# Discussion of Pit rules **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 27, 2002, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-pit-rules/121051 "2002-07-27T02:18:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**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:** [January 21, 2003, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-pit-rules/121051/221 "2003-01-21T00:07:13Z")
Hmmm… here less than three weeks and already picking fights with **Tomndebb** , one of the most mild-mannered, intelligent and articulate posters around (have you _ever_ pitted someone **tom**?) This is gonna be interesting. Anyway, I’ll watch your SDMB career with deep and abiding interest, Ki42. Fenris ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2003, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-pit-rules/121051/222 "2003-01-21T00:39:04Z")
> [@](#): > > when you posted ‘how many posts do you need?’, i interpreted it as 'you are posting too much As I noted: poor reading comprehension. The exchange was: > [@](#): > > it never really had the chance to get funny. Indicating that with more posts in that particular thread, it might have eventually become humorous. To which I responded > [@](#): > > How many posts do you need? to actually get to the point of being funny. I did not, have not, nor would I suggest that you need to post less frequently or more frequently. I was simply curious as to why you felt that your own thread needed more posts to obtain “the chance to _get_ funny” (emphasis mine). > [@](#): > > have you _ever_ pitted someone **tom**? Nah. And I’m unlikely to start now. I simply responded to **Ki** ’s question here with an attempt to provide an answer. **Ki** took umbrage at my explanations (which is his right, of course) and we have been exchanging views on the topic for a couple of days. I do suspect that **Ki** ’s apparently thin skin and obvious lack of reading skills will serve him ill, over time, but everyone deserves a chance to learn and grow. I might even be mistaken; perhaps he is simply having a bad week. ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2003, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-pit-rules/121051/223 "2003-01-21T00:41:46Z")
Fenris, I’m not that sure it really is a step up from watching the grass grow. _::::::::: flee :::::::_ ---
**Author:** ![Ki42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8dc957/32.png) [@Ki42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ki42)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2003, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-pit-rules/121051/224 "2003-01-21T00:48:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Fenris \* > \*\*Hmmm… here less than three weeks and already picking fights with **Tomndebb** , one of the most mild-mannered, intelligent and articulate posters around (have you _ever_ pitted someone **tom**?) This is gonna be interesting. > > Anyway, I’ll watch your SDMB career with deep and abiding interest, Ki42. > > Fenris \*\* thanks, i hope its interesting as well. does this mean i have a stalker now? 😉 peace ---
**Author:** ![Ki42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8dc957/32.png) [@Ki42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ki42)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2003, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-pit-rules/121051/225 "2003-01-21T01:34:14Z")
1. tom, i could continue to argue with your odd version of selective unilateral logic. but im getting bored of this game. 2. tom, i give up. you win. take your pick… in fact take both, neither, or any permutation of the two you wish… i dont mind. take it easy, Ki42 ---
**Author:** ![GOBOTGOTH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f05b48/32.png) [@GOBOTGOTH](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GOBOTGOTH)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2003, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-pit-rules/121051/226 "2003-01-30T07:46:00Z")
you’re fired. ---
**Author:** ![jeanster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc348/32.png) [@jeanster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jeanster)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2003, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-pit-rules/121051/227 "2003-02-10T00:07:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by dantheman \* > \*\*Why would one ever feel he or she absolutely had to respond to what another member said? That implies a certain lack of free will and self-control. If someone’s that focused on getting me to say something back to them, I won’t give them that courtesy and will instead choose not to respond. If they continue to goad - which is a form of harrassment - then it’s time to contact a moderator or an administrator. > > No one has the power to make me say something on a message board. That’s my responsibility, and I won’t duck it for any reason. \*\* I like your attitude. Good advice. I recently had to report someone who was trying to goad me into an ongoing argument. Decided not to give that poster the satisfaction. Let the mod deal with it. I have better things to do. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2003, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-pit-rules/121051/228 "2003-02-10T01:01:51Z")
Typically the mods get involved when one of the rules is _actually broken_. Out of curiosity, have you ever read one of Cecil’s columns? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Mermaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@The\_Mermaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Mermaid)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2003, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-pit-rules/121051/229 "2003-02-10T01:12:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jeanster \* > \*\*I like your attitude. Good advice. I recently had to report someone who was trying to goad me into an ongoing argument. Decided not to give that poster the satisfaction. Let the mod deal with it. I have better things to do. \*\* And watch out all of you. Now that she’s got that pointer finger warmed up and she’s not afraid to use it. ---
**Author:** ![jeanster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc348/32.png) [@jeanster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jeanster)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2003, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-pit-rules/121051/230 "2003-02-10T01:51:18Z")
I refuse to engage in a battle of wits against an unarmed opponent. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2003, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-pit-rules/121051/231 "2003-02-10T01:56:34Z")
zzzzzzzzzzzzzing! now if I can just figure out what battle of wits you are referring to with your tired cliché we’ll be set. ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2003, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-pit-rules/121051/232 "2003-02-10T01:57:09Z")
Typically, we enjoy discourse on an intellectual level. We don’t sink to petty insults and hissy fits and tantrums when we’re disagreed with. Perhaps you should pick up on that, **jeanster**. ---
**Author:** ![samarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4da419/32.png) [@samarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samarm)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2003, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-pit-rules/121051/233 "2003-02-10T02:07:35Z")
**jeanster** : can you copy and paste into here the relevant part of **Opal** ’s posts where she “goaded you”, or in any way whatsoever was “rude” to you? If you do that, you may get some sympathy. Otherwise, you just come off as extremely sensitive, and a little spiteful. ---
**Author:** ![samarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4da419/32.png) [@samarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samarm)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2003, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-pit-rules/121051/234 "2003-02-10T02:09:09Z")
On second thoughts, don’t paste into this thread, use the BBQ Pit thread that is already open, as that forum would be more appropiate. ---
**Author:** ![jeanster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc348/32.png) [@jeanster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jeanster)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2003, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-pit-rules/121051/235 "2003-02-10T05:14:09Z")
Sorry, dears. I won’t have time for that. I want to apologize for anything I may have posted recently that may have rubbed you the wrong way. I’m under a great deal of stress now because my time to go into labor may be coming sooner than expected. I was not due to give birth to my firstborn until the end of this month or early March. I am very scared, and so my emotions have been going haywire lately. If I took it out on any of you here in this community, I apologize. I didn’t want to say it before because I didn’t think it was anyone else’s business. But you deserve to know why I seem to be especially sensitive here. It’s hard for me to grow a thick skin and just let stuff roll off my back when I’m scared shitless about going into the labor for the very first time. Everyone tells me it’s going to be fine, but I’m worried about complications. You never know, right? I’ve read the books and discussed experiences of giving birth with my sister and friends who have had babies. But I’m still scared. Plus I might not even be have my own choice of doctor attending me because he’s still on the east coast on vacation. I’ll have to settle for some doctor I don’t even know. Anyway, I will be taking a long break from the computer while I spend this week and so on taking care of important stuff I need to deal with. I wish you all well. Enjoy your time here in the forums. I’ll have my hubby check my e-mail for me in case there are any urgent messages. But for now I really need to focus on preparing for the arrival of my baby. Looks like I might even have this kid before I have my baby shower which is scheduled this coming weekend. Oh, well. Love to all, Jeanster ---
**Author:** ![samarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4da419/32.png) [@samarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samarm)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2003, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-pit-rules/121051/236 "2003-02-10T05:16:48Z")
Well, good luck, jeanster! Hope all goes well. Do let us know how things went when you come back on-line. ---
**Author:** ![samarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4da419/32.png) [@samarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samarm)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2003, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-pit-rules/121051/237 "2003-02-10T05:19:03Z")
Oh, and I understand your behaviour. Honestly forget it. Remember, it’s only a message board! ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Nader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Darth\_Nader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Nader)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2003, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-pit-rules/121051/238 "2003-02-10T05:49:47Z")
Wow. ---
**Author:** ![samarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4da419/32.png) [@samarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samarm)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2003, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-pit-rules/121051/239 "2003-02-10T05:54:08Z")
Wow, what? What was the point of that? ---
**Author:** ![jeanster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc348/32.png) [@jeanster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jeanster)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2003, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-pit-rules/121051/240 "2003-02-10T16:59:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by samarm \* > \*\*Well, good luck, jeanster! Hope all goes well. Do let us know how things went when you come back on-line. \*\* Hello, Samarm. No, this is not Jeanster. I am her husband. She asked me to stop by to thank you for your kind words. She also said she’ll be sure to let you know how the delivery goes when she returns. You’re sweet. It’s nice that you care. She didn’t say much about the group here, other than it’s made of nice people and that some of them have an interesting way of showing it. I wasn’t sure what she meant by that until I read a controversial thread she started. I’m not going to step into that thread to say anything because I believe I’d only be accused of not being able to be objective since she’s my wife. I’ll only say this. I read the thread over twice this morning to make sure I had a clear understanding of what was happening. Here’s what I observed. It was not until after the moderator moved the thread over to the BBQ Pit when the tension between her and OpalCat started. My wife did her best to maintain a courteous and civil tone. Read it and see for yourself. It was the nonstop jabs by OpalCat (poking fun at my wife, the demeaning comments, implying that she’s ridiculous and shouldn’t be so sensitive) that she felt the need to defend herself and then resorted to having the moderator step in, rather than continue in a futile attempt to reason with OpalCat. I don’t know OpalCat, but I do know that any reasonable person would not want to be poked fun of and spoken to in the manner that OpalCat replied to my wife’s posts. Again, you may think I cannot be objective about this. So read the thread and see for yourself. Anyway, I have to go now and finalize things at work. I’m going to take some time off to help care for our firstborn child. Thank you for your time. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-pit-rules/121051.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-pit-rules/121051.md?page=13)