# Bad precedent **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [April 9, 2010, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-precedent/535594 "2010-04-09T23:45:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Trepa\_Mayfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/edb3f5/32.png) [@Trepa\_Mayfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trepa_Mayfield)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2010, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-precedent/535594/81 "2010-04-11T20:49:04Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > How is it not? If someone addressed you like that, wouldn’t you feel like you were being attacked? Two things: first of all, Jeff never addressed Twickster. He addressed her apology, her weekend, and the fact that it took so long. And second, no, I wouldn’t feel offended. Because Twickster used the word “fucking” in her apology, I simply figured that the word “fucking” present in Jeff’s statement was a reference to that. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2010, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-precedent/535594/82 "2010-04-11T20:49:16Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > If anyone addressed another poster in GQ, IMHO, or other forums outside the Pit in the manner of **Sleeps With Butterflies** or **Jeff** did, they would be liable for a warning. ATMB is no different. Unless they were a moderator. I continue to apologize for using a dirty word several times in one paragraph. ---
**Author:** ![Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sleeps_With_Butterflies)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2010, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-precedent/535594/83 "2010-04-11T20:50:52Z")
> [@pedescribe](#): > > Two things: first of all, Jeff never addressed Twickster. He addressed her apology, her weekend, and the fact that it took so long. > > And second, no, I wouldn’t feel offended. Because Twickster used the word “fucking” in her apology, I simply figured that the word “fucking” present in Jeff’s statement was a reference to that. Oh that’s easy. She is allowed, he is not. There ya go! ---
**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:** [April 11, 2010, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-precedent/535594/84 "2010-04-11T20:52:17Z")
> [@pedescribe](#): > > Two things: first of all, Jeff never addressed Twickster. He addressed her apology, her weekend, and the fact that it took so long. Read the post. He addressed **twickster** personally. **Twickster** did not address any individual poster. ---
**Author:** ![ajb867](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f14d63/32.png) [@ajb867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ajb867)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2010, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-precedent/535594/85 "2010-04-11T20:54:19Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Read the post. He addressed **twickster** personally. **Twickster** did not address any individual poster. No she just addressed all of us. Seriously colibri? ---
**Author:** ![Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sleeps_With_Butterflies)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2010, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-precedent/535594/86 "2010-04-11T20:54:26Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Read the post. He addressed **twickster** personally. **Twickster** did not address any individual poster. So she was addressing all of us then? ETA: DAMNIT (to no one in particular) on preview I was beaten to the punch! Curses (to no one) for my slowness! ---
**Author:** ![SoulFrost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f07891/32.png) [@SoulFrost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SoulFrost)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2010, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-precedent/535594/87 "2010-04-11T20:55:15Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Read the post. He addressed **twickster** personally. **Twickster** did not address any individual poster. What are you fucking talking about, **Colibri**? **Jeff** was riffing on **twickster** ’s own words. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2010, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-precedent/535594/88 "2010-04-11T20:56:42Z")
> [@SoulFrost](#): > > What are you fucking talking about, **Colibri**? **Jeff** was riffing on **twickster** ’s own words. Oh man, if you explain the joke to the plebes that takes all the fun out of it. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2010, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-precedent/535594/89 "2010-04-11T20:59:11Z")
> [@Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](#): > > So she was addressing all of us then? > > ETA: DAMNIT (to no one in particular) on preview I was beaten to the punch! Curses (to no one) for my slowness! So this is less about genuine concern about how the board is run, and more about getting in first with the shots? ---
**Author:** ![Trepa\_Mayfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/edb3f5/32.png) [@Trepa\_Mayfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trepa_Mayfield)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2010, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-precedent/535594/90 "2010-04-11T20:59:51Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Read the post. He addressed **twickster** personally. **Twickster** did not address any individual poster. He said, “Thank you for the fucking apology, Twickster.” The “fucking” is not referring to twickster, it is referring to the apology. The same goes for the other two sentences. Similarly, if I were to say, “Colibri, this is some fucking awful music”, would you issue me a warning for that? After all, you are not the fucking. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2010, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-precedent/535594/91 "2010-04-11T21:00:14Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > So this is less about genuine concern about how the board is run, and more about getting in first with the shots? Quit your mind-reading job immediately, you suck at it. ---
**Author:** ![SoulFrost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f07891/32.png) [@SoulFrost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SoulFrost)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2010, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-precedent/535594/92 "2010-04-11T21:00:56Z")
> [@Jeff](#): > > Oh man, if you explain the joke to the plebes that takes all the fun out of it. Apparently, _somebody_ just didn’t fucking get it. ---
**Author:** ![ajb867](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f14d63/32.png) [@ajb867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ajb867)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2010, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-precedent/535594/93 "2010-04-11T21:01:12Z")
Sleeps was also making a joke Czar of Sarcasm which you apparently missed. ---
**Author:** ![Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sleeps_With_Butterflies)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2010, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-precedent/535594/94 "2010-04-11T21:03:21Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > So this is less about genuine concern about how the board is run, and more about getting in first with the shots? One does me just about as much as good as the other. It seems that the warnings around here are more about stomping out anything the mod doesn’t like and less about genuine concern for how the board is run. The absolute ridiculousness of many, many warnings and suspensions lately is staggering. ---
**Author:** ![statsman1982](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e79b87/32.png) [@statsman1982](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/statsman1982)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2010, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-precedent/535594/95 "2010-04-11T21:19:42Z")
You know, the “f” word is very offensive to some people. I have reported everyone here\* for using it because I am offended. When can I expect a mod to step in on my behalf? \*Again, not really. ---
**Author:** ![maplekiwi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a4c791/32.png) [@maplekiwi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maplekiwi)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2010, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-precedent/535594/96 "2010-04-11T21:44:19Z")
> [@Kal](#): > > How to cut shit like this out in one easy step: > > Put in a language filter so that whichever naughty words give you a case of the vapours show up as \*\*\*\*. > > You’re welcome. > > My consultancy fee is £500. Have Mr. Zotti contact me for Paypal details. \*\*Kal \*\* thanks - great idea! I hate that word, so I’ll investigate how to do that. Truly there is a solution for everything! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![zelie\_zelerton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/59ef9b/32.png) [@zelie\_zelerton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zelie_zelerton)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2010, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-precedent/535594/97 "2010-04-11T21:44:20Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > Pursuant to the complaints here, and to a rather extensive discussion on the mod loop, I have [rescinded **devilsknew** ’s warning](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=12328915&postcount=220) and apologized for overreacting to his use of the word “cunt.” > > For those wondering why it took me so fucking long – I’ve been offline most of the weekend, and am getting ready to turn off the computer again and head out, so will not be responding to any additional comments in this thread till tonight or perhaps tomorrow. Has your profile been hacked twickster? 😕 I see a whole bundle of posts under your username during the period where you were mostly offline. I’m not very web-savvy but I hear that hacking into profiles is relatively simple. Unless of course you share a computer with somebody else at home and they’ve simply used your profile instead. It can be kinda confusing when people do that sort of thing. Can you just confirm that our profiles are safe from hackers? I know there are problems here with malware on the ads and so on so could somebody confirm whether or not twickster’s profile was hacked? [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/...6#post12328256](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/...6#post12328256) today 9:40 am Yesterday: 10:49 am [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/...7#post12325417](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/...7#post12325417) Yesterday 10:30 am [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/...2#post12325382](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/...2#post12325382) Yesterday 10:25 am [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/...8#post12325368](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/...8#post12325368) Yesterday 10:03 am [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/...2#post12325312](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/...2#post12325312) Yesterday 9:29 am [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/...2#post12325232](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/...2#post12325232) Yesterday 8:30 am [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/...8#post12325138](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/...8#post12325138) ---
**Author:** ![Ostrya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/35a633/32.png) [@Ostrya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ostrya)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2010, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-precedent/535594/98 "2010-04-11T21:54:40Z")
**twickster** wrote > [@](#): > > Pursuant to the complaints here, and to a rather extensive discussion on the mod loop, I have rescinded devilsknew’s warning and apologized for overreacting to his use of the word “cunt.” Why did this issue need rather extensive discussing? It’s not that twickster overreacted to the “c” word - it’s his her doling out the warning in the fashion she did for “not following mod instructions”. Like Gary Robinson, she has apparently completely missed the point. > [@](#): > > For those wondering why it took me so fucking long – I’ve been offline most of the weekend, and am getting ready to turn off the computer again and head out, so will not be responding to any additional comments in this thread till tonight or perhaps tomorrow. And your uppity use of the “f” word here demonstrates and reinforces the same attitude that many here are disgusted with. Frankly, it’s not only a bit difficult to take your apology seriously.. but accepting it under the circumstances flies in the face of common sense. I am in total agreement with Fenris. twickster has let this whole mod thing go to her head, behaves as if to be on some kind of power trip, and should step down as a moderator. Further, anyone in position as mod or admin who cannot grasp the bottom line issue at hand here (the heart of the issue is not the “c” word but one abusing mod powers), should rightfully step down, also. You do not have the common sense to be a moderator of this board, a board frequented by persons of above average intelligence. ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2010, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-precedent/535594/99 "2010-04-11T22:01:30Z")
I have to agree with everything said above. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2010, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-precedent/535594/100 "2010-04-11T22:03:48Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > The problem, as i see it, is that the staff here have become so unreceptive and unresponsive to simple complaints that, in the case of **twickster** and **devilsknew** , the poster’s decision to ignore (indeed, specifically disobey) the mod’s instructions was probably the best (and perhaps the only) way to get this issue the attention it deserved. > > If **devilsknew** had obeyed **twickster** ’s instruction, and then started an ATMB thread complaining about the instruction, i suspect that it would have devolved into little more than a debate over subjective judgments. By defying the instruction, **devilsknew** essentially gave **twickster** all the rope she needed to hang herself with a completely ridiculous warning _on top of_ a completely unjustified request. > > I’m glad that **twickster** has rescinded the warning and apologized for her over-reaction, but my sense is that this outcome was actually facilitated by **devilsknew** ’s disobedience in this case. I doubt that your interpretation is correct. The specific issue of Twickster’s first statement to **devlisknew** was discussed among the staff and the consensus was pretty clear that she had gone beyond what she needed to do. On the other hand, the discussion was rather prolonged by discussing the vituperative attacks launched against her and the rest of the staff. You perceive a staff that is not receptive to criticism. I see a staff that fields so much criticism–much of it over the top and lot of it from the same few posters–that an attitude is growing that even when we actually decide to change a ruling we are reluctant to feed into the sense of celebration that some posters exhibit. I’d like to see both sides back off, but when every “question” becomes an accusation and when even a change to a Mod’s decision becomes a basis of more accusations, I am not sure that I see it happening, soon. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-precedent/535594.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-precedent/535594.md?page=6)