# Hey Tomndebb, grow a pair already **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [June 8, 2009, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-tomndebb-grow-a-pair-already/499075 "2009-06-08T06:53:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2009, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-tomndebb-grow-a-pair-already/499075/1 "2009-06-08T06:53:43Z")
[http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=11221057&postcount=172](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=11221057&postcount=172) > [@New and improved nuclear plants may cost more than expected.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-and-improved-nuclear-plants-may-cost-more-than-expected/498880/172): > > No one is gettinmg a Warning–yet. > > I am not really happy with DSeid’s particular response to you, but you are the one who is picking this fight and throwing _ad hominems_ around. > > If you have evidence that current nuclear reactors are unsafe, (as opposed to decades-old anecdotes), have at it. Otherwise, leave the attacks on other posters for the **Pit**. Man up. Either find some specific behavior of mine and warn, or ban, but don’t go around swinging your mod dick because we all know that you don’t have one. Is it okay to call people an “asshole” in your forum as long as one does it by insinuation or not? As long as it is by a long time poster apparently. Must you abuse your authority everytime you refer to it? Every time I’ve seen you use it, you just get it wrong. He called me an asshole in GD and the best you can do is “I’m not really happy”. Whether I’m an asshole isn’t the point, the point is that you do not enforce your rules in anything like an evenhanded fashion. I didn’t insult anyone or even ad hominem anyone. Pointing out that an appeal to authority is of little value if the authority isn’t an authority in that field is not an ad hominem. Look at the context of things. The context is that it is now okay to call people “asshole” in your forum as long as the direct object is insinuated and the poster dissembles about it when called on it. Not really happy? How about so morally confused as to actually reprimand someone for deliberately breaking a rule and what the hell, being boorish? As for anecdotes, Chernobyl, in case you didn’t know, was a real nuclear catastrophe two decades ago and lots of people died. It is not “anecdotes” in the sense of the word you are using. If you are saying that, because of age, one cannot refer to Chernobyl, Three Mile Island, Windscale and the German pebble bed problems ([http://www.neimagazine.com/story.asp?storyCode=2052589](http://www.neimagazine.com/story.asp?storyCode=2052589)) then you are saying that bad experiences are not worth mentioning in discussing any future plans of anything in GD. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2009, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-tomndebb-grow-a-pair-already/499075/2 "2009-06-08T07:09:03Z")
> [@The\_Second\_Stone](#): > > As for anecdotes, Chernobyl, in case you didn’t know, was a real nuclear catastrophe two decades ago and lots of people died. It is not “anecdotes” in the sense of the word you are using. If you are saying that, because of age, one cannot refer to Chernobyl, Three Mile Island, Windscale and the German pebble bed problems ([http://www.neimagazine.com/story.asp?storyCode=2052589](http://www.neimagazine.com/story.asp?storyCode=2052589)) then you are saying that bad experiences are not worth mentioning in discussing any future plans of anything in GD. It probably has more to Chernobyl’s bad design having little in common with most nation’s reactors, and TMI being if anything a vindication of nuclear safety. I’d sure prefer to live next to a typical nuclear plant than a lot of other industrial facilities. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2009, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-tomndebb-grow-a-pair-already/499075/3 "2009-06-08T08:28:32Z")
Yeah, the Chernobyl incident happened because it was an old, poorly maintained plant built by a poorly managed, corrupt government with lax environmental and safety standards and being run by a group of engineers who had voluntarily disabled the plant’s safety features. As was mentioned in the other thread, it’s not really comparable to modern American reactors or the way they’re run. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2009, 9:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-tomndebb-grow-a-pair-already/499075/4 "2009-06-08T09:58:48Z")
Shouldn’t this be in ATMB? ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2009, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-tomndebb-grow-a-pair-already/499075/5 "2009-06-08T12:57:32Z")
> [@The\_Second\_Stone](#): > > [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=11221057](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=11221057) . Bad link ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2009, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-tomndebb-grow-a-pair-already/499075/6 "2009-06-08T13:34:16Z")
> [@E-Sabbath](#): > > Shouldn’t this be in ATMB? Don’t be a junior mod! But, wait. Since I’m pointing this out, aren’t I being a junior mod, therefore opening myself up to my own criticism? I fear the universe will implode due to this paradox.. ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2009, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-tomndebb-grow-a-pair-already/499075/7 "2009-06-08T13:42:48Z")
From the BBQ Pit forum description: > [@](#): > > For rants about the world or beefs with another poster. **Comments and complaints about SDMB administration should go in About This Message Board**. Moved from the BBQ Pit to About this Message Board. **Gfactor** Pit Moderator ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2009, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-tomndebb-grow-a-pair-already/499075/8 "2009-06-08T13:51:38Z")
Wasn’t so much junior modding as still being unsure about the rules. Still doesn’t _feel_ right for these to be in ATMB. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2009, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-tomndebb-grow-a-pair-already/499075/9 "2009-06-08T14:07:27Z")
Let’s see: After numerous posts attacking Una Persson and others for not providing the sort of posts that you want to see, you made a bold claim that on another message board, people who did not post their legal names were called “Anonymous Cowards.” DSeid responded by pointing out that on this message board, although in a separate forum, for various behaviors people were called “assholes.” Now, if you would like, I can issue you a Warning for your name-calling and throw in a second Warning to DSeid for being lured into bad behavior, following your example. Or, I can tell both of you that you need to back off on the name-calling. Since neither of you are in the habit of being disruptive, I initially chose to follow the second path, although if you really feel strongly that any name-calling should receive a Mod smackdown, I am sure I could arrange to Warn you. (You also might want to get over your “long time poster” hang-up. I really don’t look at join dates very much. You have been here long enough that I do not think “N00B” when I see your username and I could not have told you, until I looked it up after you started whining, that you had “only” been here a year.) ---
**Author:** ![Sinaijon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@Sinaijon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sinaijon)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2009, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-tomndebb-grow-a-pair-already/499075/10 "2009-06-08T14:11:34Z")
> [@The\_Second\_Stone](#): > > Is it okay to call people an “asshole” in your forum as long as one does it by insinuation or not? …I didn’t insult anyone or even ad hominem anyone. It’s pretty obvious that you started the whole exchange with your ‘we call people like you anonymous cowards over on slashdot’, and he responded with 'yeah, well we call people like you assholes in the pit.". I don’t think you can really argue that he called you an asshole without admitting you were calling UP an anonymous ignorant coward. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2009, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-tomndebb-grow-a-pair-already/499075/11 "2009-06-08T14:57:28Z")
He did this before – challenging another poster to meet him at another board, IIRC? ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2009, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-tomndebb-grow-a-pair-already/499075/12 "2009-06-08T15:19:57Z")
We’ve always viewed insults against a group which are clearly meant to apply to an individual, as border-line rules violation. From the [Rules for Posting on the Straight Dope Message Boards](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=384736) (See Post #10 in that thread]: > [@](#): > > And please note the difference between an insult directed against a person and an insult against a large group. > ACCEPTABLE: "Anyone who likes the music of Enema is soulless and lacks taste in music. > NOT ACCEPTABLE: “You like Enema’s music? Then you’re soulless and have no taste in music.” In short, these things get decided on a situational basis. **tomndebb** decided that your situation wasn’t severe enough to warrant a warning. Had the situation been slightly different, he might have decieded differently. Challenging another poster to meet at another board is a clear rules violation. We do not permit board-wars. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2009, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-tomndebb-grow-a-pair-already/499075/13 "2009-06-08T17:49:53Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > Let’s see: After numerous posts attacking Una Persson and others for not providing the sort of posts that you want to see, you made a bold claim that on another message board, people who did not post their legal names were called “Anonymous Cowards.” > DSeid responded by pointing out that on this message board, although in a separate forum, for various behaviors people were called “assholes.” > > Now, if you would like, I can issue you a Warning for your name-calling and throw in a second Warning to DSeid for being lured into bad behavior, following your example. > Or, I can tell both of you that you need to back off on the name-calling. > Since neither of you are in the habit of being disruptive, I initially chose to follow the second path, although if you really feel strongly that any name-calling should receive a Mod smackdown, I am sure I could arrange to Warn you. > > (You also might want to get over your “long time poster” hang-up. I really don’t look at join dates very much. You have been here long enough that I do not think “N00B” when I see your username and I could not have told you, until I looked it up after you started whining, that you had “only” been here a year.) Do whatever pleases you, you will anyway. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2009, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-tomndebb-grow-a-pair-already/499075/14 "2009-06-08T17:52:50Z")
> [@](#): > > And please note the difference between an insult directed against a person and an insult against a large group. > ACCEPTABLE: "Anyone who likes the music of Enema is soulless and lacks taste in music. > NOT ACCEPTABLE: “You like Enema’s music? Then you’re soulless and have no taste in music.” Well damn me! How about this: Anyone who moderates here on the SDMB is soulless and lacks taste in music. And by lacks taste in music I mean is a power abusing nogoodnik. ---
**Author:** ![SkipMagic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skipmagic/32/20706_2.png) [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2009, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-tomndebb-grow-a-pair-already/499075/15 "2009-06-08T18:18:39Z")
Dear Diary, Today, an SDMB mod abused his power by not giving me a warning when I richly deserved one. That’s just wacky, ain’t it? Tomorrow, I shall stand outside, shake my fist and yell at the sun for not burning me to a crisp. It _could_, but it doesn’t. That’s an abuse of power, is what that is. Also, tea party on Thursday at noon. I’m very excited. Sincerely, TS (not Eliot) S ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2009, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-tomndebb-grow-a-pair-already/499075/16 "2009-06-08T18:31:16Z")
…and _now_ I finally get what “twee” means. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/73ab20/32.png) [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tao_s_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2009, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-tomndebb-grow-a-pair-already/499075/17 "2009-06-08T21:55:45Z")
Slashdot is barely one step above youtube comments. ---
**Author:** ![Erasmus\_Darwin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c57346/32.png) [@Erasmus\_Darwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erasmus_Darwin)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2009, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-tomndebb-grow-a-pair-already/499075/18 "2009-06-08T23:30:46Z")
> [@SkipMagic](#): > > Today, an SDMB mod abused his power by not giving me a warning when I richly deserved one. That’s just wacky, ain’t it? As a third-party, I think that’s actually a bit of a problem in GD. Posters will get into a fight like this one, and a general “knock it off” warning will be issued instead of formal warnings. I can’t help but notice that it’s often some of the chronically unpleasant posters (who generally know how to stay just a hair inside the jerk boundary) who’re often instigators. But because it turns into a free-for-all, it seems like formal warnings aren’t given out when they should be. As a quick aside, my comments aren’t directed at the behavior of either The Second Stone or DSeid. But I’ve seen similar scenarios play out numerous times where it’s clear that someone’s trolling, and they seem to get off scott free because someone else took the bait. Any chance warnings could get given out more often even if it means 2 or 3 people get tagged? ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2009, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-tomndebb-grow-a-pair-already/499075/19 "2009-06-09T01:44:58Z")
> [@The\_Second\_Stone](#): > > Do whatever pleases you, you will anyway. You do realize that pouting is not a persuasive form of argument? You have now interrupted a separate thread in **Great Debates** to air your complaint, again. That will not be permitted. It is especially troubling, to me, to notice that you refuse to accept responsibility for opening the exchange of name calling with your attacks on Una Persson. As long as you maintain your “_he hit me back first_” defense, you are going to subject yourself to the scorn of other posters as well as utterly failing to persuade the staff that your complaint has any legitimacy. ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2009, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-tomndebb-grow-a-pair-already/499075/20 "2009-06-09T01:45:08Z")
> [@The\_Second\_Stone](#): > > Well damn me! How about this: Anyone who moderates here on the SDMB is soulless and lacks taste in music. And by lacks taste in music I mean is a power abusing nogoodnik. That doesn’t fit the “group” criteria on two counts: (1) It’s too small group; and (2) It’s a group of posters, and ONLY posters. Hence, insulting that group is insulting other posters. Full stop. Our exception is intended to allow people to insult Republicans, Democrats, Whigs, intellectuals, police, doctors, whatever. It may be that some posters are Republicans, Democrats, Whigs, intellectuals, police, doctors, whatever; the insult addressed at the group is NOT the same as insulting the other posters. When the group is just posters, then your example is just trying to fancy-foot around the rules. **Second Stone** , you seem itching to push for a warning. I suggest that you take a day or two away from the boards to cool down and relax, take deep breaths, and forget this incident. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-tomndebb-grow-a-pair-already/499075.md?page=2)