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News and Events => Political and Legal News => Topic started by: Blue Senpai on August 21, 2014, 10:13:23 AM

Title: Transphobic Wikipedia Edits made by Congressional IP addresses
Post by: Blue Senpai on August 21, 2014, 10:13:23 AM
'Orange is the New Black' fight sparks new House Wikipedia ban
By JULIA HATTERN
Posted: Aug 21st, 2014 @ 9:24 AM

For the third time this summer, computers in the House have been blocked from editing Wikipedia due to a string of controversial edits.

More: http://thehill.com/policy/technology/215653-house-staffers-blocked-from-editing-wikipedia-again
Title: Re: Transphobic Wikipedia Edits made by Congressional IP addresses
Post by: suzifrommd on August 21, 2014, 11:38:02 AM
QuoteSomeone using the House IP address defended the edits as an attempt to provide fairness on the subject, and said the moves were "official business" endorsed by a member of Congress.

Then let that member of Congress identify himself/herself. Use your name and open yourself up to questions and dialog.

Endorsing hateful speech without naming yourself is cowardice. Three cheers to Wikipedia for taking action.
Title: Re: Transphobic Wikipedia Edits made by Congressional IP addresses
Post by: Carrie Liz on August 21, 2014, 12:09:33 PM
I really hope this is just some jerkoff kid using a fake IP address to pretend to be a member of congress.

If not, I don't want to live in this country anymore... if this is how the leaders of our country act...
Title: Re: Transphobic Wikipedia Edits made by Congressional IP addresses
Post by: mrs izzy on August 21, 2014, 02:22:59 PM
Quote from: Marcellow on August 21, 2014, 02:16:34 PM
Already posted here: https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,171889.0.html

I merged the two in one. Looks like it worked.

Isabell
Title: Re: Transphobic Wikipedia Edits made by Congressional IP addresses
Post by: Jess42 on August 21, 2014, 02:25:18 PM
Really sad. No maybe pathetic is the right word to use.
Title: Re: Transphobic Wikipedia Edits made by Congressional IP addresses
Post by: Lonicera on August 21, 2014, 10:06:13 PM
[CN: Quote from exclusionary feminist]

Oh my, since it seems to be a shared IP, I feel somewhat sorry for any Congress staff that would like to make good-faith edits that legitimately inform people about legislation or events. However, I suppose they can make a personal account at home for later use if they really care, can't they?

As for the bigoted editor, I believe they said 'these days, if I complain about a man using the womyn's restroom then I'm considered transphobic and get called a TERF. This has been happening a lot lately here in the halls of Congress.' If they're being honest and this is legitimately a member of staff then I find it quite heartening that this person feels they're increasingly being criticised for their views and meeting open opposition.
Title: Re: Transphobic Wikipedia Edits made by Congressional IP addresses
Post by: mrs izzy on August 23, 2014, 01:39:20 PM
Congressional staffers banned again from Wikipedia after "transphobic" edits
Edits to Orange is the New Black and other articles earn a month-long ban.

by Joe Mullin - Aug 21 2014, 2:57pm EST
An IP address used by staff at the US House of Representatives has been banned from editing Wikipedia for 30 days. It's the second such punishment for would-be anonymous House Internet users in less than a month.

The first ban was imposed for 10 days after a series of "disruptive" edits, including a change to the entry about the website Mediaite to describe it as a "sexist transphobic news and opinion blog.".................

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2014/08/congressional-staffers-banned-again-from-wikipedia-after-transphobic-edits/

Title: Re: Transphobic Wikipedia Edits made by Congressional IP addresses
Post by: Danielle79 on August 24, 2014, 12:02:36 AM
Apparently someone at the House has too much time on their hands. It was probably a summer intern with nothing to do and little supervision. I would think that professional staffers generally don't have time to do this sort of petty nonsense.
Title: Re: Transphobic Wikipedia Edits made by Congressional IP addresses
Post by: ImagineKate on August 25, 2014, 02:58:16 PM
Quote from: Carrie Liz on August 21, 2014, 12:09:33 PM
I really hope this is just some jerkoff kid using a fake IP address to pretend to be a member of congress.

Unlikely. It is difficult to spoof an IP to that level. This, I am afraid is the real deal. However, it could be anything from someone using their computer, to an open wifi access point. But I wouldn't be surprised at all if it was them.
Title: Re: Transphobic Wikipedia Edits made by Congressional IP addresses
Post by: ImagineKate on August 25, 2014, 02:59:09 PM
Quote from: Danielle79 on August 24, 2014, 12:02:36 AM
Apparently someone at the House has too much time on their hands. It was probably a summer intern with nothing to do and little supervision. I would think that professional staffers generally don't have time to do this sort of petty nonsense.

You would be surprised. There are shenanigans at all levels of Government that would make your blood boil if you knew what was going on.