# Don't dare ask a moderator what "political" means **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 2, 2005, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-dare-ask-a-moderator-what-political-means/288058 "2005-02-02T22:15:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2005, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-dare-ask-a-moderator-what-political-means/288058/161 "2005-02-09T15:39:40Z")
> [@Crandolph](#): > > I see that 16 of your last 25 posts are in the Pit, and quite a few of them one-liners. I’ve been in a joking mood lately. > [@LordVor](#): > > **Crandolph** , it is possible, nay, it is **desireable** to respond to more then one person in a single post of yours. I’ve been trying to get that point across but it doesn’t seem to be working. ---
**Author:** ![Crandolph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7cd45c/32.png) [@Crandolph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crandolph)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2005, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-dare-ask-a-moderator-what-political-means/288058/162 "2005-02-09T18:49:29Z")
> [@Case Sensitive](#): > > I’ll repeat my earlier question: what do you _want_ from this thread, **Crandolph**? But I won’t repeat my earlier answer: see post #151. ---
**Author:** ![Ponder\_Stibbons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponder_stibbons/32/343_2.png) [@Ponder\_Stibbons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponder_Stibbons)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2005, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-dare-ask-a-moderator-what-political-means/288058/163 "2005-02-09T18:57:00Z")
Well, this thread started out interesting but has really gotten boring. **Crandolph** , will you either flame out or shut up already? Face it, no one’s going to answer your questions because no one has any clue what it is you’re after. And you know, sometimes in life you just have to let the little shit go. Accept you’re not going to get the answers you want. ---
**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:** [February 9, 2005, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-dare-ask-a-moderator-what-political-means/288058/164 "2005-02-09T19:35:57Z")
> [@Crandolph](#): > > It was you who specifically asked me to attempt to illustrate what I was saying with examples, I said I would when I had time and I did. Now you’re _complaining_ that I did?! Oh, I wouldn’t call what I’m doing “complaining”. “Ridiculing” is much more accurate. Upon your return to this thread (which would have sunk into oblivion otherwise, more on this presently), your _fourth_ message contained your examples, while the first three were mostly whining about how you’ve been treated. As a result, this thread’s stated purpose (something about the bias of the moderators when it comes to what “political” means) has become secondary to your endless complaints about your treatment on this board. As for the thread’s resurrection at your hands, I feel I should point something out. In a lasting debate thread, typically something like this occurs: OP: Premise. Respondant 1: I agree. Respondant 2: I disagree. R1: Why do you disagree? R2: I’ll explain, and why do you agree? At this point, R1 and R2 can keep the thread alive with their side argument, whether or not the OP posts again. In the case of _this_ thread, however, if _you_ stop posting, _everyone_ stops posting because we’re not debating anything among ourselves. This issue does not inspire debate among us. However, the manner in which you raised the issue and attempt to sustain it invites ridicule and correction. You have not proven the merits of your argument. You have not gotten one person to come to your defense (as far as I can tell). There is no “R1” in this thread. Why do you persist? A case of self-righteousness sliding into masochism? > [@](#): > > Invective without anything else to add is. Invective can be entertaining. If you wish to post in a place where invective is forbidden, lest anyone’s feelings be hurt, I’ve no doubt there are message boards that will suit you better. Try [boards.thumbsuck.com](http://boards.thumbsuck.com). ---
**Author:** ![Rufus\_Xavier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@Rufus\_Xavier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rufus_Xavier)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2005, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-dare-ask-a-moderator-what-political-means/288058/165 "2005-02-09T20:02:31Z")
> [@Crandolph](#): > > One moderator has supplied his explanation for his judgement calls over the course of about 5 posts. I’ve had some constructive give and take with him, and that’s what I originally looking for, a moderator who would discuss that. The rest of this thread has been people spewing abuse for me asking questions, and me responding to that abuse. In other words, you have gotten what you were originally looking for. > [@Bryan Ekers](#): > > In the case of this thread, however, if you stop posting, everyone stops posting because we’re not debating anything among ourselves. I think, in the case of this thread, if everyone else stops posting to it, **Crandolph** will too. He’s already stated that the only reason he has continued to post here is to respond to others’ posts. ---
**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:** [February 9, 2005, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-dare-ask-a-moderator-what-political-means/288058/166 "2005-02-09T20:45:05Z")
> [@Rufus Xavier](#): > > I think, in the case of this thread, if everyone else stops posting to it, **Crandolph** will too. He’s already stated that the only reason he has continued to post here is to respond to others’ posts. Oh, I don’t know about that. We had stopped for three days when Cranny came back and… hey, wait a sec! You’re trying to _debate_ me, aren’t you?! You bastard. ---
**Author:** ![Rufus\_Xavier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@Rufus\_Xavier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rufus_Xavier)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2005, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-dare-ask-a-moderator-what-political-means/288058/167 "2005-02-09T21:02:01Z")
> [@Bryan Ekers](#): > > Oh, I don’t know about that. We had stopped for three days when Cranny came back and… hey, wait a sec! You’re trying to _debate_ me, aren’t you?! > > You bastard. Sure. While we’re at it, how do you feel about Depleted Uranium-tipped weapons? ---
**Author:** ![J8099](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c89c15/32.png) [@J8099](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/J8099)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2005, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-dare-ask-a-moderator-what-political-means/288058/168 "2005-02-09T21:58:01Z")
> [@Crandolph](#): > > I see that 16 of your last 25 posts are in the Pit, and quite a few of them one-liners. If that’s at all reflective of what you do here, you must have something like 6,800 of these puppies posted lifetime. Why the hell does it matter where this person posted, and how many posts s/he made? Crandolph, you really just need to let this go. ---
**Author:** ![J8099](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c89c15/32.png) [@J8099](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/J8099)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2005, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-dare-ask-a-moderator-what-political-means/288058/169 "2005-02-09T22:03:52Z")
> [@Bryan Ekers](#): > > Why do you persist? A case of self-righteousness sliding into masochism? I think you hit the nail on the head. ---
**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:** [February 9, 2005, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-dare-ask-a-moderator-what-political-means/288058/170 "2005-02-09T22:26:48Z")
> [@Rufus Xavier](#): > > Sure. While we’re at it, how do you feel about Depleted Uranium-tipped weapons? Tastes great, less filling. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2005, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-dare-ask-a-moderator-what-political-means/288058/171 "2005-02-09T22:41:37Z")
You got DU in my peanut butter. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2005, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-dare-ask-a-moderator-what-political-means/288058/172 "2005-02-09T22:41:42Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > Tastes great, less filling. That’s funny, coming from someone called **Miller**. ---
**Author:** ![Crandolph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7cd45c/32.png) [@Crandolph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crandolph)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2005, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-dare-ask-a-moderator-what-political-means/288058/173 "2005-02-09T23:42:05Z")
> [@Rufus Xavier](#): > > In other words, you have gotten what you were originally looking for. > > I think, in the case of this thread, if everyone else stops posting to it, **Crandolph** will too. He’s already stated that the only reason he has continued to post here is to respond to others’ posts. At this point yes to #1 as far as it appears I can around here, and certainly yes to #2. At least you “get” it, **Rufus**. Thanks for that much. This is my last post to this thread. All of you that turned what _could have been_ a 10-15 post thread in which someone who wanted to address my questions addresses them into a 4-pager can have your little playspace now. It’s your thread. Enjoy it. In fact, it’s your Pit, enjoy your thousands of meaningless insulting posts and all that wasted time in your little lives. This is the only time in my life I’ve ever bothered to post in a forum where people exist to hold and watch flame wars. You people need to get out more. If you have _ **thousands** _ of posts in something called a “Pit” you really need to seek help. Seriously. The SDMB really needs to have a forum for discussing moderation issues outside of a place where people call each other assholes at the drop of a hat. Since many of you appear to enjoy being sycophants and piling on people who question moderation this probably eases the mod job by people giving up in frustration instead of getting concerns addressed seriously. So I don’t know that that’ll happen. Oh, I also saw that post in this thread in which a member on here suggested that **TubaDiva** quote-unquote “got in trouble” for her mod attitude before. That disappeared pretty quickly. So I’m not the only one who had a problem that way, eh? I’m going to continue posting to and reading the more fact-based threads on these boards, which is all I’d been doing here for several months. In that time I don’t recall a single one of you who have been moaning about what an awful poster I am contributing to threads I’ve been involved in in any meaningful way. I suppose that’s because posting in those other areas would require either knowledge or research, instead of flaming. Keep this up and you can be Lords of the SDMB (which will get you how far in the flesh and blood world exactly?), but you’ll drive all of the people with differing perspectives out. And your boards will suffer. I’m leaving the Pit now, permanently unless a thread of mine gets sent here again. Don’t fuck with me on the other parts of the boards, OK? You claim your first rule is “don’t be a jerk.” ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2005, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-dare-ask-a-moderator-what-political-means/288058/174 "2005-02-09T23:56:31Z")
> [@Crandolph](#): > > In fact, it’s your Pit, enjoy your thousands of meaningless insulting posts and all that wasted time in your little lives. This is the only time in my life I’ve ever bothered to post in a forum where people exist to hold and watch flame wars. You people need to get out more. If you have **thousands** of posts in something called a “Pit” you really need to seek help. Seriously. > > The SDMB really needs to have a forum for discussing moderation issues outside of a place where people call each other assholes at the drop of a hat. Since many of you appear to enjoy being sycophants and piling on people who question moderation this probably eases the mod job by people giving up in frustration instead of getting concerns addressed seriously. So I don’t know that that’ll happen. > > Keep this up and you can be Lords of the SDMB (which will get you how far in the flesh and blood world exactly?), but you’ll drive all of the people with differing perspectives out. And your boards will suffer. > > I’m leaving the Pit now, permanently unless a thread of mine gets sent here again. Don’t fuck with me on the other parts of the boards, OK? You claim your first rule is “don’t be a jerk.” You just don’t get it, do you? I would try to explain but you’ve obvoiusly made up your mind about it and even if you didn’t, you’ve shown that you won’t listen to anyone who doesn’t have “Moderator” or “Administrator” under their name. ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2005, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-dare-ask-a-moderator-what-political-means/288058/175 "2005-02-10T00:07:41Z")
> [@Crandolph](#): > > Keep this up and you can be Lords of the SDMB (which will get you how far in the flesh and blood world exactly?), but you’ll drive all of the people with differing perspectives out. And your boards will suffer. > > I’m leaving the Pit now, permanently unless a thread of mine gets sent here again. Don’t fuck with me on the other parts of the boards, OK? You claim your first rule is “don’t be a jerk.” I’ll miss him. Sure, a lot of people thought he was nothing but a good-looking rebel with something to prove, but I thought I caught a glimpse of an inner tenderness beneath his gruff exterior. I don’t know if it was the way he nursed that fuzzy baby duckling back to health, or the faraway look in his eyes whenever anyone mentioned Delaware, but I felt like he had a real depth to him. “Grrraaaarrr!” he would say, even when it was obvious all he was thinking was “rrraaarrrggh?” Good bye, Bigfoot! We’ll miss you! ---
**Author:** ![Eutychus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Eutychus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eutychus)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2005, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-dare-ask-a-moderator-what-political-means/288058/176 "2005-02-10T00:19:01Z")
> [@Crandolph](#): > > Keep this up and you can be Lords of the SDMB Can’t I be Queen instead? That would just be _fabulous!_ ---
**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:** [February 10, 2005, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-dare-ask-a-moderator-what-political-means/288058/177 "2005-02-10T00:34:23Z")
> [@Rufus Xavier](#): > > Sure. While we’re at it, how do you feel about Depleted Uranium-tipped weapons? Well, like land mines, it’s a classic trade-off between short-term battlefield tactics and long-term post-war damage. A quick check for online studies on the effects of DU finds that many of them start with preconceptions. Tricky business. Frankly, I’m kind of curious if there will ever be advancements in ceramic armor that might make tanks even tougher, requiring something even more lethal than DU. ---
**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:** [February 10, 2005, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-dare-ask-a-moderator-what-political-means/288058/178 "2005-02-10T01:11:57Z")
> [@Lute Skywatcher](#): > > That’s funny, coming from someone called **Miller**. Heh, I’d honestly forgotten where that came from. ---
**Author:** ![Rufus\_Xavier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@Rufus\_Xavier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rufus_Xavier)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2005, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-dare-ask-a-moderator-what-political-means/288058/179 "2005-02-10T01:48:41Z")
> [@Bryan Ekers](#): > > Well, like land mines, it’s a classic trade-off between short-term battlefield tactics and long-term post-war damage. A quick check for online studies on the effects of DU finds that many of them start with preconceptions. Tricky business. Frankly, I’m kind of curious if there will ever be advancements in ceramic armor that might make tanks even tougher, requiring something even more lethal than DU. I guess I’m Respondant 1: I agree. By the way, “the Jesus Christ of dumb-assery” is one of my new favorite lines. Nice work. Oh, no! I’m one of those sycophants so many of us enjoy being! ---
**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:** [February 10, 2005, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-dare-ask-a-moderator-what-political-means/288058/180 "2005-02-10T02:25:42Z")
> [@Rufus Xavier](#): > > By the way, “the Jesus Christ of dumb-assery” is one of my new favorite lines. Nice work Thanks, though I’m prouder of my Post #5 in [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=282484), which is also a pitting-gone-wrong, though the now-banned OP was much more deserving of ire. Rereading the entire thread, though, makes me feel a little guilty about all the criticism I’ve heaped on **Liberal** in recent weeks. I’ll back off in that regard. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-dare-ask-a-moderator-what-political-means/288058.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-dare-ask-a-moderator-what-political-means/288058.md?page=10)