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WP:SNOW Isn't Policy.
Seriously. Except in the most obvious of cases, people need to stop citing the Snowball Clause as justification for waving goodbye at policy and process. This includes, to some extent, to WP:IAR as well. WP:SNOW and WP:IAR are both based on common sense, but as of recent, there is a growing trend to apply it to every situation possible.
On XfD and DRV.
In controversial XfDs, and the DRVs which often follow, WP:SNOW shouldn't be used as a vote or as a line of thought, regardless of the trend at the time at closing. There are seven days there for a reason; That's how long it typically takes to get a concrete consensus one way or another.
However, the key is being controversial. 20 votes to delete and 30 to keep is controversial; 20 to 60 isn't. There is a threshold which seperates a voting trend from a ironed-out consensus; Learn to see it. When you can't quite see it, air on the side of letting debate continue. Allowing the AfD to stand longer saves drama, ensures a consensus (or lack thereof), and just looks better. This point is only going to become more vital as policies such as the "GNAA rule" are proposed and, officially or not, start becoming common practice.
On blocks.
In the case of controversial blocks, just wait until it stops being controversial. Considering the fact that blocks are designed as preventive measures instead of punishment, this drills down...
- To policy having been violated, with, ideally, a clear intent to continue violation...
- Or, a very clear intent to violate policy having been established on Wikipedia.
Just the same as before, it doesn't hurt the Wiki and it saves time and bad face. Additionally, note that this is a good example of where WP:SNOW and WP:IAR is most often employed to good extent as a administrator. If someone skirts established policy like ...someone about to make a obscene joke about skirts, then use common sense and hammer them. Hammer them hard, with a large mallet, bat, club, mace, or what have you.
