# Ban Floater. Or at least action him. **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [November 11, 2011, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-floater-or-at-least-action-him/602625 "2011-11-11T18:56:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-floater-or-at-least-action-him/602625/1 "2011-11-11T18:56:52Z")
[http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=14451886#post14451886](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=14451886#post14451886) **Floater** posted a NSFW, NSFMind shock site with pictures of dead cats being skinned and prepared for eating in the middle of a thread about adopting a cute stray cat, breaking the 2-click rule and the rule that links should be described (as well as shitting all over a thread that was guaranteed to be full of animal lovers who were in the habit of clicking on pictures). Yet he did not even receive an _infraction_. I checked the rules and did not see any indication of the punishment for posting shock sites. I believe his violation should be treated the same as any other shock site poster’s. If posting unsourced goatse is worthy of a permanent ban, then \*\*Floater \*\*should receive one. Or if there’s a way to only ban him from posting in MPSIMS anymore, that would also be appropriate. ---
**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:** [November 11, 2011, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-floater-or-at-least-action-him/602625/2 "2011-11-11T19:16:13Z")
Does **Floater** , a member since 2000, have a history of doing things like this, or are you wanting him banned for what might be a first offence just because of the subject matter? ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-floater-or-at-least-action-him/602625/3 "2011-11-11T19:39:56Z")
Well, the subject matter was unbelievably extreme for simply being considered a “thread shit.” I’m not sure I’d advocate a banning, but I could certainly see a suspension being in order. That was beyond called for. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-floater-or-at-least-action-him/602625/4 "2011-11-11T19:43:29Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Does **Floater** , a member since 2000, have a history of doing things like this, or are you wanting him banned for what might be a first offence just because of the subject matter? 😕 I’m not a moderator. I don’t know the guy or his history. If you actually read my post, I said > [@](#): > > If posting unsourced goatse is worthy of a permanent ban, then \*\*Floater \*\*should receive one. If someone pops into a random thread and posts a link to goatse or dead bodies, breaking the 2-click link rule and without warning people that the link contains graphic content, how is that handled? ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-floater-or-at-least-action-him/602625/5 "2011-11-11T19:50:12Z")
Yeah, if a poster can get a warning for an innocent, _emoticon-accompanied_ expletive-name which was obvious to everyone who saw it that it was a joke, then _this_ disgusting action certainly deserves some swift justice. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-floater-or-at-least-action-him/602625/6 "2011-11-11T20:20:37Z")
Let’s keep a cool head about this. After all, “actioning” isn’t going to bring back those POOR SWEET DARLING LITTLE LOVABLE FURRY KITTYCATS!!!@@ :(:(:(:(:(☹ ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-floater-or-at-least-action-him/602625/7 "2011-11-11T20:26:34Z")
Why not get this thread moved to the Pit so then you can tell him how you _really_ feel? ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-floater-or-at-least-action-him/602625/8 "2011-11-11T20:37:04Z")
> [@KarlGauss](#): > > Why not get this thread moved to the Pit so then you can tell him how you _really_ feel? This thread, IMHO, was correctly started in ATMB. It concerned asking the PTB to do something about a poster’s post. The MOd in question, **Ellen Cherry** , hasn’t been back to the Board since she gave a mod note and spoilered a link this morning. I’m sure she’ll have something more to contribute later today. Anyone is able to open a Pit thread thrashing the offending poster. This thread won’t be moved. **samclem** , Moderator, ---
**Author:** ![Lasciel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e79b87/32.png) [@Lasciel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lasciel)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-floater-or-at-least-action-him/602625/9 "2011-11-11T20:53:51Z")
If there’s a Pitting, I’ll join with pleasure, but it doesn’t stop me from thinking that something more ought to be officially done about that post. That was a drive-by threadshit, it broke the 2-click rule for NSFW/disturbing content, and there was no warning or explanation of the contents, which had nothing to do with the thread in question. Only possible rationale: Floaty WANTED a bunch of cat-lovers to see that site full of nasty. That’s horrible, and ought to at least be warned or suspended or noted or something. If people get Official Warnings for insults in the wrong forums, then I really think something like this ought to be warned as well. It doesn’t look good for someone to be out on the boards and see that, and then think that sort of action is only worth a “don’t do it again” mention. That was deliberate, and Floaty isn’t a new member. I don’t want to get people in trouble over little stuff, but that post was seriously sick, and out of bounds in several ways. ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-floater-or-at-least-action-him/602625/10 "2011-11-11T20:55:17Z")
I rarely chime into these ATMB threads, because I generally just don’t care who gets disciplined on an internet message board and who doesn’t… But I have to agree that **Floater** ’s post was beyond the pale. That was a clear and blatant violation of the “don’t-be-a-jerk” rule, and I’m hard pressed to think of _any_ reason for posting it _other_ than to deliberately be a jerk. Whether it’s a bannable offense is up to TPTB, but this just screams for some sort of action. **Floater** ’s length of membership shouldn’t enter into it. ---
**Author:** ![janis\_and\_c0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janis_and_c0/32/21_2.png) [@janis\_and\_c0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janis_and_c0)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-floater-or-at-least-action-him/602625/11 "2011-11-11T21:00:12Z")
There is now a [pit thread.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=14453546#post14453546) ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-floater-or-at-least-action-him/602625/12 "2011-11-11T21:05:22Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > Let’s keep a cool head about this. After all, “actioning” isn’t going to bring back those POOR SWEET DARLING LITTLE LOVABLE FURRY KITTYCATS!!!@@ :(:(:(:(:(☹ Cute, but in spite of your parody I’m not being histrionic about this (although I don’t appreciate being publicly baited). It’s not about the poor sweet darling little lovable furry kittycats. It’s about breaking multiple board rules and _not being a jerk_. You could take that last to heart, as well. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-floater-or-at-least-action-him/602625/13 "2011-11-11T21:06:28Z")
> [@Wheelz](#): > > I rarely chime into these ATMB threads, because I generally just don’t care who gets disciplined on an internet message board and who doesn’t… But I have to agree that **Floater** ’s post was beyond the pale. That was a clear and blatant violation of the “don’t-be-a-jerk” rule, and I’m hard pressed to think of _any_ reason for posting it _other_ than to deliberately be a jerk. > > Whether it’s a bannable offense is up to TPTB, but this just screams for some sort of action. **Floater** ’s length of membership shouldn’t enter into it. Again, I’m sure Ellen will come back in the near future with more on this. As to the motivation of > [@](#): > > I’m hard pressed to think of _any_ reason for posting it _other_ than to deliberately be a jerk , people post things that are insensitive all the time, but they aren’t consciously trying to be a jerk. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-floater-or-at-least-action-him/602625/14 "2011-11-11T21:26:42Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > people post things that are insensitive all the time, but they aren’t consciously trying to be a jerk. How does that even apply to this situation? Why would you bring that up? Do you (does anyone) really doubt that he was trying to be a jerk? Someone who’s been a member for 11 years cannot be excused for not knowing the rules. Additionally, someone who’s been a member of the human race for at least that long cannot be excused for not knowing that posting a link to skinned cats will upset people reading a thread about cats. Yes, I am saying that an 11-year-old would know that this action was jerkish. There is no explanation for **Floater’s** actions that doesn’t involve him being a jerk. There is no such thing as forum-posting Tourette’s. What possible excuse could there be? Your point is a total red-herring. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-floater-or-at-least-action-him/602625/15 "2011-11-11T21:27:46Z")
So it was put in a spoiler box, big woo. Why didn’t **Ellen Cherry** even give a REASON to put it there. (Warning – contains graphic depictions of animal abuse!) Or better yet, remove it all together? Mods do it all the time. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-floater-or-at-least-action-him/602625/16 "2011-11-11T21:39:18Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > As to the motivation of , people post things that are insensitive all the time, but they aren’t consciously trying to be a jerk. I agree that what you’re saying is generally true. But as Wheelz wrote, it’s hard to see this particular act as anything other than an intentional attempt to be an offensive jerk. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-floater-or-at-least-action-him/602625/17 "2011-11-11T21:41:21Z")
> [@rachelellogram](#): > > How does that even apply to this situation? Why would you bring that up? Do you (does anyone) really doubt that he was trying to be a jerk? Someone who’s been a member for 11 years cannot be excused for not knowing the rules. Additionally, someone who’s been a member of the human race for at least that long cannot be excused for not knowing that posting a link to skinned cats will upset people reading a thread about cats. Yes, I am saying that an 11-year-old would know that this action was jerkish. There is no explanation for **Floater’s** actions that doesn’t involve him being a jerk. There is no such thing as forum-posting Tourette’s. What possible excuse could there be? > > Your point is a total red-herring. Trust me, I wasn’t dragging a dead fish to throw off the bloodhounds. People have different ideas about what is a joke. What is a joke to you(or me) might not be a joke to another person. I’m sorry if you don’t agree with me. Looking at the poster in question and his posts on our Board over a 10 year period doesn’t persuade me that he was consciously being a jerk. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-floater-or-at-least-action-him/602625/18 "2011-11-11T21:56:04Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > Looking at the poster in question and his posts on our Board over a 10 year period doesn’t persuade me that he was consciously being a jerk. Sure, it’s funny, for certain values of funny. As funny as, say, posting goatse or screamer videos for lulz on 4chan. But those values of funny are rule violations on this board, and anybody who has been here for 11 years damn well _knows that_. No need to apologize, as this has nothing to do with what I personally think is funny. I have voluntarily watched videos of women squashing kittens under high heels and teenagers swinging puppies into rivers. I can understand that there are some fucked-up people who find these things funny. I can’t understand how that’s relevant to this thread or this message board. The SDMB is \*\*above \*\*that shit. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-floater-or-at-least-action-him/602625/19 "2011-11-11T22:02:35Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > Trust me, I wasn’t dragging a dead fish to throw off the bloodhounds. > > People have different ideas about what is a joke. What is a joke to you(or me) might not be a joke to another person. I’m sorry if you don’t agree with me. > > Looking at the poster in question and his posts on our Board over a 10 year period doesn’t persuade me that he was consciously being a jerk. I’d like to now officially retract my statement that I didn’t care about my warning in [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=628447). Seriously, WTF? I’ve been here just as long as Floater has and I get a warning for an obvious joke and this floats away into nothing. Actually, I’m not really pissed off at my warning … but in light of the above quote, I’m amazed at the double-standard. ---
**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:** [November 11, 2011, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-floater-or-at-least-action-him/602625/20 "2011-11-11T22:09:39Z")
Since the Moderator that you are attempting to question is currently off-line, repeated requests for answers from her might not be productive. Also,since she might not be in the habit of doing vanity checks to see if anyone is talking about her every decision, you might want to send an IM. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-floater-or-at-least-action-him/602625.md?page=2)