User:Wgfinley

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User:Wgfinley as captured by himself (is that John Cusack standing on my shoulder?).

W. Guy Finley is:
Libertarian and former LPI officer (hooray for former!)
Photo Dweeb
Lazy Blogger & Podcaster
Reachable by email

[edit] Hiatus

I'm on a hiatus from Wikipedia for an undetermined time, parts of the philosophy have just come to irritate me and I think I just naturally go through cycles of contributing and creating and then get frustrated by the drama and leave for a bit and then come back when I'm recharged. So, as of now, I'm recharging.  :D --Wgfinley 19:34, 27 May 2006 (UTC)

[edit] About Me

I got started with Wikipedia after I was constantly coming to it for research reasons on various issues. Before long I saw areas where I could contribute and have done so. Lately my focus has been on the Watergate scandal and trying to get bios up for all the figures, correct articles that need it, expand them where needed.

Also I get very interested in photos and trying to ensure they are verified and pass muster to be included. I spend a lot of time locating public domain versions of non-free images, usually concerning U.S. Presidents.

I worked as a claims adjuster for 10 years and got tired of that. Tried to do music production from my home along with other work in graphic design and new media before realizing I needed money for gear. Went back to being a dirt-bag claims adjuster for another company. Guess that degree from USC will never get finished!!

Associated Press letter to me granting permission to use two famous AP photos.

My most recent work has been on images where Wikipedia has claimed fair use but hasn't tried to secure permissions for them. On April 1, 2005 (no, it was no April Fool!), I obtained permission from The Associated Press to use two of their most famous photos: Joe Rosenthal's picture of the flag raising on Iwo Jima and Nick Ut's picture of Kim Phuc Phan Thi and others at Trang Bang, Vietnam.

I'm a strong believer that some of our claims on fair use stretch too far, especially when we don't at least try to secure permissions for copyrighted works. I think my success here demonstrates you can be successful, even with two of the most famous photos in the world.

As an advocate I certainly emulate the great Clarence Darrow, maybe it's because we're both from Illinois. I particularly love one of his famous quotations:

"Lost causes are the only ones worth fighting for."

[edit] Current Projects

Preston Tucker

1948 Tucker Sedan

Watergate relate articles (still)

[edit] Awards & Boxes

I, blankfaze, hereby award you this Barnstar, for your great work securing permission from the AP to use Image:TrangBang.jpg.

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