# Ellis Dee suspension - Over reaction **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 3, 2006, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ellis-dee-suspension-over-reaction/338252 "2006-01-03T18:18:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2006, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ellis-dee-suspension-over-reaction/338252/1 "2006-01-03T18:18:04Z")
For what it’s worth, I think the [suspending](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=352292) of **Ellis Dee** is a bit over the top. The Pit is where we can complain about board moderation, right? Now, some complaints are going to look a bit more civil than others, especialy considering the use of insults. Sure, the word he used ( cunt )was a pretty harsh one. But it raises a question: How harsh can we go? Was it because he directed it at a Mod? I’ve seen 72 pt red bolded uses of the word before, used against a mere Doper mind you, not a mod, that didn’t result in a suspension. Is it because of it being a word used to describe a body opening? Than no more assholes either, huh? Shouldn’t the Mods and Admins be able to take the occasional flame? Yeah, a pattern of abusive speech towards one particular Mod would be cause for concern, but it looks to me like **Ellis** just got mad. Shucks, he even aplogised. I would like to keep this discussion civil. All comments by Dopers, Mods, and Admins are welcome. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2006, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ellis-dee-suspension-over-reaction/338252/2 "2006-01-03T18:28:29Z")
WAG: He said worse in email to the mods/admins? If not, I too am puzzled. ---
**Author:** ![Excalibre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@Excalibre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Excalibre)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2006, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ellis-dee-suspension-over-reaction/338252/3 "2006-01-03T18:31:53Z")
I just think some clarification is in order. I still don’t quite understand why we can flame here, and why we can complain about the mods here, but we can’t flame the mods. Is there a specific rule against insulting staff? That should be made more explicit. ---
**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:** [January 3, 2006, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ellis-dee-suspension-over-reaction/338252/4 "2006-01-03T18:39:33Z")
From the ATMB thead: > [@TubaDiva](#): > > It’s never a good idea to refer to anyone who works for this board as a “cunt.” Or any of the other Anglo-Saxon words people like to throw around when describing others. What? Curse a mod in the pit? Why, I’ve never heard of such a thing!! In case you missed that, **TubaDiva** , that was sarcasm. If you want to make a _new_ rule wherein no one is allowed to insult mods using swear-words, by all means do so. But don’t make up the rule on the spot and suspend someone for transgressing the unknown (and unknowable) extra super secret new rule. ---
**Author:** ![davenportavenger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f8ce5/32.png) [@davenportavenger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davenportavenger)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2006, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ellis-dee-suspension-over-reaction/338252/5 "2006-01-03T18:46:04Z")
> [@Excalibre](#): > > I still don’t quite understand why we can flame here, and why we can complain about the mods here, but we can’t flame the mods. The mods, unlike the bulk of members, are all wonderful people who are always looking out for everyone’s best interests. Insulting them weakens our community as a whole by subverting the carefully instituted hierarchical structure. Being nice to the mods is good for our community because it reinforces our structure and makes us all the more happy to be in the presence of these Truly Wonderful People. And if you still don’t get it, maybe you need a stay in time out. ---
**Author:** ![Askia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Askia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askia)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2006, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ellis-dee-suspension-over-reaction/338252/6 "2006-01-03T18:47:50Z")
A banning would be an overreaction. A 30-day “time out” for unjustified namecalling abuse to the third-party moderators seems reasonable. I couldn’t just let this go if if I were in the mod’s/admin’s place. Sorry, **Ellis.** I calls 'em like I sees 'em. **pizzabrat** did not call you a racist, he called your post “a perfect example of typical oblivious racism”, that your observation was “100% bullshit rationalization,” that “you insulted my intelligence” suggesting that “white celebrations are more genuine.” But… **pizzabrat** probably had a toe over the line in his response, whereas you put your whole foot your. Cool off, you got a suspension. You get a vacation. Not the worse thing in the world. ---
**Author:** ![Excalibre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@Excalibre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Excalibre)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2006, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ellis-dee-suspension-over-reaction/338252/7 "2006-01-03T18:50:09Z")
> [@davenportavenger](#): > > The mods, unlike the bulk of members, are all wonderful people who are always looking out for everyone’s best interests. Insulting them weakens our community as a whole by subverting the carefully instituted hierarchical structure. Being nice to the mods is good for our community because it reinforces our structure and makes us all the more happy to be in the presence of these Truly Wonderful People. And if you still don’t get it, maybe you need a stay in time out. Actually, I don’t see why we _should_ expect to be able to insult the mods without getting in trouble. Strictly from a pragmatic standpoint, you don’t piss off the folks in charge. But since the rules around this place seem to basically be based upon precedent, I think the precedent should at least be clear. ---
**Author:** ![JohnBckWLD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d6d6ee/32.png) [@JohnBckWLD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnBckWLD)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2006, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ellis-dee-suspension-over-reaction/338252/8 "2006-01-03T19:03:01Z")
The Auxiliary Police, unlike the bulk of citizenry, are all wonderful people who are always looking out for everyone’s best interests. Insulting them weakens our community as a whole by subverting the carefully instituted hierarchical structure. Being nice to volunteer peace officers is good for our community because it reinforces our structure and makes us all the more happy to be in the presence of these Truly Wonderful People. And if you still don’t get it, maybe you need to stop judging people as individuals and hop aboard to good ship lollipop. ---
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2006, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ellis-dee-suspension-over-reaction/338252/9 "2006-01-03T19:17:17Z")
> [@Excalibre](#): > > Actually, I don’t see why we _should_ expect to be able to insult the mods without getting in trouble. Strictly from a pragmatic standpoint, you don’t piss off the folks in charge. But since the rules around this place seem to basically be based upon precedent, I think the precedent should at least be clear. I think you’ve been whooshed, my friend. Adam ---
**Author:** ![Excalibre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@Excalibre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Excalibre)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2006, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ellis-dee-suspension-over-reaction/338252/10 "2006-01-03T19:18:24Z")
> [@Agent Foxtrot](#): > > I think you’ve been whooshed, my friend. > > Adam I don’t see why you think that. ---
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2006, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ellis-dee-suspension-over-reaction/338252/11 "2006-01-03T19:20:43Z")
> [@Excalibre](#): > > I don’t see why you think that. Was your post that I quoted serious? Because **davenportavenger** ’s wasn’t. Adam ---
**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:** [January 3, 2006, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ellis-dee-suspension-over-reaction/338252/12 "2006-01-03T19:29:12Z")
> [@Agent Foxtrot](#): > > Was your post that I quoted serious? Because **davenportavenger** ’s wasn’t. > > Adam Pssst. Just because someone posts a serious reply to a sarcastic post doesn’t mean they didn’t get it. **davenportavenger** posted a tongue-in-cheek statement that seemed to imply that the mods shouldn’t be insulted, but in fact said just the opposite. **Excalibre** replied, in a serious, straightforward fashion, that in fact the mods deserve some respect. No whooshing involved. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2006, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ellis-dee-suspension-over-reaction/338252/13 "2006-01-03T19:35:12Z")
Crap, he _apologized_ for the post. All on his own and shit. This suspension is bogus. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2006, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ellis-dee-suspension-over-reaction/338252/14 "2006-01-03T19:36:28Z")
There is a difference between getting into a heated argument with someone and screaming at the K-Mart clerk because they won’t give you credit for a return. If a person is just doing their job, they should not be set upon as personal enemies. That said, while I can’t think of specific instances, this sort of thing (insulting a mod over mod decisions) seems like something I’ve seen in the pit again and again. Maybe the new suspension option is being used where stern warnings (last warnings) were used before. Obviously a banning over this would be ridiculous and deserving of complaints, but a suspension has a lower bar of annoying behavior. ---
**Author:** ![Homebrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Homebrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homebrew)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2006, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ellis-dee-suspension-over-reaction/338252/15 "2006-01-03T19:51:39Z")
It seems to me that **Ellis Dee** was getting increasingly agitated and was likely to soon step over the line. By suspending him, the mods give him a chance to cool down before he goes too far. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2006, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ellis-dee-suspension-over-reaction/338252/16 "2006-01-03T19:53:50Z")
> [@Homebrew](#): > > It seems to me that **Ellis Dee** was getting increasingly agitated and was likely to soon step over the line. By suspending him, the mods give him a chance to cool down before he goes too far. Pre-crime! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![CynicalGabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@CynicalGabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CynicalGabe)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2006, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ellis-dee-suspension-over-reaction/338252/17 "2006-01-03T19:54:59Z")
> [@Ponder Stibbons](#): > > If you want to make a _new_ rule wherein no one is allowed to insult mods using swear-words, by all means do so. But don’t make up the rule on the spot and suspend someone for transgressing the unknown (and unknowable) extra super secret new rule. Maybe **Ellis Dee** had been on Double Secret Probation… ---
**Author:** ![Enginerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bcef8e/32.png) [@Enginerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enginerd)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2006, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ellis-dee-suspension-over-reaction/338252/18 "2006-01-03T20:01:55Z")
The suspension is bullshit. One thing we always hear the mods harp on is that their positions are unpaid, and they deserve some slack for their seldom-admitted (and even more seldom apologized-for) mistakes. That works both ways - Ellis immediately acknowledged and apologized for his overreaction in that thread after being suitably chastised by **tomndeb**. Where’s his slack? It’s the worst fucking month to suspend him, too. He’s always got insightful commentary on the NFL, and now we’ll all miss out on it the entire postseason because someone got their panties in a bunch about being insulted. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2006, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ellis-dee-suspension-over-reaction/338252/19 "2006-01-03T20:07:03Z")
> [@Homebrew](#): > > It seems to me that **Ellis Dee** was getting increasingly agitated and was likely to soon step over the line. By suspending him, the mods give him a chance to cool down before he goes too far. This was his last post in the thread. Not exactly foam-flecked. > [@](#): > > Is snarky the new civil? (I’ll give you fairly.) > > On the other points, uh, crap. I see your point. > > _sigh_ > > One thing that strikes me as funny is how wildly perception fluctuates from person to person, even among mods. Was the closed pit thread “very much not going in [my] favor”, or was it met with “complete indifference”? This is a rhetorical question, the answer to which demonstrates to me that I flew off the handle. > > Sorry, TVeblen, just being snarky in your closing didn’t warrant my response. And sorry, to you as well, tomndebb. > > Still, the thread is open to pizzabrat, if you’d like to continue the discussion. ---
**Author:** ![Uvula\_Donor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e19adc/32.png) [@Uvula\_Donor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uvula_Donor)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2006, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ellis-dee-suspension-over-reaction/338252/20 "2006-01-03T20:13:39Z")
> [@Contrapuntal](#): > > This was his last post in the thread. Not exactly foam-flecked. The over-reaction on the part of the mods actually proves that Ellis Dee was right about them. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ellis-dee-suspension-over-reaction/338252.md?page=2)