 22:21, 9 March 2010 (UTC)
- I agree. That information belongs in an article about Gannon, not this one. Angryapathy (talk) 15:10, 8 March 2010 (UTC)
First of all, this is a noteworthy news story that is assoicated with this subject. It's not an attempt to discredit anybody as the theory itself was discredited long ago when it was rejected by the FBI and law enforcement, let alone criminal profiler Pat Brown's use of the word "ludicrous" to describe the theory. I can also speak nothing of the truthfulness of the accusations, only that such is appropriate for this article as it occured during the search for a supposed victim of the smiley face killers. We all know Gannon does not deserve a page by himself, it would simply redirect here. Unless you can give me something of substance other than "I don't agree", then I will go ahead and write the subheader under "Controversy". Unless, that is you can provide reason why a newstory associated with the smiley face killer theory should not be included in the wiki page of that theory. tick-tock...70.246.84.6 (talk) 00:32, 9 March 2010 (UTC)
- Why don't you add the text, either here or in the actual article, and we can then asses how well it fits in the article and if it belongs? ClovisPt (talk) 00:40, 9 March 2010 (UTC)
I think an accusation of sexual assault against a key person (possibly one of only three with any sort of credentials who takes the idea seriously) involved in a theory is veering off topic. On the other hand, the article cited above does mention that he showed up for the search but did nothing to assist with it, which is directly relevant to this article. Of course I don't know how we could cite it without including the title of the article. But then I don't know that we should censor valid information over fear that the article title is discriminatory, especially when it's clear the article sticks to the objective facts: who claims what. Are there any other sources criticizing their active investigation, or lack thereof? DreamGuy (talk) 22:21, 9 March 2010 (UTC)
Actually, this article would seem to be more thorough and on topic. DreamGuy (talk) 22:35, 9 March 2010 (UTC)
- There is no need to mention the allegations of sexual assault in this article until they show relevance to this article's subject. If Gannon doesn't deserve a page for himself then allegations regarding him should be even less noteworthy and deserving of even less coverage. The article mentioned by DreamGuy above would be a good place to go for current updates on the subject and a discussion of the families attitudes toward the theory. We need to be really careful because that "article" (more an editorial if you ask me) is so biased I can see the sardonic smirk on the writers face from here. That was written as a hatchet piece and should be handled as one, but the quotes and facts are still useful and it has the backing of editorial oversight.Padillah (talk) 13:16, 10 March 2010 (UTC)
Misleading chronology
[edit]I think there's a problem with the flow of events as described in the article that might be misleading our readers. Sensenbrenner's letter to the FBI was written before the FBI released the results of its reinvestigation. He clearly wrote it not knowing that they were already working on it. The way it is presented here, with it being mentioned after the FBI's report, gives the erroneous idea that he wrote it in response to the FBI report, which is not the case. The very thing he asked for was done. We do not know how he reacted to this report. We cannot make the article read like he doesn't accept that report when he knew nothing about it at the time he wrote it.
I imagine there's some way to rewrite all that so it's more clear, but I'd like others' input on it. DreamGuy (talk) 23:00, 9 March 2010 (UTC)
- Sounds like a good idea to rework the article, especially with the very thorough article written by Rosario. Angryapathy (talk) 14:10, 10 March 2010 (UTC)
- Agreed, the Rosario article is just what we need to fuel a decent rewrite of this and put some proper perspective on it. Getting those updated quotes into the article can only make the point clearer. Padillah (talk) 17:40, 10 March 2010 (UTC)
Theory not explained very well and doubts of credibility of Gannon need to be added
[edit]The article should show better how the theory came about.
Gannon became suspicious a serial killer may be at work when there was three drowning victims in a 15 month period. Larry Andrews, Patrick McNeil and Joshua Bender ,according to the NY Times, were “white males, between 19 and 22 years old, medium build, clean cut, from stable backgrounds. Two were college students. Three were said to be found floating in city waterways with no apparent signs of trauma. The cause of death was ruled drowning, but how each entered the water has not been determined. A fourth young man, Peter Caraguilo, was also found in a subway tunnel during this same period, with a fractured skull. According to the chief medical examiner on Patrick McNeil’s autopsy report there were lines on his neck and eggs in the groin area. Gannon believes the lines are ligature marks from being choked to death. DR . Cyril Wecht , a Forensic pathologist claimed an indoor fly layed the eggs so the body was already dead before it was placed in the water.
Then
A MIDWEST CONNECTION?
Rumors of a serial killer along Interstate 94 spread after six college-aged men vanished in the midwest starting late in 2002 and in less than a 3 month period of time. Most while walking home alone late at night after drinking at parties or bars. One of them was Chris Jenkins in Minneapolis whose death was reclassified from accidental to homicide when it was discovered that he was clutching his own hair in his hand. The Jenkins family waited 4 years for law enforcement to do a DNA test on Chris Jenkin’s hair. Many people in LaCrosse ,Wisconsin also believe there may be a serial killer at work. Some are suspicious because the victims were a similar profile, the drownings are often in clusters and items belonging to victims were found near the same indian statue in the park in Lacrosse. Detective Gannon has claimed that most of the LaCrosse ,Wisconsin victims left one of the same 2 bars before they were a victim.
The article gives the impression that Gannon believes the smiley faces are evidence.
THE START OF THE SMILEY FACE MURDER THEORY
According to Kristi Piehl the reporter that broke the story, a prison inmate claimed the smiley faces were being left as a signature of the killers. The prison inmate was reported to have gave information about the Chris Jenkin’s case that was not made public. He is reported to have claimed an organization called the Dealers of Death are involved and that he threw Chris Jenkin’s off a bridge. Though no one doubts the inmate may have murdered more than once , he is not believed to be credible by many because he has changed his story and some believe he is not big or strong enough to have thrown Chris Jenkin’s off a bridge. Detective Gannon has said the smiley faces themselves are not evidence of serial killers. They have said they found 13 distinct markers and that they think it validates a connection.
More of Pat Brown's comments would be good,but she said some of this on Blog Talk Radio. Maybe there is someone else that mentions a book deal and there is a source??
Something fishy about their story. What made them suddenly decide the midwest drownings could be connected to east coast drownings? Are these people even credible?
Smiley face Killer Theory Losing Steam
Much of the theory has been debunked. The smiley faces are not that similar,though many of them have horns. There is no criteria for specifying the distance from the victim or time the grafitti appears.There is also no evidence of trauma with most victims.
The detectives also have not helped their theory any by making an announcement that they would reveal the suspects on FOX TV and then not do so. It was compared to the program when Geraldo opened Al Capone’s vault and found nothing in it. Part of their theory is that the profiles of the young men are too similar. This has been debunked because accidental drowning victims often fit similar profiles.
Bill Szostak, a retired New York firefighter and arson investigator whose son died in Albany, N.Y., was the blunt about his dissatisfaction.
“I feel Kevin is like a sponge – he latches onto the families, sucks the life out of them, and when he has nothing else to suck, he dumps them,” said Szostak, who said he doesn’t remember one conversation he had with the ex-cop in which Gannon didn’t mention needing money to continue to investigate the deaths.
Another critic is the former KSTP-TV investigative reporter who “broke” the “smiley-face killer” story in April 2008 . She says she no longer buys into Gannon’s story. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.114.128.23 (talk) 22:52, 10 December 2010 (UTC)
Conspiracy theory label?
[edit]How in any way is this a conspiracy theory related event? I think this article was placed in the wrong category. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 130.157.102.43 (talk) 05:40, 11 October 2013 (UTC)
Starting over again
[edit]User:68.114.132.7 has been posting rcently regarding this article. Since some of this user's comments seem to be getting lost in the other sections above, so I figured it would be a good idea to start a new section since previous discussions haven't been updated for about a year.
To User:68.114.132.7, I only ask that you provide links and/or reference information for your claims. If no other editor on Wikipedia can verify the information, then it should not be added. Angryapathy (talk) 19:33, 23 May 2012 (UTC)
By all means start over again. Maybe this time you could even make sure comments are sourced without ignoring the ones that get into the article that you personally believe to be true. Also be more careful with the false comments and suggestions that this is comparable to the spaggetti monster or that no police agencies take this seriously. Comparing a serial killer theory to something like this is ridiculous. Healthy skepticism is a good thing and that entails questioning your own beliefs and motives and not just everyone elses. I keep seeing the outcry for sources but it is not like you read them if you agree with a statement being made. Also keep in mind it seems rude that you make a comment after ignoring sources have not always fit what was was put in the article.From what I can tell it was only making laying out some suggestions and pointing out some facts on a theory you need to be educated on before you should even be thinking about if this is a fringe theory or not. You are fighting any attempt to lay out the facts so as a reasonable decision can be made as to if this is a fringe theory and instead seem to start with the assumption this is a fringe theory and make your facts fit the beliefs you already had. You also act so above it all that you think people need all these sources even when they are not trying to add to the article and only making comments and suggestions,yet feel no need to justify your own beliefs. Your attitude is not just the attitude of someone stuck up ,it is one of people that are hypocrites. I really am doing you a favor by telling you people how messed up you are — Preceding unsigned comment added by 184.74.153.188 (talk) 15:15, 3 November 2012 (UTC)
- Please list the sources which are being ignored. Angryapathy (talk) 16:43, 3 November 2012 (UTC)
- And from an uninvolved editor to the IP editor above. Please confine your comments to the actual edits and refrain from making comments about the editors. That only leads to animosity and does nothing to help create a better article. See WP:AGF and WP:NPA Gtwfan52 (talk) 17:44, 3 November 2012 (UTC)
you were told a long time ago. you are not nor have ever been nuetral or even rational. If you are going to treat this and allow others to treat this as a fringe theory you need to know about the so called experts that do not support the theory. One is mentioned in this article
"Fox 9 Investigative Report on Ramsey County Medical Examiner's Office" Originally published: 12/1/10. Updated: 9/21/12
A 9-month long investigation by Fox 9 News raises serious concerns about a Minnesota medical examiner.
In the two-part series that aired on Nov. 22, 2010 reporter Jeff Baillion examines some of the determinations made by the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office and, in particular, by Dr. Michael McGee, the county's chief medical examiner for the past 25 years. The report by Fox 9 highlights potential errors that may have caused offenders to go free, or the innocent to be wrongfully imprisoned.
The attorney for one family faults McGee for not examining all the evidence in her shooting death. Mark Gherty, the attorney for the family of Jane Nuemann, says McGee reached the conclusion that her death was a suicide before examining death scene photos. The case was later sent to other experts from around the state who arrived at a different conclusion--homicide. Gherty believes her husband, Jim, got away with murder.
In two other cases, men were given life sentences for murder when evidence casting doubt on their guilt was never heard by the jury. Both accuse McGee of making serious errors in their cases.
In the summer of 1996 while on a family vacation, Thomas Rhodes, a young vice president of a business firm, was driving a boat when he claims his wife, Jane, fell overboard. He circled back and jumped in to look for her but was unable to find her in the water. Her bruised body was recovered the following day. Dr. McGee declared it a homicide, and Rhodes was indicted for her murder. During the trial, McGee presented a graphic clay model that illustrated bruising on her face and neck. Rhodes was convicted. In a bid for a new trial, two other forensic pathologists reviewed the autopsy findings. One said the bruises occurred after Mrs. Rhodes had died and that her death was an accidental drowning. Another pathologist called McGee's findings, "highly speculative and unsupported by the medical evidence." He apologized to Thomas Rhodes' parents for the mistakes of his colleague. Despite the new testimony, Rhodes was denied a new trial in 2007. He is still in prison.
Kent Jones was found guilty in two separate trials for the murder of Linda Jensen. Dr. McGee's findings of sexual assault and his subsequent testimony played a pivotal role in Jones' conviction. An independent review of his findings showed that Dr. McGee had miscalculated crucial test results. The miscalculation opened a 4-hour window in which another perpetrator could have killed Jensen. The timing matches an eye witness account from a mail carrier who saw a man leaving the house. The Innocence Project is working with Kent Jones to get his conviction overturned.
telling the truth is not an attack. get over it.You believed your own lies . — Preceding unsigned comment added by 184.74.153.188 (talk) 19:34, 7 November 2012 (UTC)
- The source for "Fox 9 Investigative Report on Ramsey County Medical Examiner's Office" is this, which is a page on blogspot, which means it is a blog, and has no editorial oversight. See WP:BLOGS. The page does however provide links to the FOX 9 investigation into Dr. McGee. (See [1] and [2]) However, the report does not mention anything about the "Smiley Face Murders". If you are implying that because a coroner allegedly made mistakes, and because of those mistakes, the ruled drownings are in fact murders, that would be a case of synthesis, which is not allowed on Wikipedia (see WP:Synthesis). If you can provide a reliable source (as per WP:Reliable sources) that explicitly states that McGee's alleged errors are inadvertantly covering up the "Smiley Face Murders," then it would be appropriate to add to a Wikipedia article. Angryapathy (talk) 21:22, 7 November 2012 (UTC)
Incomplete
[edit]This article is incomplete and needs to be expanded in more detail than what it currently is. The article is missing on the references and appearances to this theory and the suspected killer in popular culture which needs to be added to the article. Other details can be expanded upon as well.--Paleface Jack (talk) 17:24, 23 May 2017 (UTC)
Which 45?
[edit]There should be a list compiling their possible victims. Would anyone please get on it? I'm writing a story about the killer. Sea Captain Cormac 18:14, 25 May 2017 (UTC) — Preceding unsigned comment added by Cormac Nocton (talk • contribs)
Expansion
[edit]This article is too short and is missing information on the area's Background before and during the purported murders. This needs to be added to the article with proper citations from reliable sources given to each piece of information added. The section on the investigation is too short and will need to be expanded in more detail than what it currently has, as it's very brief and doesn't contain enough detail. If applicable, any references/appearances in popular culture will need to be added via a section of the same name. The structure of this section will need to be well written paragraphs rather than bullet points.--Paleface Jack 16:51, 28 April 2018 (UTC)
New Section
[edit]Hi guys! I am a college student and as part of my English class, we are going to be editing articles of our choice. Since the new Oxygen tv series came out, I wanted to add a section all about it. This will include information about the production, synopsis of the episodes, and information about the people involved in the series. As I do more research, there may be more added as well. This will look like any other Wikipedia page on a TV series but will be shorter and more concise. Let me know any suggestions or comments! I'm glad to be here!Hunter2714 (talk) 16:43, 8 April 2019 (UTC)
- B-Class Death articles
- Low-importance Death articles
- B-Class Skepticism articles
- Low-importance Skepticism articles
- WikiProject Skepticism articles
- B-Class Crime-related articles
- Mid-importance Crime-related articles
- B-Class Serial killer-related articles
- Mid-importance Serial killer-related articles
- Serial Killer task force
- WikiProject Crime and Criminal Biography articles