BrandonMillhollandCorcoran

October 2021

Welcome to Wikipedia. Because we have a policy against usernames which give the impression that the account represents a group, organization or website, I have blocked this account; please take a moment to create a new account with a username that represents only yourself as an individual and which complies with our username policy or request a change of username.

You should also read our conflict of interest guideline and be aware that promotional editing is not acceptable regardless of the username you choose. Additionally, if your contributions to Wikipedia form all or part of work for which you are, or expect to be, paid, you must disclose who is paying you to edit.

Please also note that you are permitted to use a username that contains the name of a company or organization if it identifies you individually, such as "Sara Smith at XYZ Company", "Mark at WidgetsUSA", or "FoobarFan87".

If your username does not represent a group, organization or website, you may appeal this username block by adding the text {{unblock|reason=Your reason here ~~~~}} at the bottom of your talk page.

You may simply create a new account, but you may prefer to change your username to one that complies with our username policy, so that your past contributions are associated with your new username. If you would prefer to change your username, you may appeal this username block by adding the text

{{unblock-un|new username|reason=Your reason here ~~~~}}

at the bottom of your talk page. Please note that you may only request a name that is not already in use, so please check here for a listing of already taken names.

 Thank you. Cabayi (talk) 09:27, 27 October 2021 (UTC)

While the template above focuses on the group aspect of the username, which you assert it is not, I'm blocking it as promotional, which it undoubtedly is. Cabayi (talk) 09:29, 27 October 2021 (UTC)

This user's unblock request has been reviewed by an administrator, who declined the request. Other administrators may also review this block, but should not override the decision without good reason (see the blocking policy).

BrandonMillhollandCorcoran (block log • active blocks • global blocks • contribs • deleted contribs • filter log • creation log • change block settings • unblock • checkuser (log))

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Request reason:

CandidateBrandonMillhollandCorcoran

Decline reason:

We don't get to write about ourselves on Wikipedia. --jpgordon^{𝄢𝄆𝄐𝄇} 03:45, 28 October 2021 (UTC)

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If you want to make any further unblock requests, please read the guide to appealing blocks first, then use the {{unblock}} template again. If you make too many unconvincing or disruptive unblock requests, you may be prevented from editing this page until your block has expired. Do not remove this unblock review while you are blocked.

This user's request to be unblocked to request a change in username has been reviewed by an administrator, who declined the request. Other administrators may also review this block, but should not override the decision without a good reason (see the blocking policy). Do not remove this unblock review while you are blocked.

BrandonMillhollandCorcoran (block log • active blocks • global blocks • autoblocks • contribs • deleted contribs • filter log • creation log • change block settings • unblock • checkuser (log))

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Requested username:

BrandonMillhollandCorcoran (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)

Request reason:

To the Esteemed Administrators,

Ladies and Gentleman, There must be some conflict that I am unaware of. I hereby cite WP:AUTOBIO that gives me authority to make edits in regards to me if they mislead or anything else. I am a candidate in the 2022 Minnesota Gubernatorial race, and an article posted does bear my name. While I may have messed up by not suggesting an edit, the edits I have made were not revoked and were impartial. Had they not been, I fully expect the other editors would have revoked them. I have been open and honest in regards to any conflict of interest. I understand that others have not been able to write about themselves without bias, I am not others. I have not engaged in an editing war over what has been written in regards to me and have only cleaned up what I felt needed to be cleaned up. If you look at my contributions you will see that. My last edits were to ensure that nothing was misleading about me. There was the word "pilot" in front of my name on a photo. I edited it to remove it. I am not a pilot. I chose a different image than the one from the paper because I am not sure if there was a copyright to it. I have gone to great lengths to ensure fairness in my editing and ensure that it was neutral. The last edit I made was in regards to my website name. I recently edited the link to my campaign page because the domain had been changed. Had others went to click on the link, they would have been redirected to a page that doesn't exist. I am not trying to promote myself over the other candidates running. However, because I did stumble on the page and did see my name there, I made the decision that if it's going to be there, then it might as well be factually accurate with a photograph. If I find a photo of the other candidates that is not copyrighted, I would gladly give the other candidates the same treatment given to me. I believe in fairness ladies and gentlemen. Now, I have complied with the Original Block that my username not represent a group, this has been fixed in my request for username change. If you require anything else from me, instead of declining the request for username change, discuss with me what I need to do to bring the account within standards. I remain your faithful and obedient servant,

CorcoranForGovernor (talk) 07:04, 28 October 2021 (UTC)

Decline reason:

It still seems that you are only interested in editing about yourself and/or your campaign. If that's not the case, please describe the other topics you might edit about. I think that it is possible for you to be unblocked if you agree to make edit requests henceforth about yourself and are interested in contributing to Wikipedia more broadly, but I'm not seeing these things with this request, so I am declining it. 331dot (talk) 07:33, 28 October 2021 (UTC)

This user's request to be unblocked to request a change in username has been reviewed by an administrator, who accepted the request.

BrandonMillhollandCorcoran (block log • active blocks • global blocks • autoblocks • contribs • deleted contribs • filter log • creation log • change block settings • unblock • checkuser (log))

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Requested username:

BrandonMillhollandCorcoran (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)

Request reason:

Thank you for the clarification, let me clear that up then. While I have made substantial edits to the page, I can agree to make edit requests here on out. I ask that a 2nd chance template be given in regards to my account so I have the opportunity to show that I am a man of my word. Making edit requests is not a problem for me, and had I been better versed I could have avoided all of this. I take full responsibility. Yes, I can see why this would have created a problem and I will take active steps to avoid that type of behavior. I will of course make edits to other pages here. While I am a candidate I am also a lover of history. I do plan to substantially contribute to other pages. Currently I see no reason for me to edit anything further on the Gubernatorial Race. As one undoubtedly understands, there are a variety of topics that may pique one's interest. Titanic, The Constitution, Supreme Court Cases, and The Victorian Era in America are all topics , among others, that I have thoroughly studied and enjoy researching. I can commit to making no further edits in regards to myself and instead request edits. I can further commit to editing other pages other than just the gubernatorial race and had every intention on doing so. Therefore, I humbly request the restrictions be removed and, if it be the will of the administrators, to place a second chance sanction on my account. I remain, ladies and gentleman, your faithful and obedient servant CorcoranForGovernor (talk) 07:49, 28 October 2021 (UTC)

Accept reason:

renamed and per agreement to avoid conflict of interest edits. --Deepfriedokra (talk) 21:02, 30 October 2021 (UTC)

Statement to Reviewing Administrator

Words of Thanks

To the administrator that reviews the block

First, let me thank you for the job that you do, after looking through the block list I get the feeling that none of you get thanked for the job you do. Look, my block is relatively simple. I screwed up, pure and simple as that; I ain't gonna waste your time by falsely claiming innocence, there are bigger fish to fry than me.

Acknowledgement of Wrongdoing

So, let me state what I need to, maybe it will help and maybe it won't. As a political candidate, this block has far reaching consequences outside of this medium. I want to reiterate that if my only intention was to promote myself, I wouldn't have created the account; it wastes the time of volunteer users like yourself. The problem is that I am both candidate and campaign manager. Normally, it would be customary for the campaign manager to have taken care of all of this. I have pages on Facebook, twitter, and my own website with which to promote myself and don't view Wikipedia content as promotional, rather, as informative. There are talks between my running mate and I whether we should branch out to promote the campaign on Instagram, twitch, and TikTok (not too sure about expanding to that last one). Point being, I used this medium as it was intended; to inform. I understand that my actions were quite questionable and, whether I was acting in good faith or not, went against the rules. I don't plan on repeating the action that got me blocked and I do plan to contribute to other pages as well. I think we can both agree that there are other people that need to be blocked to stop irreparable harm to pages; I know this because some of the users on the list are users who didn't make mistakes, they did what they did and are only mad because they got caught. I'm a politician, I recognize that kind of behavior easily, it comes with the territory. Again, I understand the conduct that got the account blocked, and it will not be repeated; you have my word on that (the penalty for not keeping my word is worse than any sanction or restriction that can be placed on this account because it has real world effects).

Real World Consequences and request towards Administrators

The far reaching consequences is that this block could be used by my political opponents to attack me. I would personally like to see a modicum of sensitivity and caution exercised when an account block is being considered against public persons. It is easier to discuss with the user directly their conduct. I, for one, would have welcomed an email discussing the conduct that warranted a block because I would have replied immediately by taking the steps required to prevent a block. While I understand that nobody should be given preferential treatment, there is also a point where, out of respect for their public status, blocking should be the last option considered. discuss first, sanction next, block as last resort. I understand rules, if elected, I am going to have to swear to uphold a bunch of them.

issues surrounding the reason for the block

I thought I was acting in good faith and that as long as I disclosed a conflict of interest, that I was okay and was in compliance. That misunderstanding falls directly on me for not investigating the rules further and therefore I take full responsibility. There does need to be an emendation of WP:AUTOBIO to reflect the explicit prohibition, not strong discouragement, towards someone making edits to their own page. Due to the lack of explicit prohibition, the page could be seen as misinformation because one can be blocked for engaging in the behavior enclosed in the article. If this is not the case, then there needs to be greater education amongst the administrators that block users. I surmise I would be in bigger trouble if I hadn't disclosed my COI. Thank you for what you do and continue to do for this platform

I remain, Esteemed Administrator, a faithful and obedient public servant,

CorcoranForGovernor (talk) 16:14, 28 October 2021 (UTC)

Renaming

 Renamer note: Your current request is to be renamed to the name of (what looks like) a well known person. Are you claiming to be he? Are you a staff member or someone editing on his behalf/his campaign's behalf, directly or indirectly? If you claim to be he, you will need to contact the WMF and confirm your identity. "If you choose to use the well-known person username, please send an email to info-enwikimedia.org including your real name and your Wikipedia username to receive instructions from our volunteer response team about account verification. Please do not send documentation without being requested to do so. Please do not post personally identifying information on Wikipedia." If not, please change the requested username in the unblock request you have open now. Thanks --Deepfriedokra (talk) 12:08, 30 October 2021 (UTC)

Not a well known person at all. I wouldn't worry about this. --jpgordon^{𝄢𝄆𝄐𝄇} 15:08, 30 October 2021 (UTC)

Jpgordon, I respectfully submit, esteemed administrator, that I am only not well known currently. I have notoriety in my hometown and have numerous articles that I could list that could prove that. My Mom spoke in front of the Senate HELP Committee in the aftermath of 9/11 . My grandparents owned and operated a well known small business that sold equipment to people like Bob Lurzima, and Matt Blair. They also provided equipment to Fort Snelling National Cemetery and both the old met stadium and the metrodome. I have newspaper articles that were written in my hometown in regards to myself . If I win the election, I will be well known so while this does not apply at the current moment, it may apply sometime in the near future.

Deepfriedokra, I thank you for including the process that you did. I will keep that in a file for future use if needed. Currently, as Jpgordon pointed out, I am not well known currently but that could change. I have been running my campaign since September 19th when I announced my candidacy privately on Facebook. I am not only the candidate, but currently I am the campaign manager. Once I start to hire staff, then I will insure that WMF is aware of that, but until that time, you have me. My main concern currently is the restrictions placed on my account. I have given my word that the behavior that got me into this situation in the first place will not be repeated again. I will suggest edits when a conflict of interest occurs instead of editing personally, and have given my word that I will contribute to topics on here that are within my interest; The Victorian Era is something I have studied extensively. I have committed myself to thoroughly responding so as to ensure that nobody feels their voice has gone unheard; these responses are part of that commitment. If either of you have any tips or concerns with my responses, I ask that you voice them. "I can't fix a problem if I'm not made aware that there is one" is a phrase I use a lot. My second biggest commitment is to ensure that I speak clearly but politely. The last thing I need as a political candidate is to not be communicating effectively. I may be rather formal but it is the nature of the beast that has done that. In all regards, I thank you both for the opportunity to respond.

I remain, esteemed administrators, a faithful and obedient public servant,

CorcoranForGovernor (talk) 20:40, 30 October 2021 (UTC)

globally renamed CorcoranForGovernor to BrandonMillhollandCorcoran

globally renamed CorcoranForGovernor to BrandonMillhollandCorcoran --Deepfriedokra (talk) 21:00, 30 October 2021 (UTC)