# Bannings. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 13, 2003, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bannings/218851 "2003-12-13T23:29:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bannings/218851/21 "2003-12-14T02:08:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Gyan9 \* > I can’t see this turning into a free-for-all. I can. If people can go ballistic over [minor political issues](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&postid=4349105#post4349105), imagine the vitriol we’d see if a crafty poster were fighting the lord high executioner for his very life! **Lynn** has a tough enough job. She doesn’t _need_ more abuse. ---
**Author:** ![imthjckaz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/imthjckaz/32/3223_2.png) [@imthjckaz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/imthjckaz)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bannings/218851/22 "2003-12-14T02:11:06Z")
Well, I guess we’re all infidels. Everybody must get stoned. ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bannings/218851/23 "2003-12-14T02:14:03Z")
A free-for-all, yes. This is a community of intelligent, witty, sincere people, indeed – but a look at some of the nastier, long-waged train wrecks here just in _this_ forum, should tell you that the community also has human beings , each vociferous in their opinion, and sometimes as bloody-minded as the next guy. Trial-by-peers would need its own arena. On the other hand, the board _might_ be able to make a few bucks selling tickets … ---
**Author:** ![Ilsa\_Lund](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a6a055/32.png) [@Ilsa\_Lund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ilsa_Lund)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bannings/218851/24 "2003-12-14T02:17:16Z")
> [@](#): > > On the other hand, the board might be able to make a few bucks selling tickets … S Live at the SSSSSTRAIGHTTTT DOOOOOPPPEEEE! ---
**Author:** ![county](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce7236/32.png) [@county](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/county)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bannings/218851/25 "2003-12-14T02:18:36Z")
I participated in a previous thread about this (as I am “under review” - i.e. have been warned). A guy on the other thread said he had been banned and exchanged some e-mail traffic with the powers that be and was reinstated. Sounded reasonable to me. (You get a shot) So, anyway, after attempting to “not be a jerk” I get fucking pitted. It’s like Roseane Roseannadana says “It” always something" ---
**Author:** ![vanilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f19dbf/32.png) [@vanilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vanilla)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bannings/218851/26 "2003-12-14T02:34:33Z")
Could a Mod ever get banned? Wouldn’t they have to have a total melt down or some such? ---
**Author:** ![El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/41988e/32.png) [@El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Cid_Viscoso)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bannings/218851/27 "2003-12-14T02:40:30Z")
**county** , I don’t know your style and I’m definitely not taking sides here, but a number of posters in the other thread have encouraged and commended your courtesy during the debates. At the very least, in _this_ thread you say that you’re trying your best to “not be a jerk.” To me, that indicates retrospection, and that you care about being here. Good on you. ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bannings/218851/28 "2003-12-14T02:43:58Z")
I second what **Mr. B** said, **county**. At least you’re trying. Good on you for that. I think one mod has been banned (Melin?). It involved threats of legal action against the board, IIRC. ---
**Author:** ![Scotticher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Scotticher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scotticher)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bannings/218851/29 "2003-12-14T02:46:12Z")
**Gyan9** , you seem to be under the impression that this is a democracy. That we all have ownership in this board and therefore we should be allowed a voice in how things are handled. In a sense, this is true in that we are a community and the opinions of our members DO matter to our moderators. I actually DO know of a situation where a member was NOT banned because of the explanations/support of members concerning this person. That person did eventually get banned anyway, and I guess I have to say it was deserved. BUT…the member WAS given another chance due to the intervention of other members. Thus proving that our moderators are NOT heartless power-hungry dictators. However, this board is owned by the Chicago Reader and administered by a group of people to whom the CR has given the authority OF ownership. If you disagree with a banning, I would suggest that you email all of the moderators and state your case. It may or may not change their decision, but it is the only appeal process that makes sense…given the fact that we as members are not privy to private communications between the banned person and the authorities. Personally, I have to say that even when a banning made me sad…and even when I disagreed with a banning…I have always been able to see quite clearly WHY it happened. Usually I only wonder why someone HASN’T been banned…not why someone IS banned. ---
**Author:** ![II\_Gyan\_II](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/bbe5ce/32.png) [@II\_Gyan\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/II_Gyan_II)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bannings/218851/30 "2003-12-14T03:21:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Scotticher \* > \*\ ***Gyan9** , you seem to be under the impression that this is a democracy. \*\* Never. If it was, then the current system wouldn’t be tolerated. Given the nature and purpose of this board, and that prolific posters are not spammers or trollers i.e. an obvious banning offence, most bans involve the “being a jerk” rule. And being a jerk, mostly is such a context-sensitive judgement that a process visible to the community feels warranted. ---
**Author:** ![Apos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/838e76/32.png) [@Apos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apos)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bannings/218851/31 "2003-12-14T03:24:08Z")
> [@](#): > > as we had pretty much decided not to use custom member statuses unless we could charge money for them. I don’t know about anyone else, but I would gladly pay real money to have my member status changed permanently to “asshat.” What a great word that is. ---
**Author:** ![vanilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f19dbf/32.png) [@vanilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vanilla)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bannings/218851/32 "2003-12-14T03:40:42Z")
asshat Like a hat made from ass? a hat that looks like an ass? your ass is on your head? what does Apos mean anyway? ---
**Author:** ![robertliguori](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/46a35a/32.png) [@robertliguori](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robertliguori)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bannings/218851/33 "2003-12-14T03:53:58Z")
There once was young Apos from Kew Who found an asshat in his stew. Said the mod, “Do not shout Or wave it about, Or the rest will be wanting one too!” ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bannings/218851/34 "2003-12-14T04:32:23Z")
But **Apos** , determined, stood pat. He wanted that word, and that’s that! **Lynn** finally gave in Now **Apos** can grin As he posts and talks through his asshat. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bannings/218851/35 "2003-12-14T04:32:27Z")
If we’re going to change anything about the banning process, the only thing I’d consider would be to not change member status to “BANNED.” I’d much rather people simply faded away, rather than call attention to it with such an obvious label. ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bannings/218851/36 "2003-12-14T04:35:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Gyan9 \* > \*\*An internet message board for fighting ignorance, comprised of people capable of critical thought. I can’t see this turning into a free-for-all. \*\* With respect, I think a careful review of many past threads regarding bannings will show that many of them did turn into free-for-all’s. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bannings/218851/37 "2003-12-14T04:59:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Gyan9 \* > Never. If it was, (a democracy) then the current system wouldn’t be tolerated. Given the nature and purpose of this board, and that prolific posters are not spammers or trollers i.e. an obvious banning offence, most bans involve the “being a jerk” rule. And being a jerk, mostly is such a context-sensitive judgement that a process visible to the community feels warranted. ( )added for clarity > [@](#): > > Never having written much before, Socrates wrote some poems (lost to us) while awaiting execution. On his final day, the prison warder orders Socrates to stop philosophizing with visiting friends, since it would heat him up and slow the action of the poison once he dutifully swallows it. Revealingly, however, Socrates for a last time says, no, he would not voluntarily be silent: “That is his affair. Let him make his own preparations for administering it twice or three times if necessary” [The trial of Socrates](http://www.wsu.edu/~tcook/doc/Socrates2.htm) ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bannings/218851/38 "2003-12-14T05:05:45Z")
Well, I believe there’s a **Joey Hemlock** who posts here… ---
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bannings/218851/39 "2003-12-14T05:13:28Z")
On the board I admin, the policy is: - Users are warned both privately and publically. - Admins and mods don’t discuss the banning in public. We don’t want to add insult to injury. - Users can discuss it, like on the SDMB. - A banned user can ask to return, unless they tried to hack the board. - There are general board guidelines. Like Una, the warning and banning process are somewhat arbitrary; like porn, you know an offense when you say it. ---
**Author:** ![Desmostylus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c57346/32.png) [@Desmostylus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desmostylus)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bannings/218851/40 "2003-12-14T05:49:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Cervaise \* > \*\*If we’re going to change anything about the banning process, the only thing I’d consider would be to not change member status to “BANNED.” I’d much rather people simply faded away, rather than call attention to it with such an obvious label. \*\* I disagree. If this was done, we’d have countless “What happened to…” threads, because people would wonder why **december** (for example) suddenly stopped posting. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bannings/218851.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bannings/218851.md?page=3)