Talk:Earl Butz

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[edit] Removal of libelous material

Several paragraphs were removed, all unsourced libelous material was removed, and the source given for the Air Force One remarks is not sufficiently reliable. Please see: Wikipedia:Biographies of living persons and Wikipedia:Reliable sources.--DO11.10 00:51, 23 March 2007 (UTC)

Poor Earl. The one thing he'll be remembered for, and fear of liability ensures the quote won't appear even here. Google his name and "loose shoes" if you want to know what it was alleged he said. Asat 04:34, 28 March 2007 (UTC)

The problem here is not an issue of "liability", the problem is a lack of reliable sources for the inflammatory comments. The citation that was provided was essentially a blog, however the official policy is that Material found in self-published books, zines, websites or blogs should never be used, unless written or published by the subject. If the comments can be attributed to a reliable source they can certainly be returned to the article. Really, just think, would you want people to quote something YOU might have said (true or not) on Wikipedia without a good source to back it up? I certainly wouldn't.--DO11.10 22:05, 28 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] he might be known for actual agricultural work, too

Butz is mentioned heavily in "the omnivore's dilemma", in a discussion of the radical shift in how agriculture subsidies and controls worked during his tenure in office, leading to a huge drop in corn prices since then.

[edit] loose mouth

This is sourced (time magazine) and notable for two reasons - first, such a statement by the U.S. Sec. of Ag., acting in his official capacity, is clearly worthy of interest, as shown by the attention given by major media like time

Second, those old enough to recall the Nixon presidency will know that their was a great deal of hypocrysiy about foul language - in the privacy of the oval office, nixon cursed like a sailor, but in his public persona, he was pure and chastized others who were note. The butz quote is part of this presidential history. (not that nixon was alone in his hypocrysy, but I think he was more aggresive)Cinnamon colbert 13:26, 22 June 2007 (UTC)

The issue with that section is there is no context/history/detail of the quote. In its current state that section is junk. Im going to remove it. If you can give it more context and fit it into the article properly please re-write it. But as it is its a BLP/POV issue Betacommand ^{(talk • contribs • Bot)} 14:09, 22 June 2007 (UTC)

Butz is famous more for his racist statements than for any policies he espoused in office. The context is already present in the article itself. I think the "no maka the rules" thing is germane, and well referenced. Uucp 14:20, 22 June 2007 (UTC)

There is a little context in the next section, but the section in question needs re-written, and expanded. As it is now is not appropriate for an encyclopedia. Instead of just throwing out that quote with only a shred of context, why not expand give the political and media response to it. and also make it NPOV. Betacommand ^{(talk • contribs • Bot)} 14:43, 22 June 2007 (UTC)

I have removed those versions from the history for BLP issues. While the section may be relevant, in its current version it is highly POV and borderline defamatory. Please consider heavily how to write it before it is reinserted. ^demon^{[omg plz]} 14:52, 22 June 2007 (UTC)

Woh. It was a quote from Time Magazine, with footnote, and you blew away the history? Uucp 14:53, 22 June 2007 (UTC)