# Can we ask why a poster is banned? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 17, 2004, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-ask-why-a-poster-is-banned/245565 "2004-05-17T10:28:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2004, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-ask-why-a-poster-is-banned/245565/1 "2004-05-17T10:28:15Z")
No names here, but noticed someone was banned. I tried a search of all posts by said Doper, limiting it to threads that had current posts just before Doper was banned. (i.e. anything posted after the non-banned Doper posted it when I saw last) _If that makes any sense_ My question is, are we allowed to ask why, or is that against the rules since the poster isn’t here? This isn’t snarky, as I wasn’t necessarilly a fan, just curious. (And if I didn’t cover my ass enough on that one, all rights to ammendments are reserved) 😉 ---
**Author:** ![AngelicGemma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/439d5e/32.png) [@AngelicGemma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AngelicGemma)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2004, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-ask-why-a-poster-is-banned/245565/2 "2004-05-17T10:45:10Z")
If we want to ask I think we’re supposed to e-mail a mod. ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2004, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-ask-why-a-poster-is-banned/245565/3 "2004-05-17T10:48:51Z")
If I get that curious, I will. Thanks for the response. Right now it’s not a priority, just mild curiosity. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2004, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-ask-why-a-poster-is-banned/245565/4 "2004-05-17T11:38:49Z")
Further notes on board protocol: If you’re asking _how_ something works, post it in **About This Message Board** ; If you’re asking _why_ something happened, post it in **The BBQ Pit**. (The OP does not directly fall into either of these categories, but I suspect that the staff would prefer to see similar threads in the **Pit** rather than **GQ**.) ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2004, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-ask-why-a-poster-is-banned/245565/5 "2004-05-17T11:51:18Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > Further notes on board protocol: > > If you’re asking _how_ something works, post it in **About This Message Board** ; > > If you’re asking _why_ something happened, post it in **The BBQ Pit**. > (The OP does not directly fall into either of these categories, but I suspect that the staff would prefer to see similar threads in the **Pit** rather than **GQ**.) Thanks, I’ll just put it there if not already posted and see what happens. ---
**Author:** ![Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jimmy_Chitwood)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2004, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-ask-why-a-poster-is-banned/245565/6 "2004-05-17T12:01:34Z")
**county’s** banning was explained, to some extent, [here.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=4866567&postcount=47) ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2004, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-ask-why-a-poster-is-banned/245565/7 "2004-05-17T12:17:51Z")
**Jimmy** , I got the answer, thanks for the help though. _Mods_ Feel free to lock the thread since I re-opened on about this in the Pit. Thanks again for the help all. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Kentzel-Griffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ccd318/32.png) [@John\_Kentzel-Griffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Kentzel-Griffin)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2004, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-ask-why-a-poster-is-banned/245565/8 "2004-05-17T12:22:14Z")
From [FAQ - guidelines for posting at the SDMB](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=106617): > [@Arnold Winkelried](#): > > If you have a question about bannings / banned users, the staff prefer that you e-mail a staff member (administrator or moderator) rather than asking publicly on the board. This is closed. **DrMatrix** - GQ Moderator