# About the Randi Restriction in Geller threads **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [March 10, 2013, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-randi-restriction-in-geller-threads/652533 "2013-03-10T05:04:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-randi-restriction-in-geller-threads/652533/121 "2013-03-12T01:28:16Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > See, unequal treatment right there. Like I said, I handled one issue I felt comfortable handling and left another to the MPSIMS mods. I also gave you a reminder about the Randi thing instead of warning you on the spot for violating the rule because you had clearly violated those instructions. Some people might have the sense to see that as a courtesy. I guess that was a mistake because it’s just a few months later and you broke the rule _again_ in GQ. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-randi-restriction-in-geller-threads/652533/122 "2013-03-12T01:29:11Z")
> [@AClockworkMelon](#): > > That thread isn’t in MPSIMS, it’s in Great Debates. It was moved to GD a few days after the posts **Peter Morris** is talking about. **twickster** moves it in post #103. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-randi-restriction-in-geller-threads/652533/123 "2013-03-12T01:32:20Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > See, unequal treatment right there. Even if so–if Marley addressed inappropriate behavior by you, and not inappropriate behavior by someone else– **NOBODY CARES**. This isn’t the kindergarten playground, where you have a right to demand that the teacher punish both children publicly and equally (and for the record, you didn’t have the right back then, either, and I wish your kindergarten teacher had taught you that). If you don’t want to get modded, if it makes you all weepy and sulky and blanky-clutchy, there’s a trick you can do. Don’t act like a jerk. Also don’t break the rules. It works like a charm, and your eyes stay dry! ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-randi-restriction-in-geller-threads/652533/124 "2013-03-12T01:38:07Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Even if so–if Marley addressed inappropriate behavior by you, and not inappropriate behavior by someone else– **NOBODY CARES**. There was no inappropriate behaviour by someone else. I will not let this drop. I have had it with this shit. I will not allow my name to be thrown around in this way and have others assume there is substance to it. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-randi-restriction-in-geller-threads/652533/125 "2013-03-12T01:48:53Z")
> [@Princhester](#): > > There was no inappropriate behaviour by someone else. I will not let this drop. I have had it with this shit. I will not allow my name to be thrown around in this way and have others assume there is substance to it. I don’t think anybody is going to make that assumption. Please take a breather here. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-randi-restriction-in-geller-threads/652533/126 "2013-03-12T01:48:55Z")
> [@Princhester](#): > > There was no inappropriate behaviour by someone else. I will not let this drop. I have had it with this shit. I will not allow my name to be thrown around in this way and have others assume there is substance to it. Meh. I read the thread, and I could see it going either way with your behavior: you get personal with him, and you go on about his behavior in previous threads. I believe I’ve seen the moderators taking action about such things before in other circumstances, but I’ve also seen them not; I think it’s borderline behavior. But it isn’t about you. It’s about Marley, and how even if you’d called **Peter** a crazy lying crybaby in the middle of a MPSIMS thread, Marley wouldn’t be obligated to handle it, nor would he be required to treat your hypothetical sin equally to Peter’s. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-randi-restriction-in-geller-threads/652533/127 "2013-03-12T01:55:12Z")
"Further, you need to read my posts for comprehension [and I’m sure you’ll begin doing so right after hell freezes over]. " I find this to be slightly insulting. And, as far as I understand it, even slight insults are forbidden. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-randi-restriction-in-geller-threads/652533/128 "2013-03-12T02:00:45Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > I find this to be slightly insulting. > > And, as far as I understand it, even slight insults are forbidden. You understand you’re not the one who makes the determination, right? Here is what happened after that: > [@Psychics fail scientific test.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychics-fail-scientific-test/639448/87): > > Report the posts to the MPSIMS mods if you want to get their attention, and please stop commenting about the moderation in this thread. [To **Mr. Miskatonic**] > [@Psychics fail scientific test.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychics-fail-scientific-test/639448/103): > > We have a rule against personal insults, which includes “you are a liar.” My understanding of the rule is that “you are lying” is considered synonymous. Don’t do this again. > > I have tossed a coin between closing this thread and moving it to GD – the latter won. The GD mods may choose to close it, of course. > > **twickster** , MPSIMS moderator > [@Psychics fail scientific test.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychics-fail-scientific-test/639448/107): > > I will let the readers decide whether **Peter Morris** or **Mr. Miskatonic** have had the better of their argument, thus far. > > That is because that discussion is now ended. > > Whatever the merits of this thread, (and I do not see any), rehashing old arguments with bitter words is not among them. > > Take it to The BBQ Pit or off board. > > [/Moderating] ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-randi-restriction-in-geller-threads/652533/129 "2013-03-12T02:01:46Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Meh. I read the thread, and I could see it going either way with your behavior: you get personal with him, and you go on about his behavior in previous threads. I believe I’ve seen the moderators taking action about such things before in other circumstances, but I’ve also seen them not; I think it’s borderline behavior. Did I or did I not insult PM in that thread? ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-randi-restriction-in-geller-threads/652533/130 "2013-03-12T02:16:01Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > [To **Mr. Miskatonic**] I’m talking about Princhester. ---
**Author:** ![wedgehed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8edcca/32.png) [@wedgehed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wedgehed)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-randi-restriction-in-geller-threads/652533/131 "2013-03-12T02:23:22Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > **Moderator Warning** > > **wedgehed** , we expect that discussion be kept civil in ATMB. This kind of post is out of place here. This is an official warning. Don’t do this again. > > Colibri > Moderator My apologies, I guess I shouldn’t drink wine & read the Dope at the same time. :o However…this whole thing blows my mind! You can’t moderate Peter Morris under the existing rules, so you make one up that applies only to him? And why, because he sounds like a broken record on a particular topic? That charge could be made against a great many posters here. It seems to me that Peter’s sin is that his target of ire is deemed a sacred cow on this board. If his rant was against the usual suspects, I doubt if you would bat an eye. I don’t even agree with him. It just seems unfair. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-randi-restriction-in-geller-threads/652533/132 "2013-03-12T02:33:17Z")
> [@Princhester](#): > > Did I or did I not insult PM in that thread? I just went over all of the posts between Peter and you and I’m not seeing anything that could reasonably be counted as an insult coming from you. In post 54 he quotes you and claims it borders on being a personal attack, but I’m not seeing it. However, in post 36 I believe Peter’s comments border on calling you a liar/troll. Not enough where I believe a mod note was in order, but certainly closer to being insulting than anything you said to him. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-randi-restriction-in-geller-threads/652533/133 "2013-03-12T02:37:27Z")
By the way, folks. Just to clarify the point. This is not a complaint against Princhester, nor Marley several months after the event. It’s gone past, let it lie. I posted it merely in response to Tom’s request. It is given simply to show that some of my complaints have gone unanswered. That’s all it is, nothing else. Are we clear? ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-randi-restriction-in-geller-threads/652533/134 "2013-03-12T02:43:53Z")
> [@Princhester](#): > > Did I or did I not insult PM in that thread? In my opinion? Yes. In the mod’s opinion? No. If you really want to turn this thread into a giant discussion of whether your words there count as an insult, go for it, but I’m afraid I can’t be clearer than saying it’s a borderline case in my opinion. ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-randi-restriction-in-geller-threads/652533/135 "2013-03-12T02:47:51Z")
> [@wedgehed](#): > > It seems to me that Peter’s sin is that his target of ire is deemed a sacred cow on this board. If his rant was against the usual suspects, I doubt if you would bat an eye. > ☹ Have you read the threads that led to the rule? ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-randi-restriction-in-geller-threads/652533/136 "2013-03-12T02:50:27Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > In my opinion? Yes. Please quote my insult. I will not let this drop. I will not let this drop because it is a common tactic of PM’s. He casually makes shit up about something that someone allegedly did and hopes the shit sticks. You are enabling him. ---
**Author:** ![wedgehed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8edcca/32.png) [@wedgehed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wedgehed)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-randi-restriction-in-geller-threads/652533/137 "2013-03-12T02:51:37Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > Have you read the threads that led to the rule? No I haven’t. Did he hijack or thread-shit? There are rules to handle that. Did he express an opinion that offended you? Welcome to the club. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Miskatonic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.miskatonic/32/310_2.png) [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-randi-restriction-in-geller-threads/652533/138 "2013-03-12T02:53:04Z")
> [@wedgehed](#): > > My apologies, I guess I shouldn’t drink wine & read the Dope at the same time. > > :o > > However…this whole thing blows my mind! You can’t moderate Peter Morris under the existing rules, so you make one up that applies only to him? And why, because he sounds like a broken record on a particular topic? That charge could be made against a great many posters here. It seems to me that Peter’s sin is that his target of ire is deemed a sacred cow on this board. If his rant was against the usual suspects, I doubt if you would bat an eye. > > I don’t even agree with him. It just seems unfair. > > ☹ Read the threads that resulted in this. There is a pit thread active right now with many links. This isn’t a case of protecting a ‘sacred cow’ . ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-randi-restriction-in-geller-threads/652533/139 "2013-03-12T02:55:10Z")
> [@wedgehed](#): > > It seems to me that Peter’s sin is that his target of ire is deemed a sacred cow on this board. > [@wedgehed](#): > > No I haven’t. So you have no clue what this is about but have decided to weigh in with a strong opinion anyway?. You need to read more. It has nothing to do with sacred cows and everything to do with posting style. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-randi-restriction-in-geller-threads/652533/140 "2013-03-12T02:56:15Z")
> [@Princhester](#): > > Please quote my insult. I will not let this drop. Well, whatever you do, don’t let it drop. :rolleyes: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-randi-restriction-in-geller-threads/652533.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-randi-restriction-in-geller-threads/652533.md?page=8)