# Ed\_Zotti appears to be back on the staff **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [July 22, 2020, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ed-zotti-appears-to-be-back-on-the-staff/915965 "2020-07-22T00:16:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2020, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ed-zotti-appears-to-be-back-on-the-staff/915965/1 "2020-07-22T00:16:32Z")
It appears that Ed\_Zotti has been reinstated as [a staff member](https://boards.straightdope.com/g/moderators) and has [Trust Level of leader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ed_zotti/summary) which is also held by a [few silent Administrators](https://boards.straightdope.com/g/Administrators). What should we know about this? ---
**Author:** ![mikecurtis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikecurtis/32/3284_2.png) [@mikecurtis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikecurtis)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2020, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ed-zotti-appears-to-be-back-on-the-staff/915965/2 "2020-07-22T00:24:38Z")
Probably something to do with this. > [@The TubaDiva Memorial Tuba Fund campaign is now underway](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tubadiva-memorial-tuba-fund-campaign-is-now-underway/915233): > > The TubaDiva Memorial Tuba Fund is now accepting donations. Our goal is to raise enough money to purchase a tuba for an Atlanta-area high school band department as a memorial to the late Jenny “TubaDiva” Paradis, longtime administrator of the Straight Dope Message Board. Here’s the link: [TubaDiva Memorial Tuba Fund](https://www.gofundme.com/f/tubadiva-memorial-musical-instrument-fund?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1) Here’s Jenny’s obituary, published by the Chicago Sun-Times, owner of the Straight Dope: [Jennifer Paradis, who ran Straight Dope Message Board for over 20 years, has died at 65](https://chicago.suntimes.com/2020/7/10/21320447/jennifer-paradis-straight-dope-message-board-tuba-obituary?fbclid=IwAR2ZFi5wKTNRq1XDPtqBrwSIElBV5cWGxLz4X3GVwiHilOK6O1xjKCEenjE) P… ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2020, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ed-zotti-appears-to-be-back-on-the-staff/915965/3 "2020-07-22T00:40:25Z")
Maybe but many others have asked for help with various charitable causes without elevation to Staff. It seems distantly unlikely that anyone that may have felt a need to give to this fund wouldn’t recognize Ed’s name. In other words, it makes sense that Ed would organize this fund raiser and it also makes sense that he wouldn’t need to be unretired. ---
**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:** [July 22, 2020, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ed-zotti-appears-to-be-back-on-the-staff/915965/4 "2020-07-22T00:47:25Z")
Christ, give us a break. Ed’s pinch hitting as admin while the powers-that-be figure out next steps. We’re lucky he’s willing to do it. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2020, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ed-zotti-appears-to-be-back-on-the-staff/915965/5 "2020-07-22T01:23:57Z")
I don’t disagree and I’m not trying to deny anyone’s break, we’d just appreciate a notification. This is the sort of thing that, I think, should warrant an Announcement. I doubt I’m alone in that I don’t care for these quiet, secretive moves and I don’t think a request for an explanation is unreasonable. ---
**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:** [July 22, 2020, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ed-zotti-appears-to-be-back-on-the-staff/915965/6 "2020-07-22T01:28:56Z")
Look, I apologize. I shouldn’t have snapped at you. But I don’t think it’s occurred to anyone - I won’t speak for Ed - that such is necessary. We’re busy in put the pieces back together mode, here. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2020, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ed-zotti-appears-to-be-back-on-the-staff/915965/7 "2020-07-22T01:33:49Z")
> [@jnglmassiv](#): > > I don’t disagree and I’m not trying to deny anyone’s break, we’d just appreciate a notification. This is the sort of thing that, I think, should warrant an Announcement. I doubt I’m alone in that I don’t care for these quiet, secretive moves and I don’t think a request for an explanation is unreasonable. This is a area of entitlement I would never have expected…sheesh. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2020, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ed-zotti-appears-to-be-back-on-the-staff/915965/8 "2020-07-22T02:20:19Z")
I’m just so happy the behind the scenes work is being done. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2020, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ed-zotti-appears-to-be-back-on-the-staff/915965/9 "2020-07-22T02:24:34Z")
> [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > Christ, give us a break. Ed’s pinch hitting as admin while the powers-that-be figure out next steps. We’re lucky he’s willing to do it. Please let him know we appreciate him stepping up to assist. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2020, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ed-zotti-appears-to-be-back-on-the-staff/915965/10 "2020-07-22T02:34:44Z")
It would also be cool if he understood how much we’d welcome him joining us as a posting regular, if he ever felt so inclined. I understand if he doesn’t. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2020, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ed-zotti-appears-to-be-back-on-the-staff/915965/11 "2020-07-22T02:55:30Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Please let him know we appreciate him stepping up to assist. And Cecil too… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2020, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ed-zotti-appears-to-be-back-on-the-staff/915965/12 "2020-07-22T02:55:37Z")
Class act, as we all know. No surprise he stepped back in during a period of pain and duress. Thanks again, L’il Ed. Slug oughta do a tuba player with a halo. Dammit. This is sad. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2020, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ed-zotti-appears-to-be-back-on-the-staff/915965/13 "2020-07-22T13:37:11Z")
> [@jnglmassiv](#): > > I doubt I’m alone in that I don’t care for these quiet, secretive moves and I don’t think a request for an explanation is unreasonable. Doubt no longer. I cannot conceive of a scenario in which it matters a tiny whit how Ed was elevated to Admin. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2020, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ed-zotti-appears-to-be-back-on-the-staff/915965/14 "2020-07-22T13:55:01Z")
> [@jnglmassiv](#): > > I don’t disagree and I’m not trying to deny anyone’s break, we’d just appreciate a notification. This is the sort of thing that, I think, should warrant an Announcement. I doubt I’m alone in that I don’t care for these quiet, secretive moves and I don’t think a request for an explanation is unreasonable. I can assure you that you’re completely alone. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2020, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ed-zotti-appears-to-be-back-on-the-staff/915965/15 "2020-07-22T13:59:12Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > Doubt no longer. I cannot conceive of a scenario in which it matters a tiny whit how Ed was elevated to Admin. > [@hajario](#): > > I can assure you that you’re completely alone. This. Holy cow. I can’t even… 😲 ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2020, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ed-zotti-appears-to-be-back-on-the-staff/915965/16 "2020-07-22T13:59:45Z")
> [@jnglmassiv](#): > > I don’t disagree and I’m not trying to deny anyone’s break, we’d just appreciate a notification. This is the sort of thing that, I think, should warrant an Announcement. I doubt I’m alone in that I don’t care for these quiet, secretive moves and I don’t think a request for an explanation is unreasonable. Given that the board’s only administrator passed away within the past several weeks, is it any surprise that they’ve turned to the person who served in that role prior to her? What exactly needs to be explained? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2020, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ed-zotti-appears-to-be-back-on-the-staff/915965/17 "2020-07-22T14:03:36Z")
> [@jnglmassiv](#): > > . I doubt I’m alone in that I don’t care for these quiet, secretive moves and I don’t think a request for an explanation is unreasonable. Yeah… I think you’re in an Army of One situation here. Don’t confuse a desperate scramble borne of necessity with quiet secrecy. You understand that the mods lost a friend, right? That they’re a distinct community even within the sdmb? ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2020, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ed-zotti-appears-to-be-back-on-the-staff/915965/18 "2020-07-22T14:07:13Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > I cannot conceive of a scenario in which it matters a tiny whit how Ed was elevated to Admin. I just thought of one. Maybe **jngl** here was sending PMs back and forth with Ed, snickering about the board’s moderation, and now he’s embarrassed that Ed is actually part of that moderation. It’s like cutting off a guy in traffic on the way to an interview, and it turns out that guy was going to be your boss. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2020, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ed-zotti-appears-to-be-back-on-the-staff/915965/19 "2020-07-22T14:22:13Z")
Thank you Ed, for helping out the Straight Dope Message Board in its time of need. > [@Munch](#): > > It’s like cutting off a guy in traffic on the way to an interview, and it turns out that guy was going to be your boss. That sounds oddly specific, did you do this? 😀 ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2020, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ed-zotti-appears-to-be-back-on-the-staff/915965/20 "2020-07-22T14:23:58Z")
LOTS of overthinking here. Are y’all really THAT bored? 🤯 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ed-zotti-appears-to-be-back-on-the-staff/915965.md?page=2)