# Dr Matrix why did you close my thread ?? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [June 24, 2003, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-matrix-why-did-you-close-my-thread/184053 "2003-06-24T15:47:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Tarantula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e274bd/32.png) [@Tarantula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tarantula)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-matrix-why-did-you-close-my-thread/184053/1 "2003-06-24T15:47:14Z")
cf. [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=193066](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=193066) Where are we Germany in 1939 ??? ☹ ☹ ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Tarantula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e274bd/32.png) [@Tarantula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tarantula)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-matrix-why-did-you-close-my-thread/184053/2 "2003-06-24T15:49:16Z")
If I was really trying to steal a bike, would I really be that obvious as to read the make / type on the lock ??? I need to know… ---
**Author:** ![TheLoadedDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@TheLoadedDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheLoadedDog)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-matrix-why-did-you-close-my-thread/184053/3 "2003-06-24T15:55:16Z")
**Dr Matrix** closed your thread _because he can_. Moderators have to make judgement calls, and it’s not always an easy task. In this case, I would have called it the same. Oh and BTW, the “Germany 1939” bit normally comes a few posts later… ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-matrix-why-did-you-close-my-thread/184053/4 "2003-06-24T15:55:24Z")
1. Questions of this nature belong in the Pit, per the forum descripions. 2. Threads which contain, or can potentially contain, information which can be used for an illegal purpose are almost always locked and/or deleted. 3. No one is accusing you of attempting to steal anything. Fact is, no one knows what your motives are other than what you have stated. That said, theives can be incredibly brazen when it comes to acquiring information needed to commit a crime. Hopefully, you can understand it was nothing personal. ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-matrix-why-did-you-close-my-thread/184053/5 "2003-06-24T15:56:58Z")
I’m guessing it was closed because they do not permit threads that ask people how to break the law, even if it’s implied. Picking a lock might be construed as an illegal activity, and there is no way for anyone to be sure. So they err on the side of caution. You could have just emailed the good doctor to ask him, though. I think they prefer that. ---
**Author:** ![Tarantula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e274bd/32.png) [@Tarantula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tarantula)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-matrix-why-did-you-close-my-thread/184053/6 "2003-06-24T15:57:33Z")
Don’t worry - it’s in the pit now… ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Griffin-Kentzel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_griffin-kentzel/32/14787_2.png) [@Larry\_Griffin-Kentzel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Griffin-Kentzel)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-matrix-why-did-you-close-my-thread/184053/7 "2003-06-24T17:16:02Z")
Good . . . this is closed. * * * **Cajun Man** ~ SDMB Moderator