# A Couple Of (Innocent) SDMB Questions

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176>\
**Category:** About This Message Board\
**Created:** [January 24, 2013, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176 "2013-01-24T02:50:02Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 4

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**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\
**Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/61 "2013-01-24T22:09:15Z")

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> [@TubaDiva](#):
>
> I see neither chocolate nor scotch, so obviously this is not a serious discussion.
> 
> 😃

Look, I’ll give you guys all the chocolate you want, but you’re crazy if you think I’m giving away scotch.

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**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\
**Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/62 "2013-01-24T22:16:24Z")

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I mean that the general premise that disagreeing–and primarily disagreeing–is trollish. You mentioned crazy, so I thought to point out that we’ve had plenty of ostensibly certifiable posters here who have left on their own, still walk among us, or were banned for violations–not merely for having Chiropteras in their belfries.

So disagreeing ≠ trolling; crazy ≠ trolling; trolling = trolling.

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**Author:** ![EmilyG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emilyg/32/364_2.png) [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\
**Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/63 "2013-01-24T22:30:58Z")

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> [@MeanOldLady](#):
>
> Oh snap, banned. Good, I wanted that to happen. I also have some other requests for banning. Who should I PM them to?

Are you planning for a banning? 🙂

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**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\
**Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/64 "2013-01-24T22:37:56Z")

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> [@gracer](#):
>
> I actually don’t know the reason for the banning, if that’s what you’re talking about. I just liked the posters crazy posts. 😃 I dunno if he was actually teh evil. Was he?

Basically we decided she was in fact trolling and warnings weren’t going to get her to stop. In just a few weeks here, she got involved in almost every possible controversial issue, and didn’t merely disagree but disagreed in a particularly obnoxious fashion. She’s been under discussion since almost the day she arrived.

The fact that she took the position that her problems here were due only to the fact that she disagreed, and failed to acknowledge that her jerkishness had anything to do with it, merely served to convince us further that she was a troll.

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**Author:** ![gracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8e7dd6/32.png) [@gracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gracer)\
**Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/65 "2013-01-24T22:53:18Z")

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> [@Colibri](#):
>
> Basically we decided she was in fact trolling and warnings weren’t going to get her to stop. In just a few weeks here, she got involved in almost every possible controversial issue, and didn’t merely disagree but disagreed in a particularly obnoxious fashion. She’s been under discussion since almost the day she arrived.
> 
> The fact that she took the position that her problems here were due only to the fact that she disagreed, and failed to acknowledge that her jerkishness had anything to do with it, merely served to convince us further that she was a troll.

Oh. That’s a little disappointing. No fireworks. Not even a little tiny fake wheelchair, or fake dead family?

Ah well. Guess there’s always more where that came from 😉

Thanks for the clarification **Rhythmdvl**. I do agree, trolling = trolling!

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**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\
**Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/66 "2013-01-24T23:26:50Z")

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> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#):
>
> I require chocolate and/or cash, though.

Do you take chocolate cash?

> **[Amazon.com: Pirate Treasure Chest Full of Gold (Chocolate Coins)! : Grocery...](https://www.amazon.com/Pirate-Treasure-Chest-Chocolate-Coins/dp/B000MWTRU0)**
>
> Amazon.com: Pirate Treasure Chest Full of Gold (Chocolate Coins)! : Grocery & Gourmet Food

> [@Loach](#):
>
> To answer Quasi’s original questions:
> 
> 1. There are only a few posters that have built up a bad reputation in my head. The vast majority I can have a heated discussion with on one subject but have a nice conversation on another. Only a couple do I try not to engage. I ignore no one.

Yeah, same here. I’ll be cursing out someone in my head and then 30 minutes later end up in a different thread politely chatting with them.

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**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\
**Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/67 "2013-01-24T23:36:44Z")

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> [@Colibri](#):
>
> Basically we decided she was in fact trolling and warnings weren’t going to get her to stop.

How does it come to pass that our more intelligent Moderators will explain why someone was banned and others jump down my throat for violating the rules by asking?

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**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\
**Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/68 "2013-01-25T00:40:04Z")

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> [@carnivorousplant](#):
>
> How does it come to pass that our more intelligent Moderators will explain why someone was banned and others jump down my throat for violating the rules by asking?

You’re comparing two unlike situations: if someone is banned with no explanation, we ask that posters PM us instead of starting a thread. **Sevencl** wasn’t banned without an explanation. She appeared to be trolling in this thread, and that was the last straw. So there’s no proscription against asking about it or discussing it.

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**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\
**Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/69 "2013-01-25T01:01:41Z")

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> [@Marley23](#):
>
> You’re comparing two unlike situations: if someone is banned with no explanation, we ask that posters PM us instead of starting a thread. **Sevencl** wasn’t banned without an explanation. She appeared to be trolling in this thread, and that was the last straw. So there’s no proscription against asking about it or discussing it.

Thank you, but I feel like I’m talking to the government.

🙂

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**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\
**Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/70 "2013-01-25T01:07:09Z")

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> [@carnivorousplant](#):
>
> How does it come to pass that our more intelligent Moderators will explain why someone was banned and others jump down my throat for violating the rules by asking?

As **Marley** says, we ask you not to start _new_ threads asking why people are banned (when there has been no announcement). Given that the person in question was banned due in part to her posts in this thread, it’s reasonable to explain the reason here.

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**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\
**Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/71 "2013-01-25T01:24:53Z")

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> [@Colibri](#):
>
> As **Marley** says, we ask you not to start _new_ threads asking why people are banned (when there has been no announcement). Given that the person in question was banned due in part to her posts in this thread, it’s reasonable to explain the reason here.

Ah, thank you.

Have you ever considered employment with USAC?  
🙂

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**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\
**Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/72 "2013-01-25T01:30:52Z")

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> [@carnivorousplant](#):
>
> Ah, thank you.
> 
> Have you ever considered employment with USAC?  
> 🙂

Universal Service Administrative Company?  
United States Auto Club?  
USA Cycling?  
University Studies Abroad Curriculum?

😕

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**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\
**Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/73 "2013-01-25T01:46:22Z")

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Unusual Scrotum Adjustment Commission

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\
**Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/74 "2013-01-25T02:57:52Z")

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> [@Rhythmdvl](#):
>
> Unusual Scrotum Adjustment Commission

[I wish.](http://www.usac.org/sl/)

There was a tax on telephone service to extend phone service to rural areas.  
As happens with temporary taxes and Moderat…er, the thing the tax was made to do was completed. As governments and mods are…is prone to do, someone exclaimed, “Oh my goodness! We must stop levying the tax, as we promised to do! Is there nothing we can do to spend it on?”  
So now that tax you continue to pay on your telephone bill pays for internet service (a very vague term, according to USAC, including things to help you connect to the web) pays for internet connections for schools and libraries.  
Which is a good thing, I guess, unless you don’t have a lot of money and want to quit paying a temporary tax levied in the 1930s.  
They will demand to know things such as, “How many people in your facility have a name that begins with A?”  
One quite naturally responds, “I am terribly sorry, but I do not understand. Do you wish to know if their first, last, or both names begin with A?”  
Moder…er, USAC will respond, “We wish to know How many people in your facility have a name that begins with A! If you do not answer correctly, we will send you to Guantanamo!”  
I get paid for dealing with these mod…er, people.  
Not enough.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\
**Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/75 "2013-01-25T03:34:15Z")

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Sorry I asked. 😉

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**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\
**Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/76 "2013-01-25T03:49:51Z")

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> [@Colibri](#):
>
> Sorry I asked. 😉

That’s ok.  
Just think of me and My Ordeal when you pay your phone bill.  
🙂

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**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\
**Post date:** [January 26, 2013, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/77 "2013-01-26T00:55:24Z")

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Yes, the term “troll” is used quite a lot here, and I was thinking that it was applied unfairly to some new Dopers, hence the question.

The other question is a bit more personal. I guess I am more “thin-skinned” than most of you, and although most of my posts have been non-argumentative (yes, I know there were exceptions) some of them did draw the ire of some of you I had considered friends. Some words were written on both sides of the fence that were very harsh, and thinking back on them, no matter how passionate I was about the theme, I should not have written some of the things I did. So I was wondering if any of you no longer correspond with anyone you have had a “knock-down, drag-out” with and how do you keep up with that; the ignore button?

Thanks

Q

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\
**Post date:** [January 26, 2013, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/78 "2013-01-26T01:03:34Z")

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I usually unsubscribe when things get nasty in a thread.  
I bitched at whats-his-name once.  
🙂

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**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\
**Post date:** [January 27, 2013, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/79 "2013-01-27T03:17:24Z")

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Yeah, that sounds like a good idea (unsubbing).

Sad, isn’t it, when you can’t defend your position because friends message you and tell you it’s a lost cause because of who you’re dealing with?

Q

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**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\
**Post date:** [January 27, 2013, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/80 "2013-01-27T03:18:26Z")

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nm, double post

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