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 == Enviroknot, et al. == 

 Given that Wikipedia policy is to place the sock-puppet template when there's firm evidence for it (such as matching IP addresses), wouldn't it be better to protect the page with the template in place?  When it's a matter of differences over content in articles, etc., then I agree that protection should in general be neutral between the sides (though even then, it would be odd to protect an article in a vandalised state).  Here, though, it's a matter of policy that the template be placed there.  Would you object strongly if I (or another admin, perhaps you) edited the protected page in order to replace the template?    "