Casliber mentioned the tired argument that the old Arbs (the ones that tend to be the most troublesome and incivil, if you bother to read the leaks) have to be kept to provide the committee with "historical" knowledge.

That is one of the most ridiculous claims ever, and it is used all the time.

Anyone who is elected to ArbCom is elected because they are not strangers. They have been around. If we buy into the argument, we promote a club situation where people who are removed from the community's actual concerns have the power. Thus, we have the same crap we've had.

The system is a failure because the same people have sway. Instead, the people with the best ethics should be voted in. The committee clearly does not represent the best editors and never will. The system is easily gamed, and, from the leaks, most Arbitrators abuse every power they have to destroy enemies. The leaks show countless violations, and it is astounding that Casliber could make such an argument to keep those people around.