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<big><b>Dishonesty in Featured Article Selection</b></big>
'''The FA Process'''
I have not regarded statements on personal pages about negative Wiki experiences as compelling. So I have reservations about making one, now.
Randomly, I was shown an article in MWT, an anti-vandalism tool. I reverted the vandalism, and in doing so, noted other article problems.
When I sought to address these issues, I was suddenly confronted by an abusive personal attack, followed by other threats.
What is particularly unsavory is threats without editors explaining their authority. This ugly form of threats without evidence of authority is characteristic of lawless, repressive regimes.
I can well understand now how long time editors have quit Wikipedia in disgust.
The fact that some arbitrary small group of editors can elevate an article to Featured status within a few days, then block review of their decision for months demonstrates that the FA process is corrupt. Other decisions that I am aware of may be challenged at any time.
That Wikipedia advertises articles nominated by the corrupt FA process means that good, but second rate material is promoted as excellent. No professional publishing house or reputable academic press is fooled: Wikipedia is firmly in the hands of amateurs.
Professionally, a writer's work is evaluated by independent editors. Editing removes unnoticed mistakes. It removes poorly written and biased material.
Often Featured Articles in Wikipedia are evaluated and passed by the same people who wrote them. Sometimes by their friends. The evaluation process can happen in a few days, before there's much chance other editors have had time to notice or respond.
This substantially reduces an article's potential quality.
Contrary to Wikipedia's general editing policies, Featured Articles are automatically protected for several months from reevaluation. That is, once an writer and their friends railroad their self-awarded honor, there's easy no way to challenge it.
Better articles remain unsung.
Utterly un-Wiki and utterly dishonest.
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