text:
User talk:Arc Promotions

Hello,

Your recent contributions are considered to be spam and have been reverted or deleted. Should you believe that your contributions are not spam, please argue your case on your talk page, or in WN:ALERT.

Further spamming may result in a 24 hour block. Please contribute to Wikinews in a constructive fashion instead. --SVTCobra 14:30, 5 May 2009 (UTC)

You have been blocked for an unacceptable username designed to promote your company or products. You are free to create another username unassociated with any of your business interests. --Brian McNeil / talk 14:47, 5 May 2009 (UTC)

title: User talk:Arc Promotions


text: User talk:67.78.122.30

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: User talk:67.78.122.30


text:
User talk:RuASG

tempo divalse  14:42, 5 May 2009 (UTC)

Eurovision interview
You translate it into Russian and I'll see what flrn can do about fixing the RSS feed for Russian. :) Mike Halterman (talk) 11:39, 8 May 2009 (UTC)

 * Hallo, Tarzan. I've already created the translation draft, it is at Story preparation/Past Eurovision contestants give advice to this year's performers, speculate on who will win/ru. I suggest the translation should be finished there, then copy-and-pasted it to the Russian Wikinews when it's done. (I've already translated the interview questions.) Cheers, Tempodivalse [talk]  20:46, 8 May 2009 (UTC)

 * Hello! I am sorry. I was busy. --  TarzanASG +1  05:00, 3 July 2009 (UTC)

title: User talk:RuASG


text:
User talk:Bolo~enwikinews

tempo divalse  14:45, 5 May 2009 (UTC)

Your account will be renamed
Hello,

The developer team at Wikimedia is making some changes to how accounts work, as part of our on-going efforts to provide new and better tools for our users like cross-wiki notifications. These changes will mean you have the same account name everywhere. This will let us give you new features that will help you edit and discuss better, and allow more flexible user permissions for tools. One of the side-effects of this is that user accounts will now have to be unique across all 900 Wikimedia wikis. See the announcement for more information.

Unfortunately, your account clashes with another account also called Bolo. To make sure that both of you can use all Wikimedia projects in future, we have reserved the name Bolo~enwikinews that only you will have. If you like it, you don't have to do anything. If you do not like it, you can pick out a different name.

Your account will still work as before, and you will be credited for all your edits made so far, but you will have to use the new account name when you log in.

Sorry for the inconvenience.

Yours, Keegan Peterzell Community Liaison, Wikimedia Foundation 23:12, 17 March 2015 (UTC)

Renamed
 This account has been renamed as part of single-user login finalisation. If you own this account you can |log in using your previous username and password for more information. If you do not like this account's new name, you can choose your own using this form after logging in: . -- Keegan (WMF) (talk) 06:29, 21 April 2015 (UTC)

title: User talk:Bolo~enwikinews


text:
User talk:68.36.105.146

Hi, please don't create pages that aren't news, as we are specifically Wikinews. I'm afraid your articles were deleted. Please read Content guide to find out what is and is not appropriate for Wikinews. Thanks, tempo divalse  14:47, 5 May 2009 (UTC)

 * Please don't continue to create pages that are not news entries. If you wish to experiment, please use our sandbox. Thank you. tempo divalse  14:53, 5 May 2009 (UTC)

 * Wikipedia is thataway>>>> . If you persist in creating non-news articles you will be given a short block to discourage such. --Brian McNeil / talk 15:06, 5 May 2009 (UTC)

title: User talk:68.36.105.146


text:
User talk:Letter Ezh

tempo divalse  14:49, 5 May 2009 (UTC)

title: User talk:Letter Ezh


text:
User talk:72.2.14.227

Thanks for experimenting with Wikinews. Your test worked, and has now been reverted or removed. Please use Sandbox for any other tests you want to do, since testing in articles may disrupt the site's working and will be reverted quickly. Thank you, tempo divalse  16:47, 5 May 2009 (UTC)

title: User talk:72.2.14.227


text:
User talk:79.79.220.104

I'm glad you like my creativity with usernames

Not sure I should be talking to you as I think that'll get me banned ... and I've only come for a look.

It's very strange reading the editing pages and comments. There clearly is some kind of hangover from wikipedia with the idea that everything has to be perfect before it can be "published", which seems to me to be the antithesis of journalism where what counts is speed.

Anyway, please to meet you - ??? no idea whom I writing to! 79.79.220.104 17:08, 5 May 2009 (UTC)

 * In response to your question on my talk page, the "cannot edit own talk page" comments are automated, and appear when I set certain functions in the block user page. All that means is that the user is "hard blocked" - i.e., can't edit any page on the site. Generally, blocked users can edit their talk page, so that they can argue their ban, but occasionally this privilege is removed due to abuse. (BTW don't worry, you can talk freely here without fear of being blocked unless you are disruptive, which you certainly aren't.) tempo divalse  17:19, 5 May 2009 (UTC)
 * Oh yes I am! 79.79.220.104 17:39, 5 May 2009 (UTC)

 * Also, since you seem to be interested in how Wikinews works, I'd suggest you take a look at our introduction page, that should help you out. If you have any questions or comments, don't hesitate to ask me at my talk page. Cheers, tempo divalse  17:34, 5 May 2009 (UTC)
 * Yes that did help: particularly where it says: "for an international audience", which is understandable but quite different from my own requirements. 79.79.220.104 17:46, 5 May 2009 (UTC)
 * Yes, but that doesn't mean you can't report on local stories - quite the contrary, local news is highly valued, especially when it comes with original reporting. tempo divalse  19:05, 5 May 2009 (UTC)
 * But seriously, I've found it very interesting to read through the pages. I have to admit that I've started down a very different model to the wikinews one, but I can see some very worrying facets already. I was thinking about the wiki approach to news recording, but clearly it comes with some major drawbacks most notably being the time to create a collaborative well sourced article versus the quick, but dirty and biased news that seems to be the alternative. Clearly a big problem is that if you insist on well sourced articles, then it is difficult to "break" news because by definition it has to wait until a large number of other sources have broken the news.

 * Also, I'm used to news discussion forum, where the news is posted as a quick summary with a link to one or more sites and then the focus is on discussing the news. The real essence of news is "currency", and part of my incentive to post news on the forum was "being first", even if that meant I sacrificed a NPOV and had to limit the sources. But great food for thought. I've given up any hope of "spontaneous" contributions to my project and now realise that the only people who will contribute are those whom I have bribed, blackmailed or otherwise coerced ... or more likely me, me, me.

 * AND WELL DONE for all your effort. project like this don't go anywhere without a few very dedicated people willing to put up with a lot of crap from "paintedladywithpantsonhead" or whatever that user calls themselves who was clearly trying to wind you up. Still, I'd love to know what their motivation was to be disruptive? And now they can't answer! 79.79.220.104 17:39, 5 May 2009 (UTC)

 * Most vandals like that one generally do it for laughs, or due to a lack of anything else to do. Usually, we can block the IP address creating these accounts, to stop them from creating more disruptive usernames, but this user is smarter than most vandals, and appears to be making use of open proxies to get around the block. All we can do now is ban the accounts as soon as they are created, checkuser them, and hope that the buffoon finally gets bored and goes away. tempo divalse  17:50, 5 May 2009 (UTC)

I've come here without creating an account to make sure I don't get blocked before explaining to you. I do it to pass the time before other more interesting stuff loads on my computer. I actually do have quite a bit of respect for people who work here as the actual act of getting stuff written and out isn't that easy - I actually felt guilty after some offensive names that named particular users early on, and stopped that. It ain't the most exciting thing to do, but as I said, it passes the time and it's better than nothing. 67.159.26.83 18:15, 5 May 2009 (UTC)

 * Well, if you want to pass the time, why not contribute to Wikinews constructively, instead of wasting our - and your - time with creating these disruptive accounts? Write an article, or help an article that needs fixing up - not only will you helping the project this way, but yourself as well: writing articles can significantly improve one's English and is always educational. tempo divalse  18:22, 5 May 2009 (UTC)

title: User talk:79.79.220.104


text:
User talk:201.76.50.34

Thanks for experimenting with Wikinews. Your test worked, and has now been reverted or removed. Please use Sandbox for any other tests you want to do, since testing in articles may disrupt the site's working and will be reverted quickly. Thank you, tempo divalse  20:31, 5 May 2009 (UTC)

title: User talk:201.76.50.34


text: Talk:Dozens killed after gunmen storm Turkish wedding reception


text:
Talk:Nine die in bush-fires in South Australia

editprotected Request to add category: South Australia

-- Miropolitan (talk) 23:35, 5 May 2009 (UTC)

 * ✅ tempo divalse  23:39, 5 May 2009 (UTC)


text:
Talk:Flooding in South Australia

editprotected Request to add category: South Australia

-- Miropolitan (talk) 23:37, 5 May 2009 (UTC)

 * ✅ tempo divalse  23:39, 5 May 2009 (UTC)

title: Talk:Flooding in South Australia


text:
Talk:Southern Australian munitions factory explodes

editprotected Request to add category: South Australia

-- Miropolitan (talk) 23:39, 5 May 2009 (UTC)

 * ✅ tempo divalse  23:40, 5 May 2009 (UTC)


text:
Talk:NASA chooses Woomera, South Australia for rocket launch site

editprotected Request to add category: South Australia

-- Miropolitan (talk) 23:40, 5 May 2009 (UTC)

 * ✅ tempo divalse  23:41, 5 May 2009 (UTC)


text:
Talk:South Australian Premier Rann wants apology from Hicks

editprotected Request to add category: South Australia

-- Miropolitan (talk) 23:41, 5 May 2009 (UTC)

 * ✅ tempo divalse  00:11, 6 May 2009 (UTC)


text:
Talk:South Australian educational blog shut down

editprotected Request to add category: South Australia

-- Miropolitan (talk) 23:42, 5 May 2009 (UTC)

 * ✅ tempo divalse  00:10, 6 May 2009 (UTC)


text:
American comedic actor Dom DeLuise dies at age 75

May 6, 2009

American actor Dom DeLuise has died, according to reports from his family. DeLuise had been battling cancer previously.

Born in 1933 in Brooklyn, New York, DeLuise came to be known for his roles in several Mel Brooks movies: The Twelve Chairs, Blazing Saddles, Silent Movie, History of the World, Spaceballs, and Robin Hood: Men in Tights. DeLuise also co-starred with Burt Reynolds in several movies: The Cannonball Run and Cannonball Run II, Smokey and the Bandit II, The End, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and All Dogs Go to Heaven. He was also well known for his role as the talent agent "Bernie" in The Muppet Movie. His most recent role was a cameo in the movie Horrorween, which is currently in production.

On television, DeLuise was a frequent guest star on The Dean Martin Show, and had his own show, The Dom DeLuise Show, in two incarnations: one in 1968 and one in 1987. He hosted the television show Candid Camera in 1991, and voiced Tiger in Fievel's American Tails the following year. DeLuise also made numerous cameos in other live-action and animated shows.

DeLuise was also an avid chef, authoring two cookbooks and making numerous appearances as a cook on morning television shows. He also wrote several children books. He died in his sleep on May 4, 2009, in a Santa Monica hospital in California.


text:
Talk:Australian David Hicks is released from Yatala Labour Prison

Category
editprotected

Request to add category: South Australia

-- Miropolitan (talk) 00:05, 6 May 2009 (UTC)

 * ✅ tempo divalse  00:07, 6 May 2009 (UTC)


text:
Talk:Anglican Church offers landmark compensation deal

Category
editprotected

Request to add category: South Australia

-- Miropolitan (talk) 00:58, 6 May 2009 (UTC)

 * ✅ tempo divalse  00:59, 6 May 2009 (UTC)


text:
Talk:Labor claims victory in two Australian state elections

Category
editprotected

Request to add category: South Australia

-- Miropolitan (talk) 01:03, 6 May 2009 (UTC)

 * ✅ tempo divalse  01:19, 6 May 2009 (UTC)


text:
User:JeremyMcCracken/monobook.js

addOnloadHook(contribstab); //means «execute func_start later» function contribstab { if (wgNamespaceNumber == 2 || wgNamespaceNumber == 3) { //If we're in User or User talk namespace var pagename; var name1; var name2; name1=wgPageName.indexOf(":"); //Find the colon to separate User: prefix if (name1 != -1) { //Skip it if we didn't find a colon name1=name1+1; pagename=wgPageName.substring(name1); } else { pagename=wgPageName; //if no colon, assume we have the user name already } name2=pagename.indexOf("/"); //If it's a subpage, get root name if (name2 > 0){ //if we found a slash earlier pagename=pagename.substring(0,name2); } addPortletLink ('p-cactions', '/wiki/Special:Contributions/'+pagename, 'C', 1, 'View this user\'s contributions'); //Add the button } //resumes here for non-user/UT pages } //Modified from my Wikipedia script //Original file location http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:JeremyMcCracken/contribstab.js

addOnloadHook(logstab); //means «execute func_start later» function logstab { if (wgNamespaceNumber == 2 || wgNamespaceNumber == 3) { //If we're in User or User talk namespace var pagename; var name1; var name2; name1=wgPageName.indexOf(":"); //Find the colon to separate User: prefix if (name1 != -1) { //Skip it if we didn't find a colon name1=name1+1; pagename=wgPageName.substring(name1); } else { pagename=wgPageName; //if no colon, assume we have the user name already } name2=pagename.indexOf("/"); //If it's a subpage, get root name if (name2 > 0){ //if we found a slash earlier pagename=pagename.substring(0,name2); } addPortletLink ('p-cactions', '/w/index.php?title=Special:Log&page=User:'+pagename, 'L', 1, 'View this user\'s logs'); //Add the button } //resumes here for non-user/UT pages }

title: User:JeremyMcCracken/monobook.js


text:
Comments:Congressional computers continue to be used to vandalize Wikipedia

This is beyond childish. It's great to see those in Washington are so mature nowadays.
 * PROTIP: Nothing has changed!  Fephisto (talk) 12:52, 9 May 2009 (UTC)

Congressional computers continue to be used...
The key word is VANDALIZE. A more objective term might be EDIT.
 * a less appropriate term too24.30.16.34 03:27, 6 May 2009 (UTC)
 * It says some edits were to correct grammatical errors, that's not vandalizing anything. If it is, 90% of Wikipedia editors should be banned for vandalism.--64.90.84.103 23:18, 6 May 2009 (UTC)
 * There would not be a story if they were making grammatical/constructive edits a majority of the time. This is not the first, second, third or fourth time this happened. This is the Fifth time. The issue I think is, that they are using government funded and operated computers, while on company/congressional time to do these things, constructive or not. I might be wrong on this (seriously speaking), but I don't think it's in the job description of members of Congress or their staff to edit Wikipedia, even on lunch breaks. Their own IP address, used by another Congressional member or worker, states that as well. DragonFire1024 (Talk to the Dragon) 23:45, 6 May 2009 (UTC)
 * Let's also clear something up. Vandalism on Wikipedia is not just the addition of offensive words or terms. Vandalism, in terms of Wikipedia policy while 'editing', is "any addition, removal, or change of content made in a deliberate attempt to compromise the integrity of Wikipedia. Common types of vandalism are the addition of obscenities or crude humor, page blanking, and the insertion of nonsense into articles." With that said, these congressional individuals are responsible for all types of this 'vandalism'. DragonFire1024 (Talk to the Dragon) 23:50, 6 May 2009 (UTC)
 * The point of view of Congressmen should be involved in the writing of articles too, you know. They put out campaign ads, they do phonebanking and other things, why not campaign via editing Wikipedia? It makes perfect sense from their point of view. 206.74.5.136 04:53, 8 May 2009 (UTC)

Why?
As an admin over at Wikipedia, why haven't we just blocked the things wholesale yet? It would clearly avoid a whole lot of embarrassment for many people. Circeus (talk) 04:02, 6 May 2009 (UTC)
 * Er, the Foundation can't really turn round and say, "fuck the government". Besides, actually knowing this is the source of contentious edits means said edits can be more quickly assessed. --Brian McNeil / talk 06:58, 8 May 2009 (UTC)

Yes that wouldn't help, the system is that they would anyhow have the channels to anonimously edit.../ mh there for jobdescription^^ crude oaths and simple loyalty's. 62.194.221.212 (talk) 21:16, 11 May 2009 (UTC)

This is sad
So, these are the people we've elected into office? The same teenage boys who draw devil horns on historical figures in their textbooks? The same people who draw obscene pictures on bathroom stalls? This is our Congress? And let's not forget that these people also have a problem with twittering during presidential speeches.
 * No wonder why we have such uninformed laws. --Phil1988 (talk) 18:01, 7 May 2009 (UTC)

Matter of Opinion
"They used the official House of Representatives gateway and removed a section of information relating to inaccurate comments Austria made about The Great Depression. Austria stated in an interview with The Columbus Dispatch in February that Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal in 1935, caused the U.S. to go into a depression.

''"When Roosevelt did this, he put our country into a Great Depression. ... He tried to borrow and spend, he tried to use the Keynesian approach, and our country ended up in a Great Depression. That's just history," said Austria during the February 11 interview. He later admitted that his statement was wrong saying Roosevelt's spending "did not have the desired effect," which caused the depression."''

The Chicago and Austria schools of economic thought (I adhere to the Chicago school) both hold the view that the New Deal intensified and prolonged the Great Depression. I have never seen a sensible rational for New Deal helping and so although I can't say this is historical *fact*, since it is a theory, it is as far as I can see the best theory and in more casual conversation I would certainly assert this is what actually happened. 77.251.241.202 08:12, 6 May 2009 (UTC)

 * Yes. A longer quote is "Roosevelt's attempt to use significant spending to get us out of the Depression did not have the desired effect". The article appears to misunderstand the word "desired" and twist the phrase into meaning "did not have the effect I previously said it did", when of course it means "did not have the effect desired by Roosevelt". This part of the article needs rewriting, for the sake of fairness. The words "which caused the depression" give a misleading impression, or are just plain wrong, and should not be tacked on to the end of the quote. 213.122.20.3 (talk) 04:02, 19 May 2009 (UTC)

this article is awsome

I think continental european history has it that 'new deal' wasn't well received at that time.The effect on the recession appears marginal in every sense. It can be a matter of opinion that this case is a matter of "picking" on roosevelt(democrat my guess?). Such information can be very informative when it is about a politician. It is also informative politic(ian)s are a source of the continuous adding of new such matters of opinion on wikipedia. Not a surprise tho, since they make a living in the sneaky and on a huge scale with massmedia and campaigns, they expect it will allways work.62.194.221.212 (talk) 21:35, 11 May 2009 (UTC)

Hope they don't edit Wikinews too
I can see it now: "Congressional Computers Continue to Make Helpful and Relevant Contributions to Wikipedia."

Editing Comments:Congressional computers continue to be used to vandalize Wikipedia
Sounds like that Wikipedia needs to filter out the US Congress's IP addresses to no longer allow them to edit Wikipedia pages. This is so Stupid! Like no one would notice.

Bias
So, has there been any other edits/vandelism by the opposing party, or is it acceptable for the Democrats to edit? Could this by why congressional IP's are not tagged?

=Corrupt= This deserves more than an apology. I find this more distressing than the expected corruption in US politics, Wikipedia is an amazing collection of information that an enormous amount of people use to get information on whatever subject interests them, including politicians! The fact that some members of government are using it to sabotage the pages of rivals or whitewash their own should be a crime. The instance of an ip address that is linked with the government posting that a member of congress is part of the Nazi party is considered slander, if I'm not mistaken, and that is a crime. The fact that the EFF is not allowing a request under the FOIA is also completely ludicrous. I commend wiki news for developing this story and I am surprised that the mainstream media has not picked up on this in any real manner.
 * You are incorrect - and possibly an aspect of the article is misleading. The EFF were consulted, their response was that the information we would like would not be accessible via a FOIA request. I am sure if it had been they would have advised on drafting it. --Brian McNeil / talk 15:42, 12 May 2009 (UTC)

I'm sorry I should have clarified, I believe that the fact it is NOT covered by the FOIA is preposterous.

Typical Republican can't stand that FDR was liked so he tries to vilfy him long after he is dead. Republicans need to grow up and act like men not Frat Boys.


text: User:SpeakOut

title: User:SpeakOut


text:
User:Betax~enwikinews

User
I operate 8 bots, including SpeakOut. I have a lot of work done on my Wikipedia page, so please click here for more details. Thank you for cooperating. 'BetaX 21:54, 27 May 2009 (UTC)

title: User:Betax~enwikinews


text:
User talk:Betax~enwikinews

tempo divalse  02:58, 6 May 2009 (UTC)
 * Thank you for the nice welcome

'BetaX 21:51, 27 May 2009 (UTC)

Your account will be renamed
Hello,

The developer team at Wikimedia is making some changes to how accounts work, as part of our on-going efforts to provide new and better tools for our users like cross-wiki notifications. These changes will mean you have the same account name everywhere. This will let us give you new features that will help you edit and discuss better, and allow more flexible user permissions for tools. One of the side-effects of this is that user accounts will now have to be unique across all 900 Wikimedia wikis. See the announcement for more information.

Unfortunately, your account clashes with another account also called Betax. To make sure that both of you can use all Wikimedia projects in future, we have reserved the name Betax~enwikinews that only you will have. If you like it, you don't have to do anything. If you do not like it, you can pick out a different name.

Your account will still work as before, and you will be credited for all your edits made so far, but you will have to use the new account name when you log in.

Sorry for the inconvenience.

Yours, Keegan Peterzell Community Liaison, Wikimedia Foundation 23:14, 17 March 2015 (UTC)

Renamed
 This account has been renamed as part of single-user login finalisation. If you own this account you can |log in using your previous username and password for more information. If you do not like this account's new name, you can choose your own using this form after logging in: . -- Keegan (WMF) (talk) 06:29, 21 April 2015 (UTC)

title: User talk:Betax~enwikinews


text:
User talk:173.71.63.222

Thanks for experimenting with Wikinews. Your test worked, and has now been reverted or removed. Please use Sandbox for any other tests you want to do, since testing in articles may disrupt the site's working and will be reverted quickly. Thank you, tempo divalse  03:57, 6 May 2009 (UTC)

title: User talk:173.71.63.222


text:
User talk:Mike Halterman/archive1

Welcome
TheCustomOfLife, welcome to Wikinews! I hope you like the place and decide to stay. Here are a few good links for newcomers:

Our key policies - if you read anything, read these! Here a few pointers to help you get to know Wikinews: There are always things to do on Wikinews: By the way, you can sign your name on Talk pages using four tildes ( ~~~~ ), which produces your name and the current date. If you have any questions, you can ask them at the water cooler or to anyone on the Welcommittee, or ask me on my Talk page. Again, welcome! Dan100 (Talk) 14:17, 27 Apr 2005 (UTC)
 * Neutral point of view - tell every side to a story in a fair and balanced way
 * Cite sources - everything in a Wikinews article must be sourced
 * Introduction - overview of the site
 * Writing an article - how to write and publish a complete article
 * Content guide - what's suitable for Wikinews
 * Style guide - how articles should look before publishing
 * Contents - the contents page.
 * Existing articles need expanding and checking for spelling and mistakes
 * The front page lead articles often need updating
 * Developing stories need finishing and publishing
 * Discussions need your input
 * Audio Wikinews could always use more contributors
 * And of course, stories need writing!

Portal:Canada leads
2nd lead change in Portal:Canada seems OK to me. Hopefully all this improves the topicality of the national portal. Thx. DL+1613 03:33, 26 November 2007 (UTC)

Redirect or ?
Hello, TheCustomOfLife. You have a prep file off your user page that redirects eventually to the Andrea Muizelaar article. Would you like it deleted now, or is there a need to leave the redirect? Cheers, Jcart1534 04:26, 30 November 2007 (UTC)
 * ✅ Jcart1534 11:20, 30 November 2007 (UTC)

leads
Comments here you may like to respond to. Thanks --Mark Talk to me 10:39, 6 December 2007 (UTC)

Sorry, wasn´t clear on that
I´m sorry, I didn´t realize it would be normal to inform you. Brian had left me a message a few days ago saying I should put my next story on second lead, so I reckoned it would be OK. I´ll try to communicate with the previous authors before I do something similiar again. Sean Heron 10:41, 6 December 2007 (UTC)

 * Replied on your page. I don't mind being bold, but I would have just liked to know so I could have made plans to move my article as well. TheCustomOfLife 11:15, 6 December 2007 (UTC)

Jessica Sierra
Any word with that picture? It could be awkward, as looking closer it seems she could be God-knows-where due to her rehab. Would you prefer I just asked Verge to supply us a publicity image? Blood Red Sandman (Talk)   (Contribs) 16:18, 9 February 2008 (UTC)

 * No problem, I get like that in the real world sometimes, only quite badly, and the only remedy is to just take a break. I'll send them a message when I stop doing the van Canto questions. Blood Red Sandman  (Talk)   (Contribs) 18:59, 9 February 2008 (UTC)

Helping
I am helping this website as I have just created two articles. Don't refer to me as a troll, I understand that civility is not policy here, but being mean to people is just not right. Thank you.--Uga Man - (talk) 23:03, 14 February 2008 (UTC)

Wikinews Editorials
Hello. You asked to be included on the discussion about Wikinews Editorials. I have begun such discussion here: Please feel free to comment. --David Shankbone - (talk) 16:35, 15 February 2008 (UTC)

Operette / operetta
Hi Mike, thanks for reviewing my contribution, Operetta is actually not only German, but also Dutch. And that is my primary language... But I'm learning... :D regards, Theo Assen - (talk) 09:08, 16 February 2008 (UTC)

Raus
Raus is an abbreviation of the German word "Heraus", which would be translated as "Out". In WWII in Germany there was a kind of slogan among the nazis: "Juden Raus!" meaning "Jewish people out!". Theo Assen - (talk) 09:12, 16 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I noticed your addition. Thanks, I will try to remember for the future to translate where necessary. Theo Assen - (talk) 09:17, 16 February 2008 (UTC)

help needed
Maybe I can ask for your help again: I put the story on Heesters on Portal:Netherlands since there was an ancient story there. Would you please check the contribution? Thanks in advance. Also: I uploaded the picture from the English Wikipedia, with the same description. Is that ok? Theo Assen - (talk) 09:50, 16 February 2008 (UTC)

RE: Leads
The current system is causing the word third lead item to be split across the screen. It starts on the right, under lead 2, but the last portion of the lead appears on the left hand side, under the first lead item. It is definately not a design feature. --GW_SimulationsUser Page 12:21, 16 February 2008 (UTC)

WN:AR
You oppose of "maybe in a few weeks time and an OR piece". I just wanted to make sure that you've seen the 2 OR articles he has written here?

 * Half of life could go extinct by century's end, warn eminent biologists
 * Protesters demonstrate at US Coast Guard Academy

--Steven Fruitsmaak (Reply) 14:05, 19 February 2008 (UTC)

 * Wow that's quite strict, I don't know if myself or other less active accredited reporters meet those criteria all the time... Anyway thanks for clearing that up, I'll close his AR as unsuccessful. --Steven Fruitsmaak (Reply) 14:19, 19 February 2008 (UTC)

IRC
are you on IRC? –Doldrums(talk) 11:20, 2 March 2008 (UTC)

Jimmy article
Responded on my talk page. Cirt - (talk) 10:21, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

September? Really?
Sorry to be a stickler, but your September 2007 contributions seem to be to talk and comments pages, and there are only three of them. --SVTCobra 04:42, 8 March 2008 (UTC)

 * I started planning different interviews in September, even if I didn't actually put them into practice. People in chat can vouch that I started there in September as well. Speaking of, how come you don't come to chat? TheCustomOfLife - (talk) 04:45, 8 March 2008 (UTC)

 * Well, you already know how that goes. I just end up asking you to set up dates for me with former Top Model contestants. By the way, Andrea Muizelaar never called. --SVTCobra 04:55, 8 March 2008 (UTC)

Hi
That was me on Wikipedia IRC until my browser crashed --Anonymous101 (talk · contribs) 07:17, 30 March 2008 (UTC)
 * Now you have to believe me. --Anonymous101 (talk · contribs) 07:18, 30 March 2008 (UTC)
 * I do now. It was just weird seeing you in #wikipedia and with another number at the end of your name. TheCustomOfLife - (talk) 07:54, 30 March 2008 (UTC)

title: User talk:Mike Halterman/archive1


text:
User talk:Mike Halterman/archive2

Re: News briefs:April 08, 2008
Not sure how I missed the WN attributions in mensnewsdaily.com myself. Have reverted the news briefs article. Funny how sometimes a website will actually carry WN material :-0 DL+1613 - (talk) 03:20, 9 April 2008 (UTC)

Thanks
Thanks for corrrecting the french on my user page --A101 - (talk) 07:27, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

Connecto, Connectere, Connexi, Connexum --> Connexio(n-) --> Connexion
Please see Talk:Zimbabwe begins vote recount. Harris Morgan - (talk) 20:49, 19 April 2008 (UTC).

A missed opportunity
You should have waited on your Y&R interview to include Kathy Hilton - and then snuck in a few questions about her daughter ;) Chris Mann (Say hi!|Stalk me!) 02:30, 21 April 2008 (UTC)

WN:TO-DO
I have started WN:TO-DO as a place to list what should be daily or weekly points to check for regular contributors. Some parts are admin-only (e.g. Archiving) but others are things that anyone can get involved with. Feel free to add additional points and spread the word about this shortcut to get people helping do Wikignome tasks. --Brian McNeil / talk 15:53, 4 May 2008 (UTC)

WN:FA
Popular soap opera 'The Young and the Restless' celebrates 35 years on the air - closed as promoted WN:FA. Nice work! Cheers, Cirt (talk) 02:00, 24 May 2008 (UTC)

Åse Kleveland interview
It seems to be looking good right now with lots of good questions coming in. I will try and find some time to think of some of my own sometime soon. Tonight, maybe. Blood Red Sandman (Talk)   (Contribs) 06:34, 2 July 2008 (UTC)

Are you planning on asking all the questions submitted by users? If you are, the interview will be very long. Anonymous101 (talk) 20:40, 2 July 2008 (UTC)

Anonymous questions
I suggest that you do some research into the anonymous questions submitted for the Åse Kleveland interview. I am not sure that the presumptions made by the questioner are true. (example: "Norway ... let[s] older buildings ... fall into dereliction, label them not worth salvaging, and demolish them. Later on, these buildings will be replaced by buildings constructed in concrete, steel and glass.") Really? Is there any kind of proof for this? Is it any different than any other country and is Åse Kleveland the right person to ask about this?

So I ask you to discriminate among the questions that are actually submitted to Åse Kleveland. --SVTCobra 01:31, 3 July 2008 (UTC)

 * I'd tell you some more on how the person made such conclusions, but the person wants to remain completely anonymous. Be assured that the person knows what they are talking about in that aspect, and I can personally vouch. I discussed the questions with the user for nearly 30 minutes before I brought them over, so I did "check the questions," and kind of resent the implication that I wouldn't. Also, don't forget that not every question submitted will be used. Mike Halterman (talk) 01:51, 3 July 2008 (UTC)
 * You can vouch for a statement like "these buildings will be replaced by buildings constructed in concrete, steel and glass"? That is pretty bold to say the least, considering we are talking about future events. Good luck with that ... forgive me if I am not so trusting. --SVTCobra 02:31, 3 July 2008 (UTC)
 * Maybe not "will be." Perhaps "have been"? Mike Halterman (talk) 02:59, 3 July 2008 (UTC)

Arbitration Committee/Elections July 2008
You should have asked on the talk page, but it's ok, I've added you as the third one on the election committee! --Steven Fruitsmaak (Reply) 18:55, 6 July 2008 (UTC)

Reminder: WN:ACE08
Hi, as you are a member of the Wikinews Arbitration Committee Election Coordinators, I am just letting you know that the voting is supposed to be open now. It is supposed to run July 18, 2008, 20:00 UTC to July 31, 2008, 20:00 UTC. Cheers, --SVTCobra 22:44, 18 July 2008 (UTC)

 * just because we started a few hours late doesn't mean we should add a whole day; also the election must end before the previous terms expire. --SVTCobra 14:33, 19 July 2008 (UTC)

I'm not sure why you reverted the changing of the date on the page. Being on the election committee doesn't mean you can do what you like with the election. Also, I noticed that you said the winner would be "based loosely on the votes." It shouldn't be based loosely on the votes, ot should follow the votes exactly. Anonymous101 (talk) 13:01, 20 July 2008 (UTC)

 * I think it is interesting that the "Election Coordinators" who as far as I know have not been selected by the community, can unilaterally decide how they are going to run the election. Considering that there seems to be a suggestion that this was a mistake by these users in starting the election late then I don't think it is really reasonable for any of the coordinators to appear to belittle other contributors attempts to facilitate the smooth running of the process. Adambro (talk) 13:28, 20 July 2008 (UTC)

Pardon me, Mike, but who are you to unilaterally decide for the entire project that Not having a sitting ArbCom for a day won't kill? There has to be a more pressing reason (and explanation given) to extend the elections. --SVTCobra 19:02, 20 July 2008 (UTC)

Arbitration Committee/Elections July 2008
Can I suggest that rather than removing invalid votes you instead strike them and follow them with an explanation. Otherwise people have to start searching through the page history to understand where the votes disappeared to. Adambro (talk) 22:23, 25 July 2008 (UTC)

 * Past elections such as Arbitration Committee/Elections July 2007 used the striking feature, followed by a comment by the Election Committee for why it was striken. --SVTCobra 23:19, 25 July 2008 (UTC)

The Barnstar of Diligence
Thanks for all of your hard work and patience during all this! Cirt (talk) 02:32, 2 August 2008 (UTC)

Message from IRC User drivamgr2008Spri (User:Tmalmjursson)
Hi. This is a mass message to those I know on IRC from Wikinews and Wikinews EN. Please refer to my userpage for an important message concerning my IRC Presence. Thanks! Thor Malmjursson (talk) 14:08, 2 August 2008 (UTC)

Question
So, been away from Wikinews for a while (early June). Made a couple of edits today, and saw something new: the "Edits will be incorporated into the stable version once an established user reviews them" message. How does one go about being an "established user" so I can review my own stuff? It's incredibly minor stuff, and I think I'm trustworthy enough for people not to worry that I'm secretly inserting penis pictures into articles. ;) EVula // talk // 03:46, 11 August 2008 (UTC)

Story preparation/Åse Kleveland
What is the status of this? I removed the flag from its entry on the water cooler.--SVTCobra 22:56, 25 August 2008 (UTC)
 * Tore has had a lot of trouble trying to get in contact with her. It'll happen as soon as we actually get in contact with her at the Rikskonsertene. Mike Halterman (talk) 02:48, 28 August 2008 (UTC)

Third party U.S. presidential candidates hold debate
Could you do a peer review for the article above? Thanks. --WNewsReporter (talk) 23:21, 1 November 2008 (UTC)

WikiVoices
Hi Mike, I noticed you're active. Like to join our Skype session for Wikinews today? Durova (talk) 18:29, 3 November 2008 (UTC) Copying the chart from my user talk: * Monday, November 3 2:00:00 PM – Los Angeles * Monday, November 3 5:00:00 PM – New York City * Monday, November 3 10:00:00 PM – London * Tuesday, November 4, 2008 at 6:00:00 AM – Beijing * Tuesday, November 4, 2008 at 9:00:00 AM - Syndey Best, Durova (talk) 18:52, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

From the Philippines
Magandang Gabi po! Hi! It's 8:40 p.m. saturday here in Bulacan, Philippines. It's an honor to be visited here by a noted accrediter reported from Tampa, Florida. When I contributed in Wikipedia English Filipino editors were invited to contribute to Tagalog Wikipedia. w:User:Felipe Aira is promoting Tagalog Wikipedia. However, there are few takers since, it is so difficult to compose or edit a Tagalog article amid more than 20 other Filipino dialects, like Cebuano, Ilonggo, etc. I love this Wiki, since it is less congested. Edits cannot just be made unless approved and re-published. Cheers.--Florentino Floro (talk) 12:40, 6 December 2008 (UTC)

Main Page lead bumping
Sorry about bumping your interview off the front page, for some reason I thought that that particular article had been up there for several days (must have confused it with that other interview you did a few days ago). I'll check the page history for the datestamp next time before I update the leads. Best regards, ♪Tempo di Valse ♪ 22:45, 5 March 2009 (UTC)

Ruslana
The English Wikinews is publishing an interview with the singer Ruslana. I was wondering if you'd like to translate it to Ukrainian for the Ukrainian Wikinews. It would have to be done quickly so please let me know on my talk page either at en.wikipedia or en.wikinews because I won't be back here to check. Thank you in advance! Mike Halterman 17:16, 30 березня 2009 (UTC)
 * Sure. Just supply the link to the article and I will start translating. --Hillock65 (talk) 19:10, 30 March 2009 (UTC)

title: User talk:Mike Halterman/archive2


text:
UK Home Secretary announces ID card pilot launch

May 6, 2009

U.K. Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has announced a voluntary pilot scheme for identity cards. Greater Manchester has been chosen for the pilot and passport holders over sixteen will be able to submit applications for the card at post offices and pharmacies. A number of other high street retailers are negotiating with the government to be permitted to take photographs and fingerprints for the scheme.

Opposition leaders stand against the planned compulsory nationwide scheme, calling for the £5.3 billion programme to be scrapped. The pricetag does not include the costs that agencies and other government departments will incur procuring equipment to verify the cards.

The trial is also supposed to be in effect at London City and Manchester airports. This is opposed by the British Air Line Pilots Association (BALPA), claiming it is effectively compulsory; in order to get airside passes pilots will have to produce one of the new national identity cards.

BALPA general secretary, Jim McAuslan, emphasised some of the concerns of the association's members, "Like every other citizen, they ask themselves what will happen to the data they are coerced into providing; whether it will it [sic] be safe, whose hands might it fall into, and what might they do with the data?" As do many of the ID card scheme's detractors, he made the Orwellian comparison, "Our members increasingly have a sense that a line is being crossed in the relationship between state and citizen; a sense that Big Brother knows best."

Wikinews contacted NO2ID about the proposal, and received feedback from their press spokesman, Michael Parker. He emphasised that this announcement is not a sure sign that the cards will actually be available later this year. Regarding the choice of post offices and chemists to serve on the front line of issuing the cards he said, "...it totally undermines the whole idea of the project as a 'gold standard' 'unbreakable' ID card that would guarantee we are who we say we are. When any old chemist in Wythenshawe or Ancoats (Manchester districts) is responsible for collecting personal information that is supposed to be private and secure, there is a real chance for that information to be used for fraudulent purposes."

NO2ID is an independent group set up to campaign against the ID card system, and what they describe as the 'database state'. When Wikinews asked if they trust the UK Government with a database of 60 million individuals' details his response was cutting and blunt, "I would say 'Not as far as I could throw them', but then it would be easy to download 60m peoples' details onto a CD and then throw that quite far..."

Despite the existence of pressure groups such as NO2ID, the government asserts that there is broad public support for the introduction of compulsory ID cards.


text: Category:Jacqui Smith

title: Category:Jacqui Smith


text:
Talk:UK Home Secretary announces ID card pilot launch

Digging on this
http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/users/jgd1000/ProcIEEEnov2006Daugman.pdf Randomness of IrisCodes: Results From 200 Billion Iris Pair Comparisons
 * Probing the Uniqueness and

"For example, in the U.K. with a national population of about 60 million, an Ball-against-all[ comparison of IrisCodes (totaling about 1015 pairings) as envisioned to detect any multiple identities when issuing the proposed biometric identity cards, could be performed using a decision threshold as high as 0.22 without expecting to make any accidental false matches. At this threshold, the false nonmatch rate, using today’s better iris cameras (assuming good acquisition and cooperative subjects) would be below 1%. In everyday biometric transactions in which an identity is first asserted and then verified without exhaustive database search, matches with a very forgiving Hamming distance as high as about 0.32 could be accepted safely."

 * I'm trying to work out what this means. If I understand correctly, this is saying that it could miss around 1 in 100 people you wanted to catch. Can someone put this better, or show me where I'm wrong? --Brian McNeil / talk 11:14, 6 May 2009 (UTC)

Interview with Jim Killock, ORG spokesman
Jim Killock is the spokesman for the UK-based Open Rights Group. Their press contact has offered me an interview this afternoon - I need questions!

Assuming the Open Rights Group is opposed to the ID card scheme, what are the top reasons not to implement it?

With a £30 pricetag, do you expect the Manchester pilot to have any significant uptake?

Does the issuing of these cards via outlets such as post offices where wages are low open an avenue for falsified registrations?

Are you concerned that airport staff could be effectively forced to have these cards, due to needing them to apply for airport passes onto the apron and runway?

Does ORG trust the Government with a database of 60 million people's details?

 * Add questions above. --Brian McNeil / talk 12:24, 6 May 2009 (UTC)
 * Scratch this. :-( Got an answer back that ORG are not doing press on the issue.
 * Almost the same questions sent to No2ID. --Brian McNeil / talk 12:54, 6 May 2009 (UTC)
 * Michael Parker of No2ID replied...
 * Does No2ID trust the Government with a database of 60 million people's

details?
 * I would say "Not as far as I could throw them", but then it would be easy

to download 60m peoples' details onto a CD and then throw that quite far...
 * There are other quotes, and info at http://www.no2id.net/IDSchemes/whyNot --Brian McNeil / talk 16:27, 6 May 2009 (UTC)

Original Reporting Notes
Hit a lot of people with emails, only promptly got a response from No2ID. These are available on request and have been forwarded to scoop to permit any accredited reporter to confirm the accuracy of the article. --Brian McNeil / talk 17:09, 6 May 2009 (UTC)

Please correct
Editprotected

"BALPA general secretary, Jim McAuslan, emphasised some of the concerns of the association's members, "Like every other citizen, they ask themselves what will happen to the data they are coerced into providing; whether it will it be safe, whose hands might it fall into, and what might they do with the data?" As do many of the ID card scheme's detractors, he made the Orwellian comparison, "Our members increasingly have a sense that a line is being crossed in the relationship between state and citizen; a sense that Big Brother knows best.""

A matter of grammar. --Quest for Truth (talk) 00:21, 20 May 2009 (UTC)

 * ✅ Hmm, interesting because it is a direct quote as published here (last paragraph), but yes it is a grammatical error on someone's part. I removed, but put in a note. --SVTCobra 00:36, 20 May 2009 (UTC)

 * Actually, this is the way the quote was written on several websites, not just that particular source, so I don't think it's a typo. Maybe adding a "[sic]" instead might be more appropriate? Tempodivalse [talk]  00:42, 20 May 2009 (UTC)
 * [sic] should be used. I have reverted another correction to Egyptian archaeologists announce discovery of marble statue and 132 new sites by this user and warned about editing quotes. --Brian McNeil / talk 08:51, 20 May 2009 (UTC)

editprotected

Please add Category:Greater Manchester to category list. Rayboy8 (talk) 06:21, 17 September 2009 (UTC)
 * ✅--Brian McNeil / talk 15:13, 23 September 2009 (UTC)


text:
As many as 100 civilians die in Afghan raid

May 6, 2009

Afghan officials warned that a United States raid had killed 100 people, "mostly civilians", in the Afghani province of. Among the dead was a member of the (ICRC) and his family.

"Twenty-five to 30 of them are Taliban, including from and Pakistan, and the rest are civilians including children, women and elderly people," said police official Abdul Rauf Ahmadi.

The governor of the province, Rohul Amin, said that he thought that as many as 100 civilians were killed in the raid.

A spokeswoman for the ICRC said the organization sent help to the region after being contacted by village elders. "When [our team] went to the first two villages where these incidents took place they saw dozens of bodies. They saw graves and they saw people being buried." ICRC officials also claim that they saw women and children among the dead.

The U.S government has said it is conducting a joint inquiry into the incident. State department spokesman Robert Wood, said in a statement: "Coalition forces and the Afghan government have received reports of civilian casualties in conjunction with a militant attack on Afghan National Security Forces in Farah Province on May 5."

Deputy provincial governor Mohammad Younus Rasouli said that villagers brought the bodies of 20 dead children to his office in the capital city of Farah as proof that the raid killed civilians.

Approximately 2,000 civilians were killed in fighting against the Taliban in 2008, the United Nations says.


text:
User talk:AdmiralKolchak

tempo divalse  17:41, 6 May 2009 (UTC)

title: User talk:AdmiralKolchak


text:
Talk:As many as 100 civilians die in Afghan raid

Please re-word or remove from text
"Last year, about 2,000 civilians were killed in fighting against the Taliban, according to the UN." Direct quotations need to be cited as quotations or put into one's own words. [http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia/2009/05/20095672330997508.html News CENTRAL/S. ASIA 'Up to 100 dead' in Afghan raid]. SriMesh | talk  18:10, 6 May 2009 (UTC)

 * ✅. tempo divalse  23:53, 6 May 2009 (UTC)

 * This wording doesn't work: "Approximately 2,000 civilians were killed in fighting against the Taliban in 2008, to the United Nations says."
 * The what to the UN? --SVTCobra 23:58, 6 May 2009 (UTC)

 * Oops, I forgot to omit a word when rephrasing; the second "the" has been removed. Does it sound better now? tempo divalse  00:11, 7 May 2009 (UTC)

Added portuguese: Mais de 100 pessoas morrem por bombardeio estadunidense no Afeganistão. 20:46, 15 May 2009 (UTC)
 * ✅ Tempodivalse [talk]  20:51, 15 May 2009 (UTC)


text:
Comments:Dozens killed after gunmen storm Turkish wedding reception

Owned!


text:
Several groups seek to purchase Saturn auto brand

May 7, 2009

, an -based investment group and Telesto Ventures have indicated separately that they are interested in purchasing the from  (GM).

According to , - is interested in purchasing Saturn. , however, indicated that Nissan-Renault may be a partner of Penske's potential bid. If Penske acquired the brand, they would distribute Saturn vehicles and outsource the assembly.

GM revealed that the Saturn brand along with and  were up for sale when unveiling their  to  for governmental loans. While the was originally to be a niche brand, GM had changed their plans recently and decided to eliminate the brand.

Telesto Ventures is an investment group that includes private equity firm Black Oak Partners LLC of and several Saturn dealerships. Initially, Telesto will purchase Saturn branded cars from GM then act as a general retailer for foreign brands. Telesto is in talks with several foreign manufacturers.

The Ohio group includes many former senior auto company managers plus private financial backers, chemists and engineers who live in, Ohio, and. This group plans to initially purchase cars from GM then purchase existing but closed plants due to automaker restructuring. Additionally, one of the partners indicated a willingness to accept some "legacy" cost in relation to the. The Ohio group is also pursuing possible loans or other support from national and state governments.

GM is reviewing several offers for Saturn. GM has contracted with S.J. Girsky & Co. to advise them on the sale.


text:
Porsche and Volkswagen automakers agree to merger

May 7, 2009

Porsche and Volkswagen family owners agreed on Wednesday to merge the companies, creating one large “integrated car-manufacturing group”.

"In the final structure, 10 brands shall stand below an integrative leading company alongside each other, whereby the independence of all brands and explicitly also of Porsche shall be ensured," said the Porsche Automobil Holding SE company.

A task force has been set into place to discuss details of the merger over the next month. This task force embraces managers and representatives from the works council of both companies as well as the state of Lower Saxony. Porsche based in Stuttgart, Germany was previously controlled by the Porsche and Piëch families voting stock.

Porsche had previously tried to raise its 51% shares in Volkswagen to 75% in a take-over bid. A special German law grants Lower Saxony enough power to veto decisions with its 20% share in the VW company.

"I'm certain that we can and will advance our partnership in the difficult current year 2009, [and] have the stuff to develop the powerhouse of the international automobile industry" said Martin Winterkorn chairman of the Volkswagen Group (Volkswagen AG) and Scania AB.

The merger would help Porsche with its €9 billion debt which it incurred partially due to the ailing economy as well as its attempt at a takeover bid.


text:
Comments:UK Home Secretary announces ID card pilot launch

nonsense, we've always had id cards! Eurasia is our ally, we're at war with east asia... we've always been at war with east asia... —99.250.55.38 19:46, 6 May 2009 (UTC) The Party

How long until DOWN WITH THE LABOUR PARTY is a thoughtcrime? 147.26.202.142 21:12, 6 May 2009 (UTC)

 * I'm sure that statement has put you on a list somewhere. Fephisto (talk) 12:53, 9 May 2009 (UTC)

you have to wonder, in the face of so much opposition and a huge price tag, why are they still going ahead with it? whats the aim?

Notice how the worldwide divide between the state and the citizen is increasing. The citizen is the fodder for the state, regardless of the country.

All citizens are to be fingerprinted like criminals. Please line up. Hmm. And you'll do this willingly? 174.88.153.27 02:17, 7 May 2009 (UTC)

ID Cards?
Yeah, right. I don't think for second that a room full of politicians whose lives and and values are not at all like mine are going to be able to make use of my information in ways that I will approve of. This is definitely stepping over the line of respect for privacy. It is even stepping over the line of freedom to direct my own life. It is not that I have anything to hide. I am a "good" citizen ( I once got a speeding ticket !). So it is not that I am trying to hide a crime here. But I do not want some statistical analysis expert take every one's data, running in through a machine and then deciding that we would be better off if every one with my "profile" were required to do this or that other thing. Then the idea gets to the politicians and they all start trying to figure out how to make points with this or that interest group out of this new thing that people with my profile are require to do. And, then finally, it gets down to the "spinners", speech writers, and social engineers to figure out how to persuade the country that I real would be better off if I were to do such and such with my life.

Surveillance state
As a foreigner living in the UK (for 2 years now) I have to say that this is one of the scarier places I've been to in terms of privacy violation by the government. When you take together the facts that

 * CCTV is everywhere in city/town centers watching you on most streets, street corners, and outside shops;
 * Her Majesty's Government wants to build a massive database with everyones details (oh, and then give them an ID card to make them feel like their actually just trying to make their lives easier);

you get a scenario with massive potential for abuse. Will the current government abuse it? Maybe not. Will the next one? Who knows. Will it be abused eventually. Almost certainly.

We are the result of 200 years of brainwashing (from the detective novel to the state-censored internet) and have been conditioned (you can't see the fly in the eye) to focus on the difference between country x and country y. The more important distinction is - regardless of the nation, worldwide - the one between 1/3 of the society who are the lackeys of the state (and will defend it) and the other 2/3 who slave away for the state and who are coerced to support the state agents (e.g. police, military, civil servants, etc.) who do either deliver (i) an overpriced service, (ii) a service the majority does not ask for (e.g. ID cards) or (iii) no service at all.

I don't understand why most governments in the world are still operating.
 * Me neither. --Mahmudmasri (talk) 09:18, 8 May 2009 (UTC)

this ruined my day


text:
User talk:64.26.97.254

Thanks for experimenting with Wikinews. Your test worked, and has now been reverted or removed. Please use Sandbox for any other tests you want to do, since testing in articles may disrupt the site's working and will be reverted quickly. Thank you. tempo divalse  22:32, 6 May 2009 (UTC)

title: User talk:64.26.97.254


text: User talk:67.128.200.238

title: User talk:67.128.200.238


text: Talk:American comedic actor Dom DeLuise dies at age 75


text:
Past Eurovision contestants give advice to this year's performers, speculate on who will win

May 10, 2009 It happens once a year. Nearly all of Europe's eyes are on 25 musical acts on finale night. Whether you love it or you hate it, it has your attention. Hundreds of millions are watching them. Whether viewers are waiting for the performance of a lifetime or a hilarious slip-up, for those three minutes their attention is owned by each respective singer.

That's the feeling that the entrants in Moscow will know on Saturday, and it's also the same feeling the eight singers who were interviewed by Wikinews have experienced. Last week, eight singers from eight different countries took time out of their various schedules to discuss their favorite moments from competing, their own personal anecdotes, advice they give to the performers this year in Moscow, who they think will win, and most importantly to them, what they're doing now and what they're offering to their audience.

This is the sixth and final interview set the English Wikinews will publish in the run-up to the semi-final and final rounds of the Eurovision Song Contest. Mike Halterman conducted all interviews, and will conduct additional interviews after the Contest. The final round airs May 16 at 9 p.m. CET; check with your national broadcaster's website for possible delays. Where available, the Contest's final round will also be broadcast on national radio.

Jessica Garlick Flag of the United Kingdom.svg

 * Jessica Garlick, originally from Kidwelly in Wales, became famous in 2001 for her participation in the singing competition Pop Idol, where she finished in ninth place. Four months later, she won A Song for Europe, the British national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest, and went on to represent the United Kingdom two months later at the Eurovision 2002 final in Tallinn, with the song "Come Back." She placed third, which turned out to be the best result for the United Kingdom for the decade. Now 27, married and a mother, Jessica Garlick is returning to music with a new set of priorities.

''' What projects are you working on? What can your fan base expect to see from you this year?

Jessica Garlick: Right now I'm busy promoting my new single "Hard Not to Fall" which is due to be released this month...it's available to download from iTunes from 9th May, with the official release being 25th May. I'm also currently co-writing my album, which will be released later on this year. It really does feel great to be back in the music industry.

''' What were some of the best memories you have from going to Eurovision? What advice would you give to the singers going to Eurovision for the first time this year?

Jessica Garlick: Some of my best memories from doing Eurovision would be visiting Estonia, I don't think it's a place I'd ever have visited if it wasn't for performing there, and it really is beautiful. While I was there during the week I had the opportunity to fly out into the Baltic Sea via helicopter and spend the afternoon on board HMS Chatham too. I was allowed to drive the frigate, and got to perform to the troops on board, who were so appreciative.

I have so many more, and met such amazing people during the whole promotion and run-up period as well as the Eurovision week itself. My only regret is not taking as many photos as I would have liked to. So my advice to others doing Eurovision would be [to] definitely take lots of pictures, and really enjoy your performance and everything that representing your country brings with it.

''' The music videos for this year are up at youtube.com/eurovision. Which songs are your favorites and which country do you think has the best chance of winning?

Jessica Garlick: I have been fortunate enough to have been able to perform alongside some of this year's Eurovision entries, and was totally impressed! I love the Iceland entry this year...the song "Is it True?" is a really beautiful ballad, and Johanna sings it really well! I would say that from a song point of view, this is definitely my favourite song.

I do, however, think that the Ukraine could win this year! Svetlana's performance is crazy!! She's absolutely wild! Her live performance is out of control! She is definitely "in it to win it", and is going all out to ensure she does everything to make this happen. She is one to watch on the night for sure! There will definitely be something amazing going on on stage during her performance. She'll keep you captivated, and make it memorable!!

' A lot of the fans you had from when you were on Pop Idol'' and Eurovision 2002 don't know the reason why you dropped out of music and out of sight. What happened? Also, do you find it difficult returning to the music industry after being away for six years?

Jessica Garlick: After Pop Idol and Eurovision I started to write songs...something I had never done before, and didn't think I would be any good at. But I have been fortunate enough to travel the world since, co-writing with some of the world's best songwriters. I decided to take a step out of the industry for a while in 2004 when I got married to my teenage sweetheart Owen.

I lost my passion for music for a while if I'm honest and we wanted to travel together for a bit, and actually moved to Australia for a short time, before I got totally broody. So in 2007 I gave birth to my little girl Olivia, and have been doing the wife and at-home mummy thing since, which I absolutely love!!

I made the decision to get back in the studio and start writing again in January of this year and it felt so good, and when I recorded "Hard Not to Fall" I knew it was a song that I wanted everyone to hear, and I completely got my passion and drive back for it. The music industry has changed a lot since I was last in it...but in actual fact it's working better for me this time.

I have a lot more control, which is important to me, especially with Olivia being my main priority...I am first and foremost a mum, and I want to be a good one at that, and I'm also working with people that I really like and trust, which makes working together fun, and music should be fun. It's definitely a lot harder this time around, as I am juggling "real life" too, and I can't afford to be the selfish person that being successful in the industry can sometimes mean you have to be. I'm having the most wonderful time being back though, and am almost astounded by the great support I have from all my old fans. They're the best!!

Ani Lorak Flag of Ukraine.svg

 * Ani Lorak, born Karolina Kuiek (the name "Ani Lorak" is "Karolina" spelled backwards), first became famous for her vocal talent in Russia and her native Ukraine in 1995. She took part in arguably the biggest performance of her career at Eurovision in 2008, placing second with the song "Shady Lady." Celebrating her 30th birthday in September, she has kept up a busy schedule, including the release of a new album.

''' What projects are you working on? What can your fan base expect to see from you this year?

Ani Lorak: I've just released my new album called "Sontse" (The Sun). The album was written and recorded in Greece at the "VOX studio" by Dimitris Kontopoulos, who also helped with the song "Shady Lady" for Eurovision 2008. The album will be released not only in Ukraine but also in Russia.

In the autumn I plan to start a large tour of 25 cities in support of the new album. Also, we are planning to play some solo concerts in the Palace "Ukraine" in Kiev. I was pleasantly surprised when, at the beginning of the year, an award came to my office from the British radio station "Eurovision Song Contest Radio." By audience vote, its listeners named me the "Best Female Singer for 2008" for my song "Shady Lady." I don't like to think ahead and to anticipate, but I'll try to do as much as my energies will allow so people can be fulfilled in the future.

''' What were some of the best memories you have from going to Eurovision? What advice would you give to the singers going to Eurovision for the first time this year?

Ani Lorak: Because I participated in the contest only in 2008, I can remember it all: during the promotional tour I visited many countries in which I hadn't been before. I met wonderful people: Dimitris Kontopoulos, Roberto Cavalli; I made new friends and supporters. [Editor's note: Roberto Cavalli designed the diamond dress Ani Lorak wore during her Eurovision performance.] I had to work very diligently to get the result [I got].

In Eurovision I found the heart of this contest. The "Artistic Award", which [they] usually hand to the best artist of the contest, [was given to me]; Raffaella Carrà invited me to her television program in Italy, and my tours took me further and further away geographically. I really liked the atmosphere of [the] contest. All the contestants were friendly, happy, helped each other, and supported one another. Those weeks were not simple, but very happy in my life.

I wish to all the participants lots of inspiration, tenacity, crazy energy, hard work and belief in yourself and your strength. It is not unachievable; the main thing is to settle for being frank and sincere to the audience.

''' The music videos for this year are up at youtube.com/eurovision. Which songs are your favorites and which country do you think has the best chance of winning?

Ani Lorak: I can say one thing – Eurovision is a very unpredictable contest, and to do any predictions is very difficult. I know that in Moscow this year there will be many very well-known professional artists: Sakis Rouvas and Patricia Kaas. The main thing in this contest is to enter the scene and present for your country 200%. I wish good luck to all participants, but I'll root, as a patriot, for my country.

''' What goals have you not achieved yet in your career, but would like to eventually?

Ani Lorak: We have a proverb: "If you want God to laugh, then tell Him about your plans." It’s important to have enough strength for my professional accomplishments, for my career, and for my eventual creative achievements. But all this must go together with my personal life. I want to realize my self-worth in all spheres. Maybe I’ll open my own clothing line.

But most importantly for me, every day I will raise the bar with regard to my professional development as a singer and artist. The main point – I have everything ahead of me, and I will go to [any lengths to] achieve my dreams — my Oscar is yet to come!

Marie N Flag of Latvia.svg

 * Marija Naumova, who goes by the stage name Marie N, is best-known to European audiences for winning the Eurovision Song Contest for Latvia in 2002 with her song "I Wanna." The next year, she hosted the Contest in Riga with past Latvian entrant Renārs Kaupers. Now 35, she has moved a lot of her focus to musical theatre and is very serious about honing her talent.

''' What projects are you working on? What can your fan base expect to see from you this year?

Marie N: At this time I am a student at acting school in Paris, so now all [my] plans are more about theatre, but I also started to work on my new album and I hope that at the end of the year I [can] present that to [the] audience, but I think that at the moment it's too early to talk about it. [smile]

''' What were some of the best memories you have from going to Eurovision? What advice would you give to the singers going to Eurovision for the first time this year?

Marie N: I liked everything during the week we spent there. We really had a lot of fun. The [atmosphere] was very professional, participants were very friendly...but the most emotional [part] was our trip back home – the way from Tallinn to Riga by bus with the police accompanying us and people waiting for us with flowers along the road...

The only advice is to enjoy every moment and especially the three minutes of the presentation – it is really something special. [smile]

''' The music videos for this year are up at youtube.com/eurovision. Which songs are your favorites and which country do you think has the best chance of winning?

Marie N: I think that there are a lot of songs which have chances to win, but it depends on the energy that [the] singers will bring with them [to] the stage on that special evening.

''' Which task was more fun for you, winning Eurovision or hosting it the next year? Which one made you more nervous, and why?

Marie N: Of course singing was more fun than the hosting because you are responsible only for yourself, but hosting brings a responsibility for the whole show. I wish all the best for all the participants; enjoy. [smile]

Niels "Noller" Olsen Flag of Denmark.svg

 * Niels Olsen, nicknamed "Noller," (pictured, left) and his older brother Jørgen (right) make up the duo The Olsen Brothers. A well-known act in Denmark since the early 1970s, the duo successfully staked a new claim to relevance by winning the Eurovision Song Contest in 2000 with the entry "Fly on the Wings of Love." Now 55, Niels Olsen uses every chance possible to let his audience know that age is simply a number, especially in Eurovision which tends to favor younger entrants.

''' What projects are you working on? What can your fan base expect to see from you this year?

Niels Olsen: We are working on a new album and we will make a small tour to Sweden, Norway and Denmark for the rest of the year, so that's what our fans can expect. The album will be released in 2010.

''' What were some of the best memories you have from going to Eurovision? What advice would you give to the singers going to Eurovision for the first time this year?

Niels Olsen: The best memory...well, it's hard to say...we had a lot of fantastic memories from Stockholm in 2000. We will never forget the love we received from the public in all the European countries right after Stockholm, and the response from the Swedish people at the event. Apropos, I said to my brother after the first performance, "Well, Jørgen, I think it could be possible for us to have a hit in Sweden!!"

I would say to a "new" artist: Remember that you are not the center of the universe, and in a world perspective, the situation is not that bad if you lose the Eurovision. Stick to the ones you love and try to involve people you believe in, not the ones who promise you everything in life. In our case we have had the same manager for 35 years, we have been working with our friend and producer Stig Kreutzfeldt for 25 years, and so on. We have [made] several hits the last 35 years with these fantastic friends.

''' The music videos for this year are up at youtube.com/eurovision. Which songs are your favorites and which country do you think has the best chance of winning?

Niels Olsen: Well, I haven't heard all the songs, but I personally find the Danish, the English, and the Swedish songs very nice, but as I [said], I haven't heard all the songs yet.

''' The Danish version of your winning song implies women "get better with age." Which women in the entertainment industry do you think personify that sentiment, and why?

Niels Olsen: Personally I think my wife is still a beautiful woman, but I think as you said "getting better with age" is not the right word. My wife is still a lively and attractive woman, and we are both in love with life. I also think that a woman like Annie Lennox is a beautiful woman, even though she is past 50. (Sorry, [I know] we don't talk about a woman's age normally. Sorry, Miss Lennox.)

Hanna Pakarinen Flag of Finland.svg

 * Hanna Pakarinen, from Lappeenranta in Finland, first became well-known in her home country for winning the Idols television series in 2004. In 2007, she was chosen to represent Finland at Eurovision, placing 17th in the final with the song "Leave Me Alone." Her most recent album went gold this year, and she celebrated her 28th birthday last month, her combined CD sales having risen to over 180,000.

''' What projects are you working on? What can your fan base expect to see from you this year?

Hanna Pakarinen: I released my fourth album "Love in a Million Shades" earlier this year, and now I'm doing gigs around Finland.

''' What were some of the best memories you have from going to Eurovision? What advice would you give to the singers going to Eurovision for the first time this year?

Hanna Pakarinen: I think the best memory is the moment when I got up on stage in the finals. That was amazing!

It's hard to give any advice, but I think the only thing that's important is just to be yourself and have fun. [smile]

''' The music videos for this year are up at youtube.com/eurovision. Which songs are your favorites and which country do you think has the best chance of winning?

Hanna Pakarinen: Of course I think the best song is the Finnish song. [smile] It's very hard to say who is going to win; it's the same thing every year, you never know!

''' Apart from music, what are some things that are very close to your heart? How would you like to use your popularity to help others?

Hanna Pakarinen: My family and friends, of course, and my hometown and the lake there.

I'm not really a big fan of the idea of being a role model but I'm trying to do my best, showing and telling the fans that the most important thing is to love yourself and be who you are. And always trust yourself, of course!

Charlotte Perrelli Flag of Sweden.svg

 * Charlotte Perrelli, originally Charlotte Nilsson, was an alumnus of two popular "dansbands" in Sweden before winning the Eurovision Song Contest in 1999 with the song "Take Me to Your Heaven." She quickly became one of Sweden's most popular solo artists, and released six albums which all charted in the Swedish Top 40. In 2008 she returned to Eurovision with the highly favored "Hero," only to be saved at the last minute by jury decision and ranking a low 18th out of 25 nations in the final round. Perrelli, now 34, discusses her achievements and favorite moments of the past decade.

''' What projects are you working on? What can your fan base expect to see from you this year?

Charlotte Perrelli: I'm searching for new songs to [include on] my upcoming album. I´m also on the jury for the Swedish TV show Talang (Talent; the Swedish version of the "___'s Got Talent!" TV series). They can expect a new album, hopefully this year.

''' You went to Eurovision twice, winning the Contest in 1999 and then also entering last year. What were some of the best memories you had from both times you went to Eurovision?

Charlotte Perrelli: The victory in Jerusalem in '99 was fantastic, of course. My funniest memory was when Dana [International] fell on-stage, it was unbelievable and I felt sorry for her. Last year I had a lot of memories. Everything was so different from '99. So much bigger!

''' The music videos for this year are up at youtube.com/eurovision. Which songs are your favorites and which country do you think has the best chance of winning?

Charlotte Perrelli: I like many of the songs this year, but I believe Norway will win.

''' Which of the songs you've recorded is your favorite?

Charlotte Perrelli: Hmm. I have many favorites, but "Black and Blue" from my last CD is a great song; [it was] written by Fredrik Kempe. I love the lyrics.

Sirusho Flag of Armenia.svg

 * Sirouhi Haroutunyan, nicknamed Sirusho, has been one of the most popular pop singers in Armenia since the release of her first album at age 13. In 2008, she represented Armenia at Eurovision, finishing in fourth place with the song "Qélé, Qélé." Now 22, she is close to finishing her bachelor's degree while still keeping up an active pace of performances and studio sessions.

''' What projects are you working on? What can your fan base expect to see from you this year?

Sirusho: I am currently working on a few big projects, one of them is the new song "Time to Pray" that I have made with my colleagues from Eurovision, Boaz Mauda and Jelena Tomasevic. The song is a protest against war, and the English lyrics are written by the President of Israel, Shimon Peres. I am also working on my fourth album which will be released in [the] summer. I also premiered my new song in Greek, "Erotas", and it is already number one [on] all the Armenian music charts. My fans are very strong and it's only a pleasure to work hard for them.

''' What were some of the best memories you have from going to Eurovision? What advice would you give to the singers going to Eurovision for the first time this year?

Sirusho: Eurovision is a big fun festival. I don't want to call it a competition, because the contestants become friends. I wish for the participants to really enjoy [themselves] and not be scared of it. Eurovision can give and take so much; it took my career to a new level, [and] now I work and have fans all over Europe and it's amazing.

''' The music videos for this year are up at youtube.com/eurovision. Which songs are your favorites and which country do you think has the best chance of winning?

Sirusho: I have met some of this year's participants in different countries where I was singing as a guest and they were doing their promo tours. I haven't seen all the performances so I can't judge. Also, Eurovision is all about unexpected surprises; that's what makes it interesting.

''' You pursued a bachelor's degree in international relations. How do you wish to utilize your degree? If you had to stop singing tomorrow, what kind of career would you want to pursue with the degree you hold?

Sirusho: International affairs is something that had interested me. I like to learn. I always tend to learn more but I don't even want to think about stopping my career. I was born with it, it's a big part of who I am, and even if something happens to my vocal cords, I can go on with writing and producing songs for my colleagues...[but] enough about that; I still have so much in me to give to my audience!

Tajči Flag of SFR Yugoslavia.svg Flag of Croatia.svg

 * Tajči, born Tatjana Matejaš, shot to fame in Yugoslavia at the age of 19, achieving diamond sales with her signature hit "Hajde da ludujemo" (Let's Go Crazy). She performed the song at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1990, held in her hometown of Zagreb, and placed seventh. The war in the former Yugoslavia cut her career short, and she moved to the United States, where she has lived for the past 17 years. She now tours with her husband across the United States, performing selections of contemporary Christian music. At 38, she is overjoyed to "have it all": a family of her own and the chance to make music on her own terms. Her career is chronicled on her website.

''' What projects are you working on? What can your fans in both America and in Europe expect to see from you this year?

Tajči: Apart from my regular tours, which I do four a year, I am working on a show called "Need a Break," which is a bit of a step from my spiritual music and more "everyday." It's more what mothers go through, with marriage and kids. It's a funny show. What I do well is I tell stories. It's how I am. It's who I am. It's why pop music didn't work for me as an artist. This new format is great for me, it's very fulfilling and I'm very excited and looking forward to it, being able to do that and explore musical styles.

I'm also hoping to go to Zagreb this year and bring my new music to them. I think it's time. I've been away for 17 years, and they still play my old music, and occasionally I go there and do radio and television interviews...I don't know, it's time for them to see what I'm doing. Anyone can see my stuff online, but what I do best is live; there's a lot of energy and power there that you can't really see in a recording or in a video. It's different when you're actually in the room. I want to bring it to them and say, "Here, my countrymen, my old fans, this is who I am now. This is how I grew over the last 17 years." Kind of like a reunion.

''' What were some of the best memories you have from going to Eurovision? What advice would you give to the singers going to Eurovision for the first time this year?

Tajči: I really enjoyed performing, I enjoyed the energy, everyone coming together and singing, talking with other people about their careers. That was the highlight. I didn't care for the press or the competition aspect, but there's so much to think about, the whole country is looking at you. I don't think it could ever be just about music, it's more political. But there's always stuff that comes with it when you have any kind of gathering like that.

The time I was there, I was the last representative before the fall of Yugoslavia, and it was during the unification of Europe, and everyone was a bit more tense and elevated in that regard...and I was so young to experience all of that. I don't think I knew what to quite make of it. But it was a great experience, I'll always remember it. The night of my life, one of them anyway.

It's also very emotional because the singer who won that year sang about "unite unite, Europe." It was perfect at that time. After he won, in the green room, he pulled a red rose from the bouquet and gave it to me, and he paid me some compliments. For a 19-year-old girl, that meant a lot.

My advice is to have fun, and do it with all your heart. Don't do it for the sole reason to win, not to launch your career, but because you love it, and it's what you do and you're good at it. You can be an inspiration to someone and it can be more than just providing entertainment.

''' The music videos for this year are up at http://www.youtube.com/eurovision. Which songs are your favorites and which country do you think has the best chance of winning?

Tajči: Since we're in the middle of a tour, I kind of scrolled through, and I think the quality of the songs are really wonderful. I feel like I want to pack my bags and go to Europe for the summer, because I think this is going to be a summer for some great club music!

I'm partial to countries [who sing] in their original language, and I can see how a lot of countries, how even when they do the dance number and include ethnic elements, I like that.

I like the guy from Norway, I think he's so sincere and didn't look to me like he was "trying" anything, he was just being himself. The song is nice and happy. It doesn't hurt that he's really handsome, and has a good aura about him. He had so much energy, and he grabbed me right away, the way he moved, the way he sang, it just pulled me in.

I also love Malta, I'm a fan of the big ballads. She has a beautiful voice. And Cyprus, she "did it" for me too. I also like the French song as well, but I also love the French language in general. Bosnia has a good song too, they have a certain sentiment that they always pull from and it works for them. Croatia, I wasn't too blown away, but I'm proud of them for still singing in Croatian, even though it may not sound as pretty as English to some people. Everything else, it was like, "It's beautiful, but I've seen it before."

Everything seems like Hollywood now, I guess because it's the times we live in now. All the girls are so pretty and the hair and makeup are perfect, and now I feel like an old lady, but I miss the characters from different parts of the world. It's influenced so much by Hollywood and the Western music industry. It was inevitable, the melting of it [East and West] all into one, so I'm partial to bringing some sort of local element into it. It comes with finding your identity and finding your place in the world as a country.

I volunteer and give my time to a local school and teach the schoolchildren ethnic dances. I live in the Midwest now, but I used to live in Los Angeles and New York where they are a little more aware of ethnic groups. I'm teaching them these dances to give them a little sense of what's being lost to the new kinds of culture and music. I teach some kids who were adopted from other countries, and I wonder, wow, are they ever going to be able to sing a song in Bulgarian, or Italian, or what have you?

My kids are half-American and half-Croatian, and I see how in my own life, being "globalized" and how people are losing the ethnic folklore and culture and all that, so with my kids, I try to teach them language and how to dance, because it's the way I grew up.

''' I watched a clip of your documentary on YouTube, and I noticed one of the comments, asking you "not to forget your home, Croatia," and to come back because the fans there miss you. Now that you've made a life for yourself in America, do you ever see yourself moving back to Croatia with your family? Which country do you feel more ties and loyalty to, the United States or Croatia, and why?

Tajči: I want to take the kids and at least spend a year there when they're teenagers, so I can show them my country and so they can learn different things there. But I don't know, once you leave, it's hard to go back. I miss my country, I miss the history. I miss my roots. I miss running into a friend and talking about high school and grade school, stuff that you don't have when you move away. I love what I do, and I love what America has to offer, and what America did offer to me. There's a certain kind of freedom that you have that you can't have in a smaller country.

I will always be Croatian, it doesn't matter how long I stay here. When I go home to Croatia, when I go there, I feel like I'm home, but when I come back to America, I feel like I'm home here too. I guess I have to say that a person can be "home" anywhere if they have peace within themselves. You're gonna miss a lot of things about places you have been, and I do miss Croatia. I want to show my kids where I grew up and the parks where I played. That just may be a sentiment I'm going through right now, I don't know. I have a good life, my husband and kids, and I love being able to make the kind of music I want to, without any contracts or obligations. I'm very happy.

Source
de:Eurovision Song Contest 2009 in Moskau: Was sagen die Ehemaligen? Los participantes anteriores de Eurovisión dan consejo a los participantes de este año, especulando quien ganará Les chanteurs des éditions précédentes de l'Eurovision donnent des conseils et spéculent sur le futur gagnant de Moscou Voormalige Eurovisiedeelnemers geven adviezen aan de artiesten van dit jaar en speculeren over wie gaat winnen no:Europas Melodi Grand Prix 2009: Hvem vinner i Moskva? Byli finaliści Eurowizji udzielają porad tegorocznym uczestnikom konkursu i wyjawiają swoich faworytów Participantes das edições anteriores da Eurovisão dão conselhos aos participantes deste ano, especulando quem vai ganhar Ранее выступавшие на Евровидении дают советы новым исполнителям и обсуждают, кто победит в этом году sv:Eurovision Song Contest 2009: Vem vinner i Moskva? Учасники Євробачення минулих років дають поради і прогнозують цьогорічних переможців


text:
Talk:Past Eurovision contestants give advice to this year's performers, speculate on who will win

Original reporting notes
Interview conducted via e-mail and/or telephone between Mike Halterman (in Tampa, Florida, USA) and Charlotte Perrelli (in Stockholm, Sweden), Ani Lorak (in Kiev, Ukraine), Hanna Pakarinen (in Helsinki, Finland), Jessica Garlick (in Hereford, West Midlands, United Kingdom), Tajči Cameron (in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA), Sirouhi Haroutunyan "Sirusho" (in Yerevan, Armenia), Niels Olsen (in Copenhagen, Denmark), and Marija Naumova "Marie N" (in Paris, France) from May 5 to May 8, 2009.

Special thanks go to Staffan Jordansson, Julia Lunyova, Liina Rislakki, Lisa Davies, Matthew Cameron, Satenik Aloyan, and Steen Wittrock, respective managers and publicists. Contact with Marie N was made directly.

All interviews conducted in English except for Ani Lorak's, which was conducted in Ukrainian. Thanks to Aleksandr Andreiko and Anatoliy Goncharov for translation. Mike Halterman (talk) 22:55, 6 May 2009 (UTC)

Publishing
To allow translations to continue at a non-frenzied pace, the interview won't go up for pre-publish review until Sunday evening. Mike Halterman (talk) 22:57, 9 May 2009 (UTC)
 * Two languages are done and a third is on its way. I think it's ready now. Mike Halterman (talk) 19:53, 10 May 2009 (UTC)

Cross-wiki translations
Thanks to Groucho_NL for translating into Dutch, Otourly and Dereckson for translating into French, Aholtman, eptalon, Prince Kassad and Matthiasb for translating into German, noorse, h3st, brik, christel, heinkel_111 and bjelleklang for translating into Norwegian, odder for translating into Polish, enhydra for translating into Russian, Felix Fernando Suarez for translating into Spanish, HannesP for translating into Swedish, and Hillock65 for translating into Ukrainian. Mike Halterman (talk) 06:04, 12 May 2009 (UTC)


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Parents prosecuted after homeopathic treatment leads to daughter's death

May 8, 2009

Thomas Sam, 42, and his wife Manju Sam, 36, from Sydney, Australia, are undergoing trial for manslaughter by gross negligence for the death of their nine-month-old child, Gloria. She died from infection caused by severe eczema after they shunned effective conventional medical treatments for homeopathy, a form of alternative medicine that has been described as pseudoscience. Articles in peer-reviewed academic journals including Social Science & Medicine have characterized homeopathy as a form of quackery.

Gloria developed severe eczema at the age of four months and the parents were advised to send the child to a skin specialist. Thomas Sam, a practising homeopath, instead decided to treat his daughter himself. His daughter's condition deteriorated, to the point that the baby spent all her energy battling the infections caused by the constant breaking of the skin, leading to severe malnutrition and, eventually, her death. By the end, Gloria's eczema was so severe that her skin broke every time her parents changed her clothes or nappy, and in the words of the Crown prosecutor, Mark Tedeschi, QC, "Gloria spent a lot of the last five months of her life crying, irritable, scratching and the only thing that gave her solace was to suck on her mother's breast." Gloria also became unable to move her legs.

Mr. Tedeschi also told the court that, over the last five months of her life, "Gloria's eczema played a devastating role in her overall health and it is asserted by the Crown that both her parents knew this and discussed it with each other." However, despite their child's severe illness, and her lack of improvement, the Sams continued to shun conventional medical treatment, instead seeking help from other homeopaths and naturopaths. Gloria temporarily improved during the rare times they used conventional treatments, but they soon dropped them in favour of homeopathy, and she consistently worsened.

Allegedly, Thomas' sister pleaded with him to send Gloria to a conventional medical doctor, but he replied "I am not able to do that". The parents are also accused of putting their social life ahead of their child, taking her on a trip to India and leaving her to servants while embarking on a busy social schedule, and giving her homeopathic drops instead of using the prescription creams they had been given.

Gloria was finally taken to the emergency department shortly before her death. By this time, "her skin was weeping, her body malnourished and her corneas melting", according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

Speaking in the parents' defense, Tom Molomby, SC, said that, as the parents came from India, where homeopathy is in common use, they should be declared not guilty due to cultural differences.

Homeopathy is a form of alternative medicine which treats patients with massively diluted forms of substances that, if given to a healthy person undiluted, would cause symptoms similar to the disease. Typical treatments take the dilutions, with ritualised shaking between each step of the dilution, past the level where any molecules of the original substance are likely to remain; for homeopathic treatments to work, basic well-understood concepts in chemistry and physics would have to be wrong. There is no evidence that homeopathy is more effective than placebo for any condition.


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Talk:Parents prosecuted after homeopathic treatment leads to daughter's death

Citing sources
Where citing in the sources section, the source template should be used. I've never seen a citation template used before, but it may be useful in an 'external links' section (below sources) to cite scientific papers or other things that are not timely news reports of the event. --Brian McNeil / talk 10:52, 7 May 2009 (UTC)
 * Those are the sources for the discussion of homeopathy. Adam Cuerden (talk) 11:25, 7 May 2009 (UTC)
 * The SMH isn't, and you didn't use source --Brian McNeil / talk 11:35, 7 May 2009 (UTC)
 * Fixed now (Takes a little time to fix, but I did start when you mentioned that =) ). I also found another newspaper source. Adam Cuerden (talk) 11:37, 7 May 2009 (UTC)
 * Great! once you've used the source template a few times it becomes natural. I'd like someone else's opinion on how to arrange a mix of sources and citations as it's rare. Generally for items in the source section sorting newest at the top is done, if that conveniently puts the papers justifying calling homoeopathy quackery at the bottom - so much the better. --Brian McNeil / talk 12:03, 7 May 2009 (UTC)

My spell checker says it's homoeopath, not the current spelling in the title. Is this a US spelling, or a spelling mistake?

The opening two paragraphs don't give a 'where'. A key rule of writing news reports is to answer Who Where What Why When and How as much as possible in the first paragraph. Adjunct to this is writing for an international audience. You can assume local in a local publication, but the closest to clues as to the location of this are that it is Crown and a QC is involved. --Brian McNeil / talk 12:03, 7 May 2009 (UTC)
 * I've added in a specific reference to location, and did a full copyedit. Adam Cuerden (talk) 12:25, 7 May 2009 (UTC)

near-Copyvio
In the SMH source... "On the few occasions that they did follow conventional medical advice, Gloria would improve, but they would soon revert to homeopathic remedies and she would continue to deteriorate."

In the Wikinews article... "On the few times they did accept conventional treatment, their daughter improved, but they returned to homeopathy afterwards."

I highlight this here, rather than do a failed review - this one struck me as just too close, it pretty much passes on everything else with the minor edits you can see I've done. --Brian McNeil / talk 12:55, 7 May 2009 (UTC)

 * I'm sorry, I wasn't lookign at the sentence at the time, but clearly my mind was primed by the structure. I've changed it to "Gloria temporarily improved during the rare times they used conventional treatments, but they soon dropped them in favour of homeopathy, and she got worse again." Adam Cuerden (talk) 13:14, 7 May 2009 (UTC)

WN:WEASEL
It has been cleaned up, but this was first published with very weaselly wording in the first paragraph. Please stay on the lookout for that when reviewing. Cheers, --SVTCobra 22:50, 8 May 2009 (UTC)
 * Yes, the wording is now much more specific and better. Cirt (talk) 22:51, 8 May 2009 (UTC)
 * Yes, in no small part thanks to your edit ... thx Cirt. --SVTCobra 23:08, 8 May 2009 (UTC)
 * Thank you, and no worries. :) Cirt (talk) 23:12, 8 May 2009 (UTC)

Verifiability
"She died from infection caused by severe eczema" <-- Please list the sources and quote the evidence that supports this claim. "homeopathic treatment leads to daughter's death" <-- Please list the sources and quote the evidence that supports this claim. --JWSchmidt (talk) 04:43, 30 June 2009 (UTC)
 * Here you are. . They were found guilty so these claims are true. Computerjoe 's talk 10:41, 30 June 2009 (UTC)
 * Please provide quotes from that source that support these statements: "She died from infection caused by severe eczema" and "homeopathic treatment leads to daughter's death". --JWSchmidt (talk) 15:45, 30 June 2009 (UTC)
 * 'THE parents of a nine-month-old girl who died from septicemia were responsible for their baby's death because they shunned conventional medical treatment for her eczema in favour of homeopathic remedies'. Computerjoe 's talk 19:02, 30 June 2009 (UTC)
 * You did not provide the entire statement which included the qualifier, "...a court heard yesterday." That article appears to be an account by Harriet Alexander of the prosecutor's claims. The sentence you quote appears to be synthesis by the newspaper and does not quote either an expert medical witness or a judgment of the court. Did the court rule on the cause of death? Did a testifying medical expert or the judge say, "She died from infection caused by severe eczema"? Did any of the medical experts who testified say, "homeopathic treatment leads to daughter's death"? A court reporter's summary of the prosecutor's claims becomes a "verified" flat statement of fact in Wikinews: "homeopathic treatment leads to daughter's death"? --JWSchmidt (talk) 23:59, 30 June 2009 (UTC)


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Comments:American comedic actor Dom DeLuise dies at age 75

One of my most cherished memories, is that of my family in tears of laughter, watching "The End".

Thanks Dom.

Nooo!
One of my favorite actors... so many memories... rest in peace, sweet DeLuise. I take my hat off to you, sir!