Talk:Michael Willis

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Repeated Vandalism[edit]

Michael Willis is a well-respected British political Scientist. Unfortunately, someone keeps deleting the current article wholesale and replacing it with some false information that he's an American actor. How can I protect this article?

Mr. charny —Preceding unsigned comment added by 128.243.253.111 (talk) 11:45, 13 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]


So there's more than one[edit]

If the British one can be shown to be notable than we would need to rename the article with his entire name or with a descriptor in parenthesis after his name. Dlohcierekim Deleted? 14:56, 13 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Political scientist[edit]

The version recreated by The University of Nottingham based anon was essentially the same as the version deleted at Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Michael Willis. Dlohcierekim Deleted? 15:30, 13 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Outrageous![edit]

A comprehensive article had already been in existance for quite some time relating to Michael Willis, the Political Scientist and historical author. It is true to say that unfortunately this page was vandalised on a number of occassions (Michael Willis is a well-known figure in Essex, England and thus certain individuals thought it humorous to vandalise this page). However, this does not detract from the validity of the initial article. To simply replace an existing article is outrageous. May I suggest this American actor's page be recreated in another article using his middle initial?

User:Tombacon 16:37, 14 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]

- I am in full agreement with Tom Bacon and have already set about cleaning up the article. I indeed to add sources tomorrow. Let's hope the article isn't commandered by actors again! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 84.64.255.190 (talk) 18:25, 14 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Unfortunately, the history page records who actually makes the edit, as opposed to a fake username typed here. If good sources exist, then perhaps you'll note them at Michael V. Willis. Otherwise, you'd be recreating an article that's already been deleted 9 times, and would have a strong chance to make it 10. --AndrewHowse (talk) 18:31, 14 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]


A case of Willis vs. Willis?[edit]

It seems apparent that there are two persons by the name of Michael Willis, and there is some division of opinion as to which of these deserves greater notoriety. We must examine this issue on two counts. Firstly, which Michael Willis did this article initially relate to? Secondly, although both men work in different spheres, acting and political science, which is more prominent within his own field? —Preceding unsigned comment added by MCVerstappen (talkcontribs) 22:35, 14 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]

While examining these 2 counts, let us also examine the multiple deletions of the alleged political scientist. The recent outbreaks of the political scientist here were surely eligible for speedy deletion as recreations of previously deleted articles. I'm aware of WP:AGF but in this case it seems outweighed by the facts. --AndrewHowse (talk) 22:45, 14 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]
In point of fact the reason why this article was pointed out for deletion was because it had been vandalised, not because the original cotnent was false or un-noteworthy. It therefore seems unfair that the article should be wholely dismissed and replaced in this manner. I would join the calls that the original article be reinstated and a new place be found for the American actor. Mich Verstappen —Preceding unsigned comment added by MCVerstappen (talkcontribs) 22:57, 14 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]
All good fun and so forth; other editors will no doubt verify the history for themselves. --AndrewHowse (talk) 23:05, 14 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]

No. the reason this article has been deleted many times is because the subject has not been shown to meet WP:BIO. Cheers, Dlohcierekim Deleted? 01:21, 15 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I will reinstate Michael Willis in its original form, cleaning up any trace of vandalism and generally streamlining the article. I will however look to improve sources since this appears to be the major weakness with the original "Michael Willis". All help welcome! -- User:MCVerstappen\MCVerstappen (User talk:MCVerstappen\talk) 23:25, 14February 2008 (UTC) —Preceding unsigned comment added by MCVerstappen (talkcontribs)

Recreation of article about political scientist[edit]

If you recreate the other Michael Willis, you will need to retitle. This one is already taken. As that article has been deleted for lack of notability and lack of verifiable sources, outrage aside, you must establish notability and verifiability. The issue was not vandalism. The issue was that the subject did not meet WP:BIO. Please see the deletion discussion at Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Michael Willis. May I suggest the title Michael Willis (political scientist) or Michael V. Willis to distinguish it from this one? Cheers Dlohcierekim Deleted? 01:15, 15 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Michael V. Willis would work best here. Add {{for|the actor|Michael Willis}} to that article, and something similar to this one. dihydrogen monoxide (H20) 22:27, 15 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]


Michael Willis Picture[edit]

I will upload my original BBC News black and white photo of the political scientist. I'm not sure what the landscape painting is doing there at present. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 84.64.255.190 (talk) 23:25, 15 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Hmm. I wish you'd stop, please stop replacing this article with material from a deleted article. Dlohcierekim Deleted? 03:33, 16 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I've never heard of Michael Willis the actor, but Michael Willis the political scientist is well-known in Eastern England, and not simply in political circles. 84.64.255.190 (talk) 23:03, 16 February 2008 (UTC)


Hmmm. "Never heard if him" is not a good argument as to include/exclude- create/delete an article about a subject. I never heard of either one of them. Local notability in a part of England is probably not going to met WP:BIO. Unlike the other guy, the actor is showing what look like verifiable sources. As the political scientist article was deleted at AFD, you might want to seek a Deletion Review. Or you can recreate the article about the political scientist with a different title from this one. Unless you can provide verifiable sources showing the subject meets notability requirements, it might well get deleted again. As has been written before in previous sections. Cheers, Dlohcierekim Deleted? 23:14, 16 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Political scientist issue[edit]

When this article is back to the political scientist I will be able to make some useful additions. I heard that Wikipedia.org was basicially broken but I didn't realise it was this bad. How does one loosen the hand of the constant vandal? Michael WIllis is neither American nor is he a character actor (sigh) MCVerstappen (talk) 15:21, 21 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]

The article will not be "back to the political scientist." You cannot usurp this article name like that. Furthermore, as has been repeated before. The political scientist article was deleted because no verifiable sources were provided to assert the subject's meeting WP:BIO. Your vandalistic edits to this article have not helped your cause. Your actions of adding irrelevant content to this article and moving this article and its talk page are disruptive. You need to stop doing that. It's getting you nowhere and undermines whatever claim to reasonableness you might have. Obviously, from the sources provided, there is a Michael Willis who is an America actor. The article about the other Michael Willis was deleted as the result of this deleted at Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Michael Willis. Feel free to recreate Michael Willis (Political Scientist) when you can provide verifiable sources. Cheers, and happy editing. Dlohcierekim 17:05, 21 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Third opinion[edit]

This is a case of vandalism, pure and simple. The AfD was pretty cut and dry on htis. MCVerstappen has been warned again; if this issue persists, take it to WP:AIV. — HelloAnnyong (say whaaat?!) 17:52, 21 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks, HelloAnnyong. I was hoping some other path would appear before me. Dlohcierekim 18:36, 21 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Understandable, dlohcierekim, but apparently your new friends above are either not reading your posts or don't understand them for some reason. Blocking may be the only way to get their attention and make them read the information you've provided for them. Natalie (talk) 19:22, 21 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Michael Willis is not an actor I'll tell you that much. This article is a wild falsification. What heading is the real Michael Willis under? Ernienotsowise (talk) 18:39, 21 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Wild falsification? So SAG and IMDb are in cohoots again, I suppose.
Wait a minute... is it possible that two people could have the same name? Surely not! Must be a lie, then. Natalie (talk) 19:22, 21 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]

This matter is now listed for discussion at AN/I. Dlohcierekim 18:58, 21 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]


Help![edit]

I was searching for an article about Michael Willis the political commentator. It used to be here but now I can't find it. I'm attending one of his Seminars in London next week - can anyone tell me where I can find the article? I wanted to do some research on him. cheers! TodMartin1985 (talk) 23:21, 29 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]


Unfortunately the real Michael Willis article was removed and replaced with some rubbish about him being an American actor. Whilst this is humorous it is also tiresome. I would like to see the correct article brought back. 90.241.200.60 (talk) 21:55, 1 April 2008 (UTC)[reply]

April Fool! The trolls are back. --AndrewHowse (talk) 23:17, 1 April 2008 (UTC)[reply]

No you're the fool. Michael Willis is a famous political scientist. This article needs to get its priorities right, literally.128.243.220.21 (talk) 16:43, 14 April 2008 (UTC)[reply]

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