Vote Of No Confidence: TheDarkKnight

**Pontifex Maximus** · August 07, 2022, 11:41 AM

As evidenced by this announcement from Hex, the Tribunal has been rendered incapable of performing its function due to the inactivity of the Tribunes. Because of this, Hex ix considering

... we need to rethink the Tribunal. We'll post again with an update - probably at the end of August or in early September.

The tribunal is one of the most important institutions on TWC, providing a forum for all members to seek impartial adjudication of their interactions with staff. This point is so self evident I do not even think I need to expound further. Even a bad tribunal is better than no tribunal. Even a dysfunctional tribunal is better than a non-functional tribunal. As such, I propose the following resolution:

I. Due to inactivity, it is the resolution of the Curia that TheDarkKnight be removed from his position as Tribune.
II. This decision is founded only upon his inactivity (No log in since April 28, 2022)
III. Hex shall appoint a replacement within 21 days of the passage of this resolution.
IV. Should Hex fail to provide replacements within the prescribed period, the Curia shall commence proceedings to replace the Tribunes pursuant to Section II Article II.

**Akar** · August 07, 2022, 11:48 AM

Reposting what I put in the other thread:

I support this proposal however Tribunes are not, per the Const., considered to be Curial Officers as they are not elected and as such they are not subject to votes of no confidence or any other aspect of the Constitution that specifically applies to Curial Officers.

**Gaius Baltar** · August 07, 2022, 11:51 AM

Support

**Pontifex Maximus** · August 07, 2022, 11:57 AM

Originally Posted by Akar

Reposting what I put in the other thread:

I support this proposal however Tribunes are not, per the Const., considered to be Curial Officers as they are not elected and as such they are not subject to votes of no confidence or any other aspect of the Constitution that specifically applies to Curial Officers.

Acknowledged, but this is a man the barricades moment. I will not tolerate an abolition of the tribunal, as I believe most people here will not.

**PikeStance** · August 08, 2022, 01:50 AM

Technically, a VoNC is someone we can actually removed. However, the Curia can recommend that Admin removed any person of authority, including an admin. As with any "proposals" the admin can adopt or veto any curial proposals, elections, etc.

I support their removal. Admin and Tribunal should login/ check in regularly.
How do we miss four months of zero activity?

**Lifthrasir** · August 08, 2022, 04:24 AM

Originally Posted by Akar

Reposting what I put in the other thread:

I support this proposal however Tribunes are not, per the Const., considered to be Curial Officers as they are not elected and as such they are not subject to votes of no confidence or any other aspect of the Constitution that specifically applies to Curial Officers.

Akar is correct. No matter what the result is, this can't be considered as valid. However, I leave it open for discussion.

**mishkin** · August 08, 2022, 04:48 AM

Originally Posted by mishkin

How can anyone support a non-Curia staff member being tried by the Curia? Who will be next, someone from content staff? a moderator?

have you considered voncing Ged? would be equally stupid, but would at least prove that you have balls. (my apologies for the machismo, down with the patriarchy).

the height of ridiculous, two threads for exactly the same.

Originally Posted by PikeStance

Technically, a VoNC is someone we can actually removed. However, the Curia can recommend that Admin removed any person of authority, including an admin. As with any "proposals" the admin can adopt or veto any curial proposals, elections, etc.

yes, technically you can approve an amendment declaring that the curia now controls moderation or that all users must declare themselves against pineapple on pizza. technically, and in practice, the curia can be as ridiculous as it wants.

**Kilo11** · August 08, 2022, 05:59 AM

As Akar, I am reposting my points from the other thread:

Before responding to any of Pontifex's points, I think it is important to ask that anyone who has a real life way to get in contact with Iskar or TheDarkKnight do so, to make sure they are doing alright. Both of these guys are respected members of this community who have given much time and effort to help maintain this site, and I find their abrupt absences to be worrying. True, sudden and unexplained absence does present grounds for removal from posts integral to the functioning of the TWC, but this is more importantly a ground for concern. Put simply, we should first and foremost be looking for our friends, not our pitchforks.

That being said (and meant with the utmost sincerity), Pontifex does raise valid points. Without tribunes the tribunal cannot by definition function, and the functioning of the tribunal is a crucial check on the powers of moderation, something which itself is critical for the health and legitimacy (both perceived and real) of the site. As such, the absence of both Iskar and TheDarkKnight does indeed call for some sort of action. As pointed out above, the post of tribune is not one subject to democratic influence from the curia, but even so, the curia has a responsibility to make its voice heard. After all, the foremost job of any demos is to speak, whether or not such speech has directly binding impact on administration.

Given all of this, it is with a heavy heart that I support the above motion, and call for replacement of both Iskar and TheDarkKnight in their posts as tribunes. I hope to heck the two of them are doing alright in real life, and come out of the woodwork at the last minute and make this all moot, but on the assumption that they won't, and with an eye toward the importance of the tribunal, I support the motion for their removal from office.