I’ve mis-posted in the wrong thread so much lately (or so I’m told), but this is a question about board operations:
Are moderators allowed to moderate in all fora, or are they limited to the forums where they are listed as moderators?
It has recently become confusing whether a moderator is acting as a moderator or just forcefully asserting a personal opinion, and domain might clear it up.
Mods have moderatorial powers in all fora, and in cases where the course of action is obvious (blatant spam, OP saying “oops, I misposted this”, etc.) typically the first moderator on the scene takes care of it. Mind you, this is still generally one of the moderators for that forum, since that’s what they read the most. But when there’s a judgement call involved, they usually communicate behind the scenes (mods exchange about 50 e-mails a day about mod duties) and give extra weight to the judgement of the moderator of the forum.
In my experience, moderators generally make it very clear whether they’re speaking as a Moderator or just as a member. But if, for some reason, they don’t, well, a displeased mod isn’t exactly a good thing, even if he’s only unofficially displeased.
We all cover for one another across the board, though mostly we’re responsible for our own areas.
If a moderator is expressing a personal opinion, they usually go out of their way to show it as such; otherwise, it is work-oriented.
your humble TubaDiva
Administrator
Thank you both. I will keep this in mind. I’m well aware that being a mod isn’t a fun Carribean Cruise, and I’m grateful to the mods for keeping us from anarchy.
When a mod is acting, well, inappropriately or ‘strangely,’ do you monitor each other for competence as well? Depend on reports from intimidated dopers? Or just let it work itself out?
It’s the old “Who Mods the Mods?” question. I guess it’s not my business, but when I see someone acting strangely, I might wonder if they’re off their meds, overworked and needing of a rest, or just in need of a friend to talk to, and I don’t know how to act in these situations, (except to proceed gently. 
)
Mods are human, too.
Actually, at least in my case, I would say that I go out of my way to label my official opinions as such. Otherwise, you can assume it’s just me talking.
I do as MEBuckner does: if I’m speaking as a Moderator, I usually label it as such. Otherwise, I’m speaking as a Poster, or a SDSAB member, or something else.
Who moderates the Mods? The other mods bring in Ed Zotti, who is the Ultimate Power on the Boards. (Direct emails to Ed from members to complain about a Moderator’s behavior are usually dismissed as mere whining. Ed’s got plenty to do without having to deal with that sort of crap.
So basically, if you seriously think that a Moderator has misbehaved, then the best recourse is:
Frankly, that’s the best way to get positive results if you think something unfair has happened. Posting a great long whining or heated soap-box oration has way less chance of being effective.
Ooooohhh…so you guys don’t like it when we start Pit threads titled “F*** YOU DEX1!1!!” in which we call you nazis who want to destroy our freedom of expression and you automatically ban all libservatives cuz you want only YOUR opinions stated by the collective brain of the SDMB where everyone but MEEEE believes the same exact thing?
And doing this is not an effective way to punish you for having said something I didn’t like?
Well dang. There went my plans for the weekend. 