# Do you have to be offended by personal insults for them to count **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [July 10, 2010, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-to-be-offended-by-personal-insults-for-them-to-count/546229 "2010-07-10T17:16:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**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 12, 2010, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-to-be-offended-by-personal-insults-for-them-to-count/546229/141 "2010-07-12T19:01:11Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > It is not just me. Go look through my **Czarcasm** threads in this very forum. Several reputable posters, including **Bricker** , have made similar comments. If I was the only one that ever said anything, it would be easier to just ignore me…but I’m not. > > Sometimes, I think conservatives are not really welcome here. And that’s a shame. Despite what so many of the rudest and most obnoxious GD regulars, and at least one former mod say, we are not all evil, stupid, mean, stinky, not nice people. Some of us are pretty smart, and fun at parties. Is it possible that it isn’t what some conservatives say, but how they say it? ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-to-be-offended-by-personal-insults-for-them-to-count/546229/142 "2010-07-12T19:10:31Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Another conservative. My point stands. So, you won’t believe there are any problems with the way conservatives are treated by mods here until a liberal says it, too? Do you believe all conservatives are inherently unreasonable people? Because that’s definitely the vibe I’m getting. ---
**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 12, 2010, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-to-be-offended-by-personal-insults-for-them-to-count/546229/143 "2010-07-12T19:16:01Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > So, you won’t believe there are any problems with the way conservatives are treated by mods here until a liberal says it, too? > > Do you believe all conservatives are inherently unreasonable people? Because that’s definitely the vibe I’m getting. I don’t do “vibes”, and I doubt very much _all_ conservatives have trouble posting their opinions without skirting the rules ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-to-be-offended-by-personal-insults-for-them-to-count/546229/144 "2010-07-12T19:19:18Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > So, you won’t believe there are any problems with the way conservatives are treated by mods here until a liberal says it, too? I’m sure you can find one who agrees with you. I don’t think that would equal a consensus though. > [@](#): > > Do you believe all conservatives are inherently unreasonable people? Because that’s definitely the vibe I’m getting. I didn’t used to. But since they started requiring purity tests and shooed all the moderates away, yeah, conservatism has become an intellectually bankrupt philosphy. I agree, that is a shame for political discourse. If you feel you are being unfairly tarred with my broad brush, perhaps you should more closely examine the people you associate with. A man is known by the company he keeps. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-to-be-offended-by-personal-insults-for-them-to-count/546229/145 "2010-07-12T19:23:44Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > I don’t do “vibes”, and I doubt very much _all_ conservatives have trouble posting their opinions without skirting the rules For the second time, I do not have such difficulties. As an example, is there any doubt in your mind about what I think of you? ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-to-be-offended-by-personal-insults-for-them-to-count/546229/146 "2010-07-12T19:25:22Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > But since they started requiring purity tests and shooed all the moderates away, yeah, conservatism has become an intellectually bankrupt philosphy. I agree, that is a shame for political discourse. If you feel you are being unfairly tarred with my broad brush, perhaps you should more closely examine the people you associate with. A man is known by the company he keeps. At least you’re honest. You are also now unfit to serve as a moderator, for admitted bias. I expect to see your resignation shortly. ---
**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 12, 2010, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-to-be-offended-by-personal-insults-for-them-to-count/546229/147 "2010-07-12T19:27:11Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > So, you won’t believe there are any problems with the way conservatives are treated by mods here until a liberal says it, too? IS that how you really see it? all who don’t declare themselves to be conservative are to be labeled liberal, so the moderators _must_ be liberal? This is exactly the attitude I talked about that is pushed by national pundit media. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-to-be-offended-by-personal-insults-for-them-to-count/546229/148 "2010-07-12T19:28:07Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > At least you’re honest. You are also now unfit to serve as a moderator, for admitted bias. I expect to see your resignation shortly. I shall never resign! Another crack like that, and I will moperate ya! 😃 ---
**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 12, 2010, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-to-be-offended-by-personal-insults-for-them-to-count/546229/149 "2010-07-12T19:29:50Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > At least you’re honest. You are also now unfit to serve as a moderator, for admitted bias. I expect to see your resignation shortly. You seem to make more than your share of demands and expectations, it seems. I don’t think having a “bias” against a poisonous atmosphere should disqualify one from moderating, btw. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-to-be-offended-by-personal-insults-for-them-to-count/546229/150 "2010-07-12T19:58:58Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > I don’t think having a “bias” against a poisonous atmosphere should disqualify one from moderating, btw. Yet you deny any liberal culpability for the poisonous atmosphere you admit exists. You’re saying conservatives are all bad, and liberals are without fault. ---
**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 12, 2010, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-to-be-offended-by-personal-insults-for-them-to-count/546229/151 "2010-07-12T20:04:58Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Yet you deny any liberal culpability for the poisonous atmosphere you admit exists. You’re saying conservatives are all bad, and liberals are without fault. It’s like you’re reading my mind! No..wait-that’s not what I’m thinking at all. Will whoever’s mind it is **Oakminster** was reading please step forward? ---
**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 12, 2010, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-to-be-offended-by-personal-insults-for-them-to-count/546229/152 "2010-07-12T20:06:56Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Yet you deny any liberal culpability for the poisonous atmosphere you admit exists. You’re saying conservatives are all bad, and liberals are without fault. “All bad”, “all good”, “totally without fault”-I don’t seem to find these terms too often in moderate to liberal posts too often. Why do you think that is? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-to-be-offended-by-personal-insults-for-them-to-count/546229/153 "2010-07-12T20:31:04Z")
It’s time to rein in this tangent. I don’t think it’s going to clear up the moderating decision or anybody’s understanding of the rules. And I have read _way_ too many Great Debates thread to believe liberals are less prone to generalizations than conservatives, or vice vera. This is not a liberal vs. conservative issue, and now that I think about it, **Oakminster** , I don’t think **Rand Rover** has ever identified himself as a conservative. People on the left tend to pigeonhole objectivists as conversatives (and I’m not sure **Rand Rover** considers himself one of those either) but strictly speaking they aren’t. In any case this didn’t influence my decision to warn **Rand Rover** - in a past thread I actually agreed with his point about taxation being backed by the threat of force, if that matters - and not warn **Wesley Clark**. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-to-be-offended-by-personal-insults-for-them-to-count/546229/154 "2010-07-12T20:47:11Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > This is not a liberal vs. conservative issue, It shouldn’t have been, but you, **Marley23** made it such when you made a bad call. You hammered a righty, and let a lefty skate, for equivalent offenses. As I have repeatedly explained, if you had not blown the call, and had just told both guys to knock it off with no warnings issued, this would not have come up. If you had warned both guys, you’d have been unduly harsh…like you were in that GQ thread I commented on…but at least you’d have been fair. You did not have to warn anybody–and really should not have. This is consistent with a pattern of behavior by the mods here on this board. Lefties can do whatever they want, Righties will get much less slack. I know you and other mods hate it when I bring this up. Too bad. I’m going to keep raising it until it gets fixed. Every time one of you screw up, I’ll be here explaining yet again what you did wrong, and how your bias is showing. There is no rule against that–unless you plan to invent the Oakminster Rule, and frankly, I don’t think you could make that one stick. Like it or not, I have earned a certain standing here. I will have my say. Within the rules. As far as reigning in the tangent–you’ll have to be more specific in what you are instructing. If you want me to stop responding to **Czarcasm** and **Fear Itself** , then say so. And also give them the same instruction. Of course, **Fear** is technically a moderator for the moment. It may not be politic for you to instruct him. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-to-be-offended-by-personal-insults-for-them-to-count/546229/155 "2010-07-12T20:53:58Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Of course, **Fear** is technically a moderator for the moment. I am not a moderator. I don’t know where you got that idea. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-to-be-offended-by-personal-insults-for-them-to-count/546229/156 "2010-07-12T21:00:12Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > I am not a moderator. I don’t know where you got that idea. Well fuck me running. You fooled me with “moperator” as your custom title thingy. And then you tried to give me a clue-by-four with the “moperator” bit in one of your posts, and I just assumed it was a typo. Double Dumbass on Oak. I fell for it hook line and sinker. In fact, this may be a contender for best (or most embarassing) whoosh of all time. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-to-be-offended-by-personal-insults-for-them-to-count/546229/157 "2010-07-12T21:09:45Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > It shouldn’t have been, but you, **Marley23** made it such when you made a bad call. Only if one insists on viewing it as a liberal vs. conservative issue, which is what you’re doing right now. I assure you I am capable of screwing things up for reasons that have nothing to do with politics. > [@](#): > > You hammered a righty, and let a lefty skate, for equivalent offenses. But they aren’t equivalent offenses. I would have been happy to treat them that way if they were. One comment led to the other for sure, which is why I told **Wesley Clark** that the post was practically begging for a hostile interpretation, but that doesn’t make them equivalent. If I see this turn into a problem in the future then I’ll deal with it differently. But it hasn’t been one in the past. This is not the first time somebody has included a jab like that in a post, and the forum hasn’t gone to hell yet. At least from what I can see. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-to-be-offended-by-personal-insults-for-them-to-count/546229/158 "2010-07-12T21:23:34Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > But they aren’t equivalent offenses. I would have been happy to treat them that way if they were. One comment led to the other for sure, which is why I told **Wesley Clark** that the post was practically begging for a hostile interpretation, but that doesn’t make them equivalent. If I see this turn into a problem in the future then I’ll deal with it differently. But it hasn’t been one in the past. This is not the first time somebody has included a jab like that in a post, and the forum hasn’t gone to hell yet. At least from what I can see. We disagree. That’s ok. Not like I wanna pillage your village and salt your fields or anything. It’s enough to at least make sure you are aware of the issue, and you know I’ll raise hell if it comes up again. So maybe you, and other mods, will at least think twice before you do something that looks unfair. And maybe some of the more militant lefties will realize righties are people too. ---
**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 12, 2010, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-to-be-offended-by-personal-insults-for-them-to-count/546229/159 "2010-07-12T21:28:06Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > We disagree. That’s ok. Not like I wanna pillage your village and salt your fields or anything. It’s enough to at least make sure you are aware of the issue, and you know I’ll raise hell if it comes up again. So maybe you, and other mods, will at least think twice before you do something that looks unfair. And maybe some of the more militant lefties will realize righties are people too. Would that be unfair to all on the right, or just the same select few and you? Personally, I’d prefer the mods rule on the merits of the situation rather than on whether or not you personally are going to be a pain in the ass on the issue every damn time. Wearing people down until they capitulate doesn’t mean that you were right to begin with. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-to-be-offended-by-personal-insults-for-them-to-count/546229/160 "2010-07-12T21:35:45Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Yet you deny any liberal culpability for the poisonous atmosphere you admit exists. You’re saying conservatives are all bad, and liberals are without fault. That’s not what he’s saying. As I understand it, he points out that American conservatives have gotten more so recently, to their own detriment (arguable, I suppose). As for liberals being without fault, who if anyone is saying that? I see that you’re _saying_ people are saying that, but who’s _actually_ saying that, and when? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-to-be-offended-by-personal-insults-for-them-to-count/546229.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-to-be-offended-by-personal-insults-for-them-to-count/546229.md?page=9)