From my observations: The wording of many articles seems to be the result of a carefully applied 'truce' between long-standing edit warriors. Once applied, the

From my observations: The wording of many articles seems to be the result of a carefully applied 'truce' between long-standing edit warriors. Once applied, they tend to unite using terms like 'stable' or 'consensus'. These editors do effectively have "seniority" on that article and the ability to reject changes. Then a random newcomer bumbles in and unwittingly disturbs the balance, and everyone unites against him. This is what I suspect happened to the author of the piece more so than goofing his citations.