# Criticising Mods **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [July 31, 2017, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criticising-mods/792521 "2017-07-31T17:55:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criticising-mods/792521/1 "2017-07-31T17:55:24Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally Posted by Budget Player Cadet View Post > Secondly: the moderators should definitely know better. How is this guy still here?! He’s not even an interesting troll like most of the people who get banned after a few days (I’ll take that asshole from Rutgers’s latest sock account over him any day). He just throws out the stupidest, most obliviously dumb right-wing opinion available and waits for people to inevitably jump on it. Even if there was any reasonable doubt that this fucker was a troll (which there really isn’t), the sheer detrimental effect he has on basically every thread he touches should be enough to put the fucker out to pasture already. There is no reason this person should still have posting rights. Or, if by some bizarre contractual reason you can’t ban him, Tachy Goes To Coventry is a basic function on vBulletin 3, use that instead. [QUOTE=Miller] [Moderating] If you have an issue with the moderation of the board, start a thread in ATMB about it. _Pitting the moderation staff over the actions we take (or refrain from taking) in our capacity as moderators is against the rules._ No warning issued, but I am closing the thread. You are free to continue your Clothahump-related tantrum in new thread that actually follows the board rules. [/Moderating] [/QUOTE] Emphasis added. Where is it [in the rules](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/faq.php?faq=vb3_board_faq#faq_sdmb_rules) that we cannot criticize mod decisions in the Pit? ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criticising-mods/792521/2 "2017-07-31T18:03:55Z")
Here, in the BBQ Pit rules. [QUOTE=Ed Zotti] No complaints about SDMB administration in the Pit All comments or complaints about SDMB administration should go in the About This Message Board forum, not in the Pit. Pitting of SDMB staff is permitted for views they express as ordinary posters. [/QUOTE] > **[Revised Forum Rules for the BBQ Pit: read this before posting](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=507985)** > > The BBQ Pit is the forum for rants about the outside world or quarrels between posters - often the first turns into the second. Although the standards of discourse are looser than in the other forums, the Pit is NOT a free-for-all - you don’t have to... ---
**Author:** ![bucketybuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@bucketybuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bucketybuck)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criticising-mods/792521/3 "2017-07-31T18:13:48Z")
The real stupid part is that the thread was clearly a Pitting of a poster, not a pitting of the moderators and their actions. I know the OP made reference to the mods as well but come on, the thread itself has next to no discussion of the mods and what they should do or not do. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criticising-mods/792521/4 "2017-07-31T18:21:57Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > Here, in the BBQ Pit rules. > > [Revised Forum Rules for the BBQ Pit: read this before posting - The BBQ Pit - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=507985) Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criticising-mods/792521/5 "2017-07-31T18:26:18Z")
> [@bucketybuck](#): > > The real stupid part is that the thread was clearly a Pitting of a poster, not a pitting of the moderators and their actions. > > I know the OP made reference to the mods as well but come on, the thread itself has next to no discussion of the mods and what they should do or not do. Still, there’s pretty strong criticism of the Mods right there in the OP, so I don’t see a problem with the rule being applied. It might have been preferable to close it before it got to three pages if that was the issue, but I’ll assume **Miller** was busy. ---
**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:** [July 31, 2017, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criticising-mods/792521/6 "2017-07-31T18:28:03Z")
> [@bucketybuck](#): > > The real stupid part is that the thread was clearly a Pitting of a poster, not a pitting of the moderators and their actions. “I pit all the morons who continue to engage with Clothahump, and the mods who refuse to ban him”-It’s right there in the title of the thread. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criticising-mods/792521/7 "2017-07-31T20:38:43Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > Here, in the BBQ Pit rules. > > [Revised Forum Rules for the BBQ Pit: read this before posting - The BBQ Pit - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=507985) Also, from the Main page of this MB where the forum descriptions are listed: > [@](#): > > **The BBQ Pit** > For rants about the world or beefs with another poster. Comments and complaints about SDMB administration should go in About This Message Board. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criticising-mods/792521/8 "2017-07-31T21:16:34Z")
I’ve never been a fan of this rule. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criticising-mods/792521/9 "2017-07-31T21:29:09Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > I’ve never been a fan of this rule. Take it to the Pit. 😃 ---
**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:** [July 31, 2017, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criticising-mods/792521/10 "2017-07-31T21:32:55Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > I’ve never been a fan of this rule. And you probably weren’t a moderator back before the rule was instituted. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criticising-mods/792521/11 "2017-07-31T23:21:54Z")
Yes, it’s in the rules. But **Miller** has previously bent those rules with making fun of people for reporting trolls, so it seems fair that posters can bend the rules, too. The primary focus is not on the mods but on posters. At most, this deserves a “If you have a problem with the moderation, please take this up in ATMB. Please keep this thread focused on posters and mods acting as posters. No Warning issued.” Furthermore, it seems clear that the mods don’t care and will not remove admitted trolls. There’s now two people who have admitted offboard that they are trolling here. One has already been suspended for trolling before: **Clothahump** , and thus this should be the last straw. **Morgenstern** has also apparently admitted that they are trolling “the idiots here,” and should receive at least a Warning. When admitted trolls aren’t being dealt with, it makes sense that posters may have some animosity towards the mods who won’t deal with them. It seems a bad idea to punish them rather than the trolls. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criticising-mods/792521/12 "2017-07-31T23:38:10Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Yes, it’s in the rules. But **Miller** has previously bent those rules with making fun of people for reporting trolls… Have I? ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criticising-mods/792521/13 "2017-07-31T23:49:40Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Yes, it’s in the rules. But **Miller** has previously bent those rules with making fun of people for reporting trolls, so it seems fair that posters can bend the rules, too. The primary focus is not on the mods but on posters. At most, this deserves a “If you have a problem with the moderation, please take this up in ATMB. Please keep this thread focused on posters and mods acting as posters. No Warning issued.” > > Furthermore, it seems clear that the mods don’t care and will not remove admitted trolls. There’s now two people who have admitted offboard that they are trolling here. One has already been suspended for trolling before: **Clothahump** , and thus this should be the last straw. **Morgenstern** has also apparently admitted that they are trolling “the idiots here,” and should receive at least a Warning. > > When admitted trolls aren’t being dealt with, it makes sense that posters may have some animosity towards the mods who won’t deal with them. It seems a bad idea to punish them rather than the trolls. Who was punished? I didn’t see any warnings issued. The mods were being pitted for not banning a poster. Discussions about moderator actions belong in ATMB. **Miller** was well within his rights to close the thread. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2017, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criticising-mods/792521/14 "2017-08-01T00:52:24Z")
There are some here (the OP is not one of them; he simply asked a question which got answered) who will complain of almost any moderator actions. It’s a no-win situation for them. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2017, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criticising-mods/792521/15 "2017-08-01T00:59:39Z")
It was probably explained at the time, but what was the rationale for banning complaints about moderators in the Pit? After all, it used to be the correct action. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2017, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criticising-mods/792521/16 "2017-08-01T01:08:05Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Yes, it’s in the rules. But **Miller** has previously bent those rules with making fun of people for reporting trolls, so it seems fair that posters can bend the rules, too. Tell the cop who just wrote you a ticket for speeding that you can speed because you saw a cop speed by you. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2017, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criticising-mods/792521/17 "2017-08-01T01:12:12Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > When admitted trolls aren’t being dealt with, it makes sense that posters may have some animosity towards the mods who won’t deal with them. It seems a bad idea to punish them rather than the trolls. I completely agree. People who post admissions of trolling like: [“I will intentionally push your buttons by saying things I know will bug you.”](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=15924289&postcount=23) and [“Do what I do [when people are annoyed at you]. Threaten to get even more annoying if they don’t shut up.”](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=15893860&postcount=103) should be dealt with harshly. Hell, I’ll go so far as to say that people like that should be instabanned. Or at least they shouldn’t bitch about the mods being similarly lenient to other people. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2017, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criticising-mods/792521/18 "2017-08-01T01:20:02Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > Tell the cop who just wrote you a ticket for speeding that you can speed because you saw a cop speed by you. That’s a rather poor analogy for a whole plethora of reasons. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2017, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criticising-mods/792521/19 "2017-08-01T01:27:22Z")
> [@asterion](#): > > It was probably explained at the time, but what was the rationale for banning complaints about moderators in the Pit? After all, it used to be the correct action. It’s hard to have civil discussions about moderator actions when people can say things like, “Hey, \, you fucking idiot. Why the fuck did you give me a warning, you fartsucker? I bet your parents were first cousins, weren’t they?” Putting discussions in ATMB forces people to be civil and rationally discuss their differences with the mods on particular actions. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2017, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criticising-mods/792521/20 "2017-08-01T01:35:48Z")
> [@Fenris](#): > > I completely agree. People who post admissions of trolling like: [“I will intentionally push your buttons by saying things I know will bug you.”](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=15924289&postcount=23) and [“Do what I do [when people are annoyed at you]. Threaten to get even more annoying if they don’t shut up.”](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=15893860&postcount=103) should be dealt with harshly. > > Hell, I’ll go so far as to say that people like that should be instabanned. Or at least they shouldn’t bitch about the mods being similarly lenient to other people. Seconded. Anyone who does that should be permabanned. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criticising-mods/792521.md?page=2)