# And another questionable non-call - **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [January 20, 2015, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-another-questionable-non-call/710333 "2015-01-20T00:43:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**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:** [January 20, 2015, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-another-questionable-non-call/710333/21 "2015-01-20T15:34:09Z")
Here’s the difference, as I see it. In the first thread, the OP made some warnable insults. Ibn Warraq’s response of tu quoque thus by implication contained the same insults. I say his warning was justified. In the second thread, FI’s post was NOT warnable, so Bricker’s tu quoque isn’t an insult either. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2015, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-another-questionable-non-call/710333/22 "2015-01-20T15:46:37Z")
> [@simster](#): > > snark is good - > > @Loach - the only thing I redacted was the usernames - as the actual usernames (and the topic itself) are largely irrelevant to the exchange that happened. > > The second poster is clearly talking about the poster, and in all worlds I am familar with, stating that one has ‘lost grip of reality’ is an insult. In my opinion the second poster did not say that. You are inferring it. The rule is that you can’t attack the poster outside of the Pit. There is nothing saying you have to ignore who the poster is. I don’t post in GD much but I don’t think there is a rule about bringing up someone’s other posts. Tom got the report and he explained it better than I can. I’ll refer you back to post #10 and leave it at that. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2015, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-another-questionable-non-call/710333/23 "2015-01-20T15:53:15Z")
You’re able to say “Republicans don’t have a grip on reality”, even though some posters here are Republicans. You’re insulting a (much) larger group that happens to contain some poster here. You would NOT be able to say “Republican posters here don’t have a grip on reality”. The insult noted in the OP is towards the larger group (the pro-gun faction), not specific posters here. And by noting that it’s a “demographic”, the poster clearly indicated that it’s the larger group, not the posters. That’s how I understand the rule anyway. If anything, it’s the reply that might get moderator action as making things too personal. ---
**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 20, 2015, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-another-questionable-non-call/710333/24 "2015-01-20T16:10:39Z")
> [@simster](#): > > Look - all I want is a little reasonableness and consistency in the modding. It’s rather ironic, then, that your arguments that one post absolutely should not have been modded, while the other unquestionably should have been, are seen to be inconsistent by many other posters. You really can’t have it both ways. It’s harder than it looks (to those who don’t have to do it). 😉 ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2015, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-another-questionable-non-call/710333/25 "2015-01-20T16:12:10Z")
I’ve been plenty critical of some moderator decisions on this message board, but i don’t see an actionable insult in any of the material quoted in the OP. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2015, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-another-questionable-non-call/710333/26 "2015-01-20T16:14:07Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > If anything, it’s the reply that might get moderator action as making things too personal. WHich is what I am reffering to. In any event - I’m dropping this. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2015, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-another-questionable-non-call/710333/27 "2015-01-20T16:16:08Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > It’s rather ironic, then, that your arguments that one post absolutely should not have been modded, while the other unquestionably should have been, are seen to be inconsistent by many other posters. You really can’t have it both ways. > > It’s harder than it looks (to those who don’t have to do it). 😉 I’m either not being clear or simply see it differently. I’m dropping it. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2015, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-another-questionable-non-call/710333/28 "2015-01-20T16:29:55Z")
Whoever made this thread has too much time on their hands. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2015, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-another-questionable-non-call/710333/29 "2015-01-20T16:29:58Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > It’s rather ironic, then, that your arguments that one post absolutely should not have been modded, while the other unquestionably should have been, are seen to be inconsistent by many other posters. You really can’t have it both ways. Neither can you. If you’re going to appeal to the wisdom of crowds when they support your position, maybe you moderators should pay a little more heed when the same crowd disagrees with you. ---
**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 20, 2015, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-another-questionable-non-call/710333/30 "2015-01-20T16:32:38Z")
> [@simster](#): > > I’m either not being clear or simply see it differently. I hope that this at least demonstrates to you that it is possible to come to different interpretations based on the same information. Moderation is not, and cannot be, as cut-and-dried as you and some others imagine it might be. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2015, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-another-questionable-non-call/710333/31 "2015-01-20T16:34:12Z")
I can see a mod note for: “Says the guy who calls the cops every time he sees a non-uniformed person carrying a gun.” Something along the lines of: _dial it back, and let’s not make this discussion personal._ Especially in the context of responding to a poster who talks about one side of the argument as not having a firm grip on reality. And now that **Ibn Warraq’s** warning has been reduced to a mod note, that would make things consistent. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2015, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-another-questionable-non-call/710333/32 "2015-01-20T16:45:27Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > Whoever made this thread has too much time on their hands. says the person who replied only to make that comment that adds nothing to the discussion. ---
**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 20, 2015, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-another-questionable-non-call/710333/33 "2015-01-20T16:52:38Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > If you’re going to appeal to the wisdom of crowds when they support your position, maybe you moderators should pay a little more heed when the same crowd disagrees with you. You seem to have missed my point (especially since I just reversed a call in part due to feedback from posters). My point is that in many cases interpretations of the same posts by different people, whether mods or posters, will differ, so that some people will always perceive inconsistency in the results. While we don’t moderate according to popular vote, saying that we don’t pay any attention to criticism doesn’t reflect the facts either. I have reversed a number of warnings before this one in response to feedback, as have many other mods. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2015, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-another-questionable-non-call/710333/34 "2015-01-20T16:52:48Z")
> [@simster](#): > > says the person who replied only to make that comment that adds nothing to the discussion. Nothing personal, I was just trying out the non-insult insult concept. Not sure if I got it right. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2015, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-another-questionable-non-call/710333/35 "2015-01-20T16:54:52Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > Nothing personal, I was just trying out the non-insult insult concept. Not sure if I got it right. as was I 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2015, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-another-questionable-non-call/710333/36 "2015-01-20T16:58:56Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > I have reversed a number of warnings before this one in response to feedback, as have many other mods. Not me. I have a perfect record! Maybe I should quit while I’m ahead. ---
**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 20, 2015, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-another-questionable-non-call/710333/37 "2015-01-20T17:24:34Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Not me. I have a perfect record! > > Maybe I should quit while I’m ahead. Hey, you’ll be called out for _not_ issuing warnings as well, so you might as well put that truncheon to good use! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2015, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-another-questionable-non-call/710333/38 "2015-01-20T17:33:06Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > That is not what was said in the post you quoted. Maybe it was indirectly implied. Your argument needs a lot of if/then statements to make that connection. If you want all implied snarkiness to be moderated I think you will be in the minority. I don’t see a lot of calls for more heavy handed moderation. > > Since I am not a GD mod as I said I am talking generally about the board not GD specifically. And not about a thread that I haven’t read since it was redacted. Tom already commented on the specific post since he was involved and knows which thread you are talking about. I can only comment on the one post out of context that you quoted. I’m not seeing anything that needs to be moderated. > [@simster](#): > > But atleast that still refers specifically to the POST - so its atleast veiled. > > “says the person who…” is reffering to the person. > > snark is good - > > @Loach - the only thing I redacted was the usernames - as the actual usernames (and the topic itself) are largely irrelevant to the exchange that happened. > > The second poster is clearly talking about the poster, and in all worlds I am familar with, stating that one has ‘lost grip of reality’ is an insult. Even though **simster** redacted the usernames, the quotes still link to the original thread. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2015, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-another-questionable-non-call/710333/39 "2015-01-20T18:09:09Z")
> [@kopek](#): > > I remember that group of threads. But didn’t he actually claim to call the police if/any time he sees a civilian carrying a gun? How can he be insulted by his own behavior? Yep. He cant be. I see nothing wrong with that post. In some threads, it could be worthy of a Note, depending on how much off track it had gotten. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2015, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-another-questionable-non-call/710333/40 "2015-01-20T18:46:45Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Hey, you’ll be called out for _not_ issuing warnings as well, so you might as well put that truncheon to good use! 😉 He got a truncheon? All I got was a squid. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-another-questionable-non-call/710333.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-another-questionable-non-call/710333.md?page=3)