The following discussion is an archived debate of the proposed deletion of the article below. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page (such as the article's talk page or in a deletion review). No further edits should be made to this page.

The result was keep. There is a strong consensus here not to delete the content of this page, although consensus is less strong on the question whether to keep this as a separate article or to merge/redirect the content to the main article. This is not a question to be decided at AFD though, so this discussion can be closed with the advice to take the discussion whether to redirect and/or merge the content to the article's talk page. Regards SoWhy 20:04, 14 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Anthony Weiner sexting scandal (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) – (View log)
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PRODded on the basis of WP:NOTNEWS. PROD was heavily contested. This nomination should not be taken as a vote on my part for deletion; I am listing as an AFD because the PROD was heavily contested. —Lowellian (reply) 10:19, 7 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Comment The PROD was "heavily contested", but if you read the talk page where IP's stated their reason... well, you can see they aren't exactly using the soundest arguments. My favorites are to keep "because subject is news" and "This page should not be speedy deleted because it's about a penis, which is fucking hilarious!" Those are direct quotes. – Muboshgu (talk) 12:59, 7 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
WP:NOTSCANDAL deals with rumormongering and hearsay. But no one denies the central facts of the case, the nature of the published photos, or that Weiner himself held a press conference to admit his actions. Hardly rumors and hearsay. μηδείς (talk) 14:17, 7 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
NOTSCANDAL also reads, "Articles should not be written purely to attack the reputation of another person." It is clear, particularly with the expansion at the Weiner bio to include a section about "responses" that the intention is to pile punditry. Noting Minority Leader Pelosi's pledge to seek an investigation is appropriate, and there may be some other notable response or there may not be. The point is that we are condoning the creation of articles and sections in advance of the things actually justifying those things. So people will start filling them in with all the inanity they can cite, because there's a section for it, or a whole article page and they want to remove the "stub" tag, rather than because this is actually materially relevant to concise encyclopedic coverage of what happened and the result. At the moment, this is simply a scandal about sending photos and other communication between people who had never met. We make it more after it becomes more, not before. Abrazame (talk) 16:58, 7 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
Political commentators in various news organizations seem to be of the collective opinion that this event has already changed the landscape of the New York City mayoral election, 2013 (see below). That makes it notable. The content you're complaining about can be fixed by editing. We're only debating here whether the article stays, or not. Thx, Agricola44 (talk) 17:06, 7 June 2011 (UTC).[reply]
Yeah, but they had all those political commentators in ostensibly to talk about Romney entering the race yet with all this recentism what the hell else at various news organizations did they get asked this week? I'd like to hear their collective opinion about a 2013 mayoral election some time in 2012; in mid 2011, it's idle speculation and not even remotely a serious argument for encyclopedic notability. As others have said, if it becomes that, then we can deal with it that way at that point down the road. Abrazame (talk) 17:24, 7 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
I think it's flippant to call the analysis of multiple political commentators in the mainstream media "idle speculation". The standard you're setting here is to effectively "prove a negative". Say he doesn't run. Short of him saying that he didn't run because of this scandal (which he would be highly unlikely to do), one couldn't prove that was the reason. Say he does run and looses. Again, would be hard-pressed to proove it was because of this. I think what we're saying here is that there are many WP:RS from professionals that now agree that this event has changed the landscape of the New York City mayoral election, 2013, and that is notable. Agricola44 (talk) 17:56, 7 June 2011 (UTC).[reply]
There's no question that this particular matter of Weiner's life and career is a wp:standalone subject and is definitely "wp:notable". And appealing to "WP:SCANDAL" is silly, as the policy on that clearly says "scandal mongering from stuff heard through the grapevine" and should not be "libelous" etc. This is not libelous at all, but simply factual summation of what's happened, and what's involved. If other sex scandals involving politicians have their own articles (which they do) there's no reason at all for this one not to exist. This is NOT just a news story, but has become an actual "topic". Bigger and separate than just Weiner's life or career in general. This situation is overwhelmingly sourced (reliably), and is definitely a separate and stand-alone topic. Not just regular "news", but an actual topic now. Deserving its own separate WP article. Hashem sfarim (talk) 06:50, 8 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
Promulgating the musing that this may affect his chances in a future election he has not yet declared himself to be running in is WP:CRYSTAL based on recentist speculation the very day of his admission. They're allowed to go on TV and fill a 20-minute segment (and another, and another, and...) with it, but we're supposed to consider only what is encyclopedic, and only after it has happened. In a WP:BLP it is an attack to the person's reputation to say that some episode may or has been said could possibly or think likely to damage his prospects for some future election. I find it absurd to say we would have to "prove a negative", because the point here is that, should he run and lose, or should he not run, at that point in time there will be someone who will opine that the reason for this was, to whatever degree, this scandal, and then we might well include that. Because we will not be promoting a prediction, we will be attributing notably sourced opinions on causality to an historical event. There would likely be polls by then, for example, or at least exit polling, where we could learn X% expressed this as having changed their opinion of his fitness for service, while X% said they were happy with his service and thought this no reason to vote for the other guy. So their opinion wouldn't be idle speculation, but based in what the electorate of Weiner's district actually did, and what they said about why they did it. Yesterday morning, C-SPAN had an hour or so of Democrat and Independent NY callers (those already not inclined against him in the abstract), where only three callers expressed that they would not now vote for him. Then they opened the calls up to the whole country and there were plenty of Southern Republicans who found this grounds for impeachment. I don't think the jury is in on Weiner's electability, and I don't think it's encyclopedically responsible for us to present one, or even both, sides of that question until there is some historical perspective, like not being two years ahead of the thing. Abrazame (talk) 10:06, 8 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
I don't say that this will necessarily "damage his prospects". Even if others have said that, that's not my point. But that just as the situation stands NOW, it's a stand-alone topic, and copiously sourced. Something that is arguably bigger and more separate than just Anthony Weiner or his life. It's a separate situation, and quite notable. As it stands now. Regardless of what may happen in the future regarding it. Hashem sfarim (talk) 11:27, 8 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
So what? The question is, does this have any significance beyond his own career. Thus far, no evidence of that at all. Guy (Help!) 15:12, 7 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
If not, then as a second choice, merge the entire article into Anthony Weiner. --Metropolitan90 (talk) 04:35, 8 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
  • In another article at CBS news, Chris Smith, a columnist at New York magazine said "I think his chances of running for Mayor are zero. It's pretty simple. He was the frontrunner until two weeks ago". Seems pretty conclusive that political commentators collectively believe that the NYC political landscape has already been changed by this specific event, nevermind that Weiner may ultimately be forced to resign his current post, as well. Agricola44 (talk) 16:55, 7 June 2011 (UTC).[reply]
Keep. The article is now no longer an exact/identical cut-and-paste of the AW article, as it was initially. It was not appropriate to keep in the form that it was originally created, but is appropriate to keep at this point in time.--Epeefleche (talk) 02:40, 10 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
  • Seems to have no problem with support here. Running about 2 to 1 at the moment for "keep". I don't think we're debating the creator's motivation or form here either. Agricola44 (talk) 18:05, 7 June 2011 (UTC).[reply]
Note: This debate has been included in the list of People-related deletion discussions. — -- Cirt (talk) 19:06, 7 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
Note: This debate has been included in the list of United States of America-related deletion discussions. — -- Cirt (talk) 19:06, 7 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
Note: This debate has been included in the list of New York-related deletion discussions. — -- Cirt (talk) 19:06, 7 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
Note: This debate has been included in the list of Politics-related deletion discussions. — -- Cirt (talk) 19:06, 7 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
Note: This debate has been included in the list of Social science-related deletion discussions. — -- Cirt (talk) 19:07, 7 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
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To expand the KEEP above with reasoning:

WP:NEWSEVENT applies rather then WP:NOTNEWS because the inclusion criteria WP:INDEPTH and WP:CONTINUEDCOVERAGE apply.
WP:NOTCENSORED is of importance because the material belongs somewhere and due to the amount of referenced material is will not fit into the Anthony Weiner article.
WP:NotEarly applies, anything less could imply CENSORship and political conflict of interest as appeared to occur with Bigotsgate. AFD to run 7 full days and not less(unless SNOW applies). Regards, SunCreator (talk) 10:13, 8 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
  • Bigotsgate (this is the first I've heard of that—I did see the Brown comments about the woman on CNN) — which links to a section of an article about an election and not its own article (for those who don't understand) — was an issue of a pattern of comments by a number of elected officials specifically about their own constituencies. Those statements go directly to the state of mind about the obligation or lack thereof they perceive they have to these people as their elected public representatives. This story has absolutely none of that relevancy to service element. Similarly, if the argument is that we need to examine the ways that technology like e-mails or social media like Twitter is not as private as their users in the public eye seem to believe, then that should be the article, as Bigotsgate was not specifically about one person's comments precisely because none of those comments was in and of itself relevant beyond their own biography, but when taken as a whole were perceived to be a significant phenomenon, sign-of-the-times, political attitude, or what-have-you. Because if there were a broader article about some encyclopedically responsible analysis of this aspect of the Weiner sexting scandal as part of a broader look at these issues of the publicness of e-mails, texts and social media, then I'd be all for that. Show me where to support that kind of approach. But that's not specifically relevant to this one scandal alone, and is not the raison d'etre for this article, which exists to provide sordid details that are not materially relevant, in the interest of prurience and political smearing. To WP:NOTCENSORED, what element currently or likely to go into this subject's own article do you think has been or is likely to be censored from its coverage in the biography? Isn't that the point of WP:COATRACK, that the encyclopedia is only supposed to cover the encyclopedically responsible aspect of the story, and not spin it off to be piled with every sordid detail and self-interested response? Just what material is it that you believe "belongs somewhere" but was not at the bio? Abrazame (talk) 11:52, 8 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
  • If you believe much of the photo scandal articles content isn't required gain consensus and get it removed from the article. If that happened I may support a merge. I doubt you would get consensus for removal of content and hence the article can't be merged. Regards, SunCreator (talk) 23:50, 8 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
  • You haven't answered my question. You seem like a fairly neutral individual who also happens to have some personal perspective to bring to bear on a scandal AfD/merge. What of the material at that article that you believe is really essential to an understanding of this issue do you think is inappropriate or unlikely to be added to the bio in the event of an article deletion? Don't misunderstand, I don't mean what excessive detail or redundant treatment, I mean what essential and relevant element? Abrazame (talk) 00:55, 9 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
  • Keep:
  • A groundbreaking story in that it illustrates the rise of social media into today's modern culture and place in the lifestyles of people from many walks of life, from congressmen to middle-Americans, and the question of whether Internet affairs are equivalent to infidelity [6]
  • Weiner was a rising star in the Democratic party and possible candidate for future high-profile offices and this has effected future races [7]
  • The media has compared and contrasted the response by the Democrats to this incident with those of high-profile Republicans caught engaging in similar behavior
  • Pelosi has called for an ethics investigation into Weiner's behavior
  • High-profile colleagues and friends of Weiner who hold elected office have commented publicly on the incident
  • Weiner is a public figure and employee (as an elected legislature whose salary is paid by the taxpayers) and therefore accountable to the public, with no right to privacy, for behavior which reflects on his performance or suitability for public office
  • Weiner may have used government equipment for the acts, including computers, phones, and office space
  • The incident has given a great deal of publicity to a conservative blogger, who commandeered the microphone before Weiner's press statement, which was reported on in the media
  • More women are coming forward with hundreds of emails and photographs [8]
  • The incident has been center stage for jokes and humor on American evening talk shows like the Daily Show, Tonight Show, etc, so is a major pop-culture incident
  • Delete
  • It's one of many hundreds of these type of scandals that surface from time to time and then are usually quickly forgotten
  • Weiner has not resigned or been fired
  • NOTNEWS Cla68 (talk) 05:04, 8 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
"This could get serious" is the gist of much of the keep arguments, and is hardly a strong argument. We create articles after something gets serious, not before, and the very fact that so many people expect there to be further developments without any evidence thereof is one of this discussion's best arguments for deleting, not for keeping. If "this" gets "serious", that's the time to seriously propose its own article. As of now, this is not serious. Abrazame (talk) 15:39, 8 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
To re-iterate, and not sure why you're not getting this simple fact. I don't say that this will necessarily "damage his prospects". Even if others have said that, that's not my point. But that just as the situation stands NOW, it's a stand-alone topic, and copiously sourced. Something that is arguably bigger and more separate than just Anthony Weiner or his life. It's a separate situation, and quite notable. As it stands now. Regardless of what may happen in the future regarding it. Hashem sfarim (talk) 17:01, 8 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
He wasn't talking to you. And you've never really backed up your opinion that it's notable on its own other than citing WP:JUSTAPOLICY. Morgan Wick (talk) 06:26, 10 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
I don't care if he wasn't talking to me. I commented to it anyway. Plus he WAS talking to me further above, when I was not talking to him. Yet I don't see you griping at him about it. (Plus, I wasn't talking to you, yet that didn't stop you from snarling at me just now, did it? And it's fine that you did, as this is supposed to be an open exchange, etc.) Also, you say that I have not really backed up my "opinion" (it's not an opinion, but a FACT) that it's notable. You obviously see what you want to see, and ignore what you want to. This topic is stand-alone, notable, overwhelmingly sourced, and it undeniably warrants a separate WP article. If other sex scandals involving politicians have their own articles (which they do) there's no reason at all for this one not to exist. This is NOT just a news story, but has become an actual "topic". Bigger and separate than just Weiner's life or career in general. Not sure why you can't see that (maybe you don't want to see it that way.) Also, again, to repeat, and this is NOT just pointing to WP policy like you said I did (which, by the way, should theoretically make its point anyway...though I did a bit more than just that)...I don't say that this will necessarily "damage his prospects". Or even consider any future anything regarding it. Even if others have said that, that's not my point. But that just as the situation stands NOW, it's a stand-alone topic, and copiously sourced. Something that is arguably bigger and more separate than just Anthony Weiner or his life. It's a separate situation, and quite notable. As it stands now. Regardless of what may happen in the future regarding it. So yes, there is not a snow-ball's chance in hell that this article will disappear, despite the whiny wishes of a FEW that it should, for whatever uptight reasons. Let's get real here. (Anything is possible, but let's be real about the snowball situation...how many people would even tolerate this article being deleted?) Especially with the way the article has grown and developed. SNOW is so applicable here, it's like not funny. Hashem sfarim (talk) 06:40, 10 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
The main reason why I "snarl[ed] at you" was that you assumed he was referring to you, and claimed that you weren't saying anything about WP:CRYSTAL at all, when it wasn't clear from his remarks that you were who he was referring to. Clearly people have a different reading of the relevant notability policies than you do, so it's not as clear-cut a "FACT" as you're making it out to be, and you haven't helped your case by not showing why it's a "FACT", instead citing WP:JUSTAPOLICY while ignoring that people are missing what you're allegedly pointing to. And the only thing new that you've introduced here is WP:OTHERSTUFFEXISTS. As for the more general gist of your argument, see below. Morgan Wick (talk) 05:07, 11 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
Neither were Larry Craig and Mark Foley's scandals, and yet their articles were kept and developed. Booyahhayoob (talk) 16:04, 8 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
Anybody with half a brain. Opps, he is a congressman, you are right. --Threeafterthree (talk) 17:54, 8 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
Per Dictionary.com: scan-dal (noun): (1) a disgraceful or discreditable action, circumstance, etc. (2) an offense caused by a fault or misdeed. (3) damage to reputation; public disgrace.
So, you feel it is debatable whether the Representatives mistatements for a week and a half constitute something discreditable, a fault, damaging to reputation, is that correct. At what point do you feel such a designation to be applicable? A WP article on the Lewinski affair? the Teapot dome affair? Please explain.--Hodgson-Burnett's Secret Garden (talk) 15:30, 10 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
The above discussion is preserved as an archive of the debate. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page (such as the article's talk page or in a deletion review). No further edits should be made to this page.