# Does This Post Break A Rule? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [April 2, 2015, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-post-break-a-rule/716585 "2015-04-02T03:27:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-post-break-a-rule/716585/61 "2015-04-02T19:53:17Z")
Given that I’ve seen people get a mod note for indicating that someone was not particularly bright, yeah, I can see that you’d get a note for saying, outside of ATMB, that mods might be involved in shenanigans. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-post-break-a-rule/716585/62 "2015-04-02T20:54:04Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > Yep OP, you focused on mods as mods with your comment. You should have done that in this forum. > > If you want to attack a mod’s modding abilities and attack him personally, you must do half of said thread in the pit, with the other half in ATMB, using little symbols like [----\>] or [\<----]when the reader is to change from the pit thread (and the personal attacks) to the ATMB thread (and the modding attacks). Of course, spacing and footnoting are important to keep the continuity flowing and not confuse the reader as he switches forums. Hyperlinks are helpful too, as some readers have trouble following along as you change forums. A simple system really. > But then, speaking for myself, please don’t piss off the mods. Things are better now than they were in the past, and we don’t want them taking their ball and going home. Very funny- and usefull also. 😃 But yeah, OP, you crossed the line. If you had fired back just at **tomndebb** , you would have been Ok. You could even have called him a asshole. But your post _"Yeah, I’m all set with responding to mods who pose as “regular posters” yet ignore the rules and then enlist their mod buddies to pull their chestnuts out of the fire. You, Miller, and Johnathan Chance should set up a cozy little echo chamber where you can impress the hell out of each other with your progressive views. I’m not taking the bait._" was a complaint about moderation. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-post-break-a-rule/716585/63 "2015-04-02T20:56:33Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > If you had fired back just at **tomndebb** , you would have been Ok. You could even have called him a asshole. In the Pit, yes. But that thread’s in GQ, so that wouldn’t have been OK either. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-post-break-a-rule/716585/64 "2015-04-02T20:57:41Z")
> [@Grotonian](#): > > No it isn’t. It’s an accusation that **tomndebb** doesn’t follow the rules _as a poster._ . You mentioned several other mods by name. Now if you had simply said _"Tom, I am not going to engage you here as I think you also being a moderator does not make for a level playing field_" you likely would have been OK. Mods? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-post-break-a-rule/716585/65 "2015-04-02T20:58:44Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > In the Pit, yes. But that thread’s in GQ, so that wouldn’t have been OK either. Yeah, good point, right. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-post-break-a-rule/716585/66 "2015-04-02T21:34:29Z")
> [@Grotonian](#): > > The contortions you have to put my words through to find a mod complaint demonstrate how innocuous the comments were. > > Yeah, “pulling chestnuts…” is a vicious attack on the mods IF it means “maniacally abuse their fascistic mod powers,” but it’s no attack on moderating as I used it to mean they gang up as posters. > > Moreover, I don’t think every reference to moderating constitutes a “complaint” that has to be brought to ATMB. If I write, " the mods never ban the right people, anyway," it’s clear from this thread that people would freak out about how that constitutes a “complaint.” It doesn’t. It’s my opinion. It’s not a request for further discussion, or action, or resolution. > > Similarly, my comment to **tomndebb** was not introducing some new topic of conversation (a hijack) or asking for any action, clarification, or resolution; it was an explanation TO HIM of why I wasn’t discussing the topic with him. Grotonian dug a hole. Dig, Grotonian, dig. “Stop,” Tomndebb said. “Stop digging the hole.” Grotonian dug. He dug and dug. “What a deep hole,” Miller said. “What a big hole,” Tomndebb said. “Stop digging that deep and big hole,” Miller said. “Stop. Stop now.” Grotonian looked at the deep hole. Grotonian looked at the big hole. “I will dig,” Grotonian said. “I will dig deep.” “I will dig deep and big.” Spot looked at Grotonian dig the hole. “That hole is deeper than I can dig,” Spot thought. “And I’m a dog.” How deep can Grotonian dig the hole? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-post-break-a-rule/716585/67 "2015-04-02T21:47:07Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > Grotonian dug a hole. > Dig, Grotonian, dig. > “Stop,” Tomndebb said. > “Stop digging the hole.” > Grotonian dug. He dug and dug. > “What a deep hole,” Miller said. > “What a big hole,” Tomndebb said. > “Stop digging that deep and big hole,” Miller said. > “Stop. Stop now.” > Grotonian looked at the deep hole. > Grotonian looked at the big hole. > “I will dig,” Grotonian said. > “I will dig deep.” > “I will dig deep and big.” > Spot looked at Grotonian dig the hole. > “That hole is deeper than I can dig,” Spot thought. > “And I’m a dog.” > How deep can Grotonian dig the hole? Hilarious! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Ibn\_Warraq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e19b73/32.png) [@Ibn\_Warraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibn_Warraq)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-post-break-a-rule/716585/68 "2015-04-02T21:47:26Z")
> [@Grotonian](#): > > “If it’s snowing out, go to the Pit.” > “Well, it’s not snowing out, so I have a question.” > “WARNING ISSUED: IGNORING MOD INSTRUCTIONS!” > > I can’t help it if people don’t know how English works. When you’re in a hole, stop digging. Beyond that making personal attacks doesn’t engender sympathy. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-post-break-a-rule/716585/69 "2015-04-02T21:50:02Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > Grotonian dug a hole. > Dig, Grotonian, dig. > “Stop,” Tomndebb said. > “Stop digging the hole.” > Grotonian dug. He dug and dug. > “What a deep hole,” Miller said. > “What a big hole,” Tomndebb said. > “Stop digging that deep and big hole,” Miller said. > “Stop. Stop now.” > Grotonian looked at the deep hole. > Grotonian looked at the big hole. > “I will dig,” Grotonian said. > “I will dig deep.” > “I will dig deep and big.” > Spot looked at Grotonian dig the hole. > “That hole is deeper than I can dig,” Spot thought. > “And I’m a dog.” > How deep can Grotonian dig the hole? You left out the couplet where I say, “What the hell? **I’m** in this thread?” And it’s JONathan. Jeez, complain right, will you? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-post-break-a-rule/716585/70 "2015-04-02T21:50:37Z")
Hmm, one thing tho- debates here often get pretty heated. Have we recently seen two mods- _sans hats_ getting into a heated debate in a thread? 😛 I know they arent a hive-mind, their politics are different, why no debates? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Grotonian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c2a13f/32.png) [@Grotonian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grotonian)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-post-break-a-rule/716585/71 "2015-04-02T21:55:23Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > You do more than say they don’t do anything about it. You say that they HELP each other get away with breaking the rules. > > You said, paraphrased “Those people break the rules, and then their friends help them get away with it. Those people are mods and their friends are mods.” > > Being a mod is the only way they can do any of this alleged chestnut pulling. If you accused me of nefarious doings, then said that TroutMan and John Mace were pulling my chestnuts out of the fire, it would not make sense because TroutMan and John Mace do not have the power to pull anyone’s chestnuts out of the fire. No, you can ignore the rules as a poster. And your friends can come in to gang up. For example, in this thread: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=18194639#post18194639](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=18194639#post18194639) **Tomndebb** , as a poster, chooses to ignore the rules regarding personal insults: > [@](#): > > The nonsense is not his use of rthe word, but your perseveration that it bothers you. (Perseveration being a pathology caused by brain damage.) > [@](#): > > You might want to withdraw that argument before someone confuses you with Todd Starnes of Fox News. Then **Miller** came in, to a thread that was over a week old and he had no interest in until I was disagreeing with **tomndebb,** with these gems: > [@](#): > > Quote: > Originally Posted by Grotonian View Post > By the by, I’m not the least bit upset by “diversity,” either as a word or a concept. > > > [@](#): > > > > You have a strange way of showing it. > > Quote: > Now that the Muslims have their holidays, shouldn’t we all be working toward more important things for the NYC schools, such as getting the gays, Mexicans, and communists their own days? > > > [@](#): > > > > A really strange way. > [@](#): > > That’s alright. I found a random word generator online that makes about as much sense as you are right now. Hey, random word generator! What do you think about giving school days off for Muslim holidays? What’s that? “Haystack satan album ink gallows gallery mouse garden”? Well said, random word generator! Well said indeed! These are mods choosing to ignore the rules as posters regarding personal attacks, insults, and jerkish behavior. Neither is acting in any moderator capacity. Furthermore, your contention that “pulling chestnuts…” implies some authority or power demonstrates ignorance of Aesop’s fable, “The Monkey and the Cat.” The cat’s paw, the one who pulls the chestnuts, is _ **subordinate** _ to the monkey, and acts as his dupe. Exactly the role **Miller** carved out for himself in the above thread. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-post-break-a-rule/716585/72 "2015-04-02T22:08:26Z")
> [@Grotonian](#): > > (Perseveration being a pathology caused by brain damage.) To perseverate is to go on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on. And on. And on. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-post-break-a-rule/716585/73 "2015-04-02T22:11:19Z")
> [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > You left out the couplet where I say, “What the hell? **I’m** in this thread?” You’re in this thread? I didn’t hear you. Maybe you should have cleared your throat. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-post-break-a-rule/716585/74 "2015-04-02T22:12:04Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Hmm, one thing tho- debates here often get pretty heated. Have we recently seen two mods- _sans hats_ getting into a heated debate in a thread? 😛 I know they arent a hive-mind, their politics are different, why no debates? 😕 Any problems we have with each other is hammered out at our monthly ice cream social/Fight Club. Cecil is the referee. I’d tell you about it…but ya know. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-post-break-a-rule/716585/75 "2015-04-02T22:21:00Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Any problems we have with each other is hammered out at our monthly ice cream social/Fight Club. Cecil is the referee. I’d tell you about it…but ya know. BS, you’ll just shine each other’s jackboots. I’ve seen the videos. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-post-break-a-rule/716585/76 "2015-04-02T22:25:30Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Any problems we have with each other is hammered out at our monthly ice cream social/Fight Club. Cecil is the referee. I’d tell you about it…but ya know. Ice cream fight? Cool.😛 I can just see the debates now “Look you commie doodie-head!” throws Fudge Ripple. “Take this you capitalist booger-brain!” tosses Rainbow Sherbet. Meanwhile Cecil is talking with Kenneth Robeson & Carolyn Keene. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-post-break-a-rule/716585/77 "2015-04-02T22:27:49Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > BS, you’ll just shine each other’s jackboots. I’ve seen the videos. I’m starting to feel like Asimovian owes me an explanation. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2015, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-post-break-a-rule/716585/78 "2015-04-03T00:36:53Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > I’m starting to feel like Asimovian owes me an explanation. No. No, I don’t believe I do. ---
**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:** [April 3, 2015, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-post-break-a-rule/716585/79 "2015-04-03T00:56:30Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Hmm, one thing tho- debates here often get pretty heated. Have we recently seen two mods- _sans hats_ getting into a heated debate in a thread? 😛 I know they arent a hive-mind, their politics are different, why no debates? 😕 I’ve clashed with **tom** a couple times over the moral implications of opposition to SSM. I don’t know that I’d characterize them as “heated,” though. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2015, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-post-break-a-rule/716585/80 "2015-04-03T01:14:20Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > BS, you’ll just shine each other’s jackboots. I’ve seen the videos. > [@jsgoddess](#): > > I’m starting to feel like Asimovian owes me an explanation. > [@Asimovian](#): > > No. No, I don’t believe I do. When made a mod(sounds like the mafia eh?), we get very specific standard responses we should make. He just pulled that one out of our playbook. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-post-break-a-rule/716585.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-post-break-a-rule/716585.md?page=5)