# asahi's warning **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [February 4, 2019, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asahis-warning/828954 "2019-02-04T17:05:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asahis-warning/828954/1 "2019-02-04T17:05:09Z")
> [@Virginia gov. yearbook page has Klan and blackface pictures](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gov-yearbook-page-has-klan-and-blackface-pictures/828809/254): > > Northam isn’t resigning because he doesn’t feel the need to resign. After all, it was “a joke” among (white) friends, and besides, look what he’s done for the Negro in the time since. Would you rather have had Gillespie as governor? Northam “protected” the Negro from the Republican party’s racism; therefore, people should be grateful. > [@Virginia gov. yearbook page has Klan and blackface pictures](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gov-yearbook-page-has-klan-and-blackface-pictures/828809/287): > > Hate speech or trolling…it took me a a few moments to decide. This is a warning for trolling. If this is what you have left to offer, your stay will be short. > > [/moderating] I can’t agree with this warning. We’re _all_ asking why Northam hasn’t resigned, and asahi is clearly parodying Northam justifying why he should stay on as governor - as an old white man who grew up in an era of ingrained racism and who hasn’t really changed. It was pitted, and I laid into asahi in the Pit thread too, since I don’t think it contributes much to the level of discourse to put deprecated words into the mouths of people who haven’t actually used them. But it’s a rhetorical technique, and “negro” is hardly so taboo that it can’t be used in a parody of outdated racist values. The fact that you considered a warning for hate speech for an obvious parody tells me you’re off base on this. He’s guilty of using a rhetorical technique that imo lowers the level of debate, but that’s not a rules violation. And I think it’s a real stretch to call it trolling. There’s an overall context of asahi’s erratic behavior (exacerbated by alcohol), but I don’t even think this even an instance of this. I do think he’s sincere, and that he’s making a valid point here. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asahis-warning/828954/2 "2019-02-04T18:33:30Z")
I agree. I don’t see that the post in question constitutes either hate speech or trolling. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asahis-warning/828954/3 "2019-02-04T18:37:57Z")
I agree. ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asahis-warning/828954/4 "2019-02-04T18:42:20Z")
The warning is misguided and frankly silly. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asahis-warning/828954/5 "2019-02-04T18:51:05Z")
Are these remarks still true if one is not familiar with Asahi’s patterns of posting? I am not particularly familiar with him, and the first time I read this post (admittedly out of context, in the Pit thread) it seemed repellent. I’m not saying yea or nay on the warning, I’m just asking this question: how much should a post be considered on its own, and how much does the poster’s history have to be considered in matters like this? ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asahis-warning/828954/6 "2019-02-04T19:02:23Z")
yeah only complaint id have its a tad condescending ……… ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asahis-warning/828954/7 "2019-02-04T19:07:42Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > I’m not saying yea or nay on the warning, I’m just asking this question: how much should a post be considered on its own, and how much does the poster’s history have to be considered in matters like this? History might elevate a Note to Warning if this _were_ a trollish comment. But I don’t see how this is a trollish comment at all. I wouldn’t personally have chosen to make a rhetorical point quite this way, but I think it’s sincere and it makes a perfectly valid point about the possible mindset of an old white man in Virginia. This wasn’t an out-of-the-blue inflammatory accusation that all white people are irredeemable racists, it’s specifically about Northam in a context where _everyone_ is debating why the hell this guy hasn’t resigned yet. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asahis-warning/828954/8 "2019-02-04T19:43:38Z")
I dunno, ever since his friend (?\* ) was banned he has been off the rails. Witness his recent stinky threadshit in the Cafe Soc thread about Super bowl ads. That was a very weird paragraph. Maybe a suspension until he cools off? - I actually thought he was a sock for huey, but I guess I am wrong. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asahis-warning/828954/9 "2019-02-04T19:51:05Z")
The OP is well stated. I agree too. ---
**Author:** ![pool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pool/32/4152_2.png) [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asahis-warning/828954/10 "2019-02-04T19:52:49Z")
I’m not a super fan of the poster but yeah I think this warning was unjustified. ---
**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:** [February 4, 2019, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asahis-warning/828954/11 "2019-02-04T19:54:56Z")
I think it’s a great warning. > [@Riemann](#): > > I don’t think it contributes much to the level of discourse to put deprecated words into the mouths of people who haven’t actually used them. That’s all the reason needed. When people are posting shit that hurts the level of discourse, nip it in the bud. There’s zero reason to tolerate stuff that makes the board worse. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asahis-warning/828954/12 "2019-02-04T20:02:51Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > This wasn’t an out-of-the-blue inflammatory accusation that all white people are irredeemable racists That’s been his default setting ever since he started defending Huey. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asahis-warning/828954/13 "2019-02-04T20:09:42Z")
> [@aldiboronti](#): > > The warning is misguided and frankly silly. Pretty much. ---
**Author:** ![Covfefe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ee7513/32.png) [@Covfefe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covfefe)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asahis-warning/828954/14 "2019-02-04T20:29:41Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > I dunno, ever since his friend (?\* ) was banned he has been off the rails. Witness his recent stinky threadshit in the Cafe Soc thread about Super bowl ads. That was a very weird paragraph. > > Maybe a suspension until he cools off? > > - I actually thought he was a sock for huey, but I guess I am wrong. He already had a suspension for a few days right on the heels of Huey being banned. ---
**Author:** ![DinoR](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dinor/32/2821_2.png) [@DinoR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DinoR)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asahis-warning/828954/15 "2019-02-04T20:37:38Z")
I’m not seeing a warning. I see an attempt at edgy parody…that failed. I am unsurprised it sparked a Pit thread. That thread is a reasonable community response to self-police IMO. I do support a Mod note with some guidance that still nips it in the bud. Violating that guidance by continuing would be a pretty clear warnable offense. In the context it was written, though, I don’t see a warning for either trolling or hate speech. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asahis-warning/828954/16 "2019-02-04T20:55:57Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > I think it’s a great warning. > > That’s all the reason needed. When people are posting shit that hurts the level of discourse, nip it in the bud. There’s zero reason to tolerate stuff that makes the board worse. Yeah, but “shit that hurts the level of discourse” is a pretty low bar for a warning. I can think of some posters who’d get a warning for every post if that was the standard. Gotta admit the warning surprised me: if I’d thought it was a candidate for mod action, I’d have clicked the little red triangle, rather than starting a Pit thread. And after reading **Riemann** ’s OP here, I’ve gotta agree. It wasn’t trolling, and I’m having a hard time seeing it as hate speech, either. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asahis-warning/828954/17 "2019-02-04T21:50:55Z")
I read the post as “dripping with sarcasm.” Not particularly effective, but not trolling, either. ---
**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:** [February 4, 2019, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asahis-warning/828954/18 "2019-02-04T21:57:45Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > Yeah, but “shit that hurts the level of discourse” is a pretty low bar for a warning. I can think of some posters who’d get a warning for every post if that was the standard. …wait for it… ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asahis-warning/828954/19 "2019-02-04T21:58:36Z")
I’m sure asahi thought he was being cute, but simply couching that type of language as if coming from an off board person isn’t a shield for those types of remarks. For example, if a poster were to write, “Trump thinks [all sorts of hate speech]” I don’t think that would be okay. Shifting discussion into the third person as if from someone else doesn’t immunize the poster from the consequences of whatever they are spewing. “X hates [racial epithet]” “Y hates [racial epithet]” Rinse and repeat and there is a recipe to use hate speech. I don’t want to countenance that type of racism. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asahis-warning/828954/20 "2019-02-04T22:06:18Z")
> [@Bone](#): > > I’m sure asahi thought he was being cute, but simply couching that type of language as if coming from an off board person isn’t a shield for those types of remarks… > > Rinse and repeat and there is a recipe to use hate speech. I don’t want to countenance that type of racism. Are you are now saying that the warning was for hate speech, and that you think the use of “negro” even in a sarcastic parody of a public figure’s views constitutes hate speech? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asahis-warning/828954.md?page=2)