Is Joey Didier’s Murder Worthy of Wiki? Updated X1

9 comments June 26th, 2008

The Joey Didier murder was big, big news in Rockford. Robert Lower abducted, raped and murdered Didier, a morning newspaper boy, in 1975. It was one of the region’s most heinous crimes.

But does the Didier murder warrant its own entry on Wikipedia, the interactive online encyclopedia? That question is the subject of much debate among Wikipedia contributors.

Joey Didier

Some say the Didier murder may have been a big deal in Rockford, but that it doesn’t meet Wikipedia’s “notability” standard and that the story therefore ought to be removed. Others say it was big news even beyond Rockford and that it therefore ought to stay.

The entry, called “Murder of Joseph Didier,” is here. The debate over whether to strike it is underway here.

Those seeking to erase Didier’s story from Wikipedia have already succeeded in removing a separate but related entry called simply “Joseph Didier.”

What do you think? Head on over there and weigh in.

UPDATE 1

I’ve been on the road, and away from the blog. It is now evident, as Bookworm pointed out in comments, that Didier’s murder is not worthy of Wiki — at least not as far as a moderator was concerned. The moderator today deleted the post.

Help Wanted: Copy Editor for Illinois Guv

3 comments June 26th, 2008

Gov. Rod Blagojevich today issued a statement to express his displeasure with the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision that individuals — folks unconnected with service in a militia — have the right to possess guns.

Only, the governor’s brief statement included at least two apparent typographical errors. It also was missing an apostrophe.

Can you find the errors? Here’s the governor’s statement:

Statement from Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich

On the Supreme Court Ruling on Gun-Control Law

CHICAGO – “I want express my extreme disappointment with the decision issued today by the Supreme Court. Every day, around the country, too many lives are lost to senseless gun violence. The Courts decision today will only add to the pain that parents, classmates and communities are forced to endure. It will also put more police officers at risk. I am an advocate for common sense gun laws. Gun laws that save lives, protect communities and offer greater safety protections for police officers. I look forward to working the Illinois General Assembly to provide additional protections for Illinois communities.”

Blago: Show Me The Money

Add comment June 26th, 2008

Gov. Blagojevich is on a fundraising tear, even as the floor drops out of state government and his popularity rating hovers near record lows.

Gov. Blagojevich has a major fund-raiser in Chicago on Thursday, in a big fund-raising week done with no transparency. On Monday, Blagojevich headlined a fund-raiser at the Hyatt on Wacker aimed at female donors. Labor leader Margaret Blackshere was the m.c.

Increasingly, Blagojevich has used his campaign fund to pay Chicago law firm Winston & Strawnfor legal representation. The feds are probing the governor’s hiring, contracting and fundraising practices, having just won the conviction of Tony Rezko, a top Blagojevich insider.