# Hey Twickster, How was this OTHER warning justified? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [December 17, 2009, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-twickster-how-was-this-other-warning-justified/521649 "2009-12-17T16:33:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![melodyharmonius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/melodyharmonius/32/21310_2.png) [@melodyharmonius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/melodyharmonius)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-twickster-how-was-this-other-warning-justified/521649/41 "2009-12-18T13:50:52Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > It’s all relative; at least we’re not _furries_. says the cat. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-twickster-how-was-this-other-warning-justified/521649/42 "2009-12-18T16:18:19Z")
Hmm, that does step on my cred. ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-twickster-how-was-this-other-warning-justified/521649/43 "2009-12-18T16:42:59Z")
> [@PlainJain](#): > > I like twixter - quite a bit actually - but this latest spate of unnecessary warnings are embarrassing. Not that the parties involved couldn’t have been told to cool it a bit, but an official warning? Sad to say, I agree on every point. Well, more or less – sorry **Bees** , but that whole post was on the jerky side. But the thing **LOUNE** is so off base, it made it’s way into another stadium entirely. ---
**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:** [December 18, 2009, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-twickster-how-was-this-other-warning-justified/521649/44 "2009-12-18T17:40:57Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > OK, now this is just awful. She would have rescinded the warning if he had been more polite about explaining himself? That is just embarrassing. We (all the mods) have, on occasion, rescinded warnings when there has been some sort of reasonable explanation. Neither mods nor posters can read tone of voice in posts, and so there is the possibility of misreading. However, such explanations need to be explanations offered in reasonably civil tones. In the absence of a polite and reasonable explanation, the offense still stands. “Hey, officer, you summabitch jerk, I wasn’t speeding you asshole” probably won’t get you out of the ticket. 🙂 ---
**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:** [December 18, 2009, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-twickster-how-was-this-other-warning-justified/521649/45 "2009-12-18T18:22:35Z")
> [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](#): > > We (all the mods) have, on occasion, rescinded warnings when there has been some sort of reasonable explanation. Neither mods nor posters can read tone of voice in posts, and so there is the possibility of misreading. However, such explanations need to be explanations offered in reasonably civil tones. In the absence of a polite and reasonable explanation, the offense still stands. I know that warnings have been rescinded. I’ve had it happen to me. We’re just going to have to disagree on this. If it can be proven that the warning was given in error, I think that it should be rescinded regardless of the tone of the explanation. Maybe if it was a borderline call, the tone of the explanation could push it one way or the other. > [@](#): > > “Hey, officer, you summabitch jerk, I wasn’t speeding you asshole” probably won’t get you out of the ticket. 🙂 Even if you could prove that you weren’t actually guilty of speeding? ---
**Author:** ![IAmNotSpartacus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@IAmNotSpartacus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IAmNotSpartacus)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-twickster-how-was-this-other-warning-justified/521649/46 "2009-12-18T18:29:29Z")
> [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](#): > > Neither mods nor posters can read tone of voice in posts, and so there is the possibility of misreading. However, such explanations need to be explanations offered in reasonably civil tones. In the absence of a polite and reasonable explanation, the offense still stands. You might have a hard time judging tones, but judging context isn’t rocket science. The warning described in this this thread arose out of twickster not reading the thread in which in the comment was posted. Simple as that. The explanation remained within the context of the thread. Apparently it was easier for twickster to put her fingers in her ears and yell nyah nyah nyah instead of going back and reading the thread, and finding her warning was not justified. ---
**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:** [December 18, 2009, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-twickster-how-was-this-other-warning-justified/521649/47 "2009-12-18T18:34:36Z")
> [@IAmNotSpartacus](#): > > The explanation remained within the context of the thread. Apparently it was easier for twickster to put her fingers in her ears and yell nyah nyah nyah instead of going back and reading the thread, and finding her warning was not justified. I don’t really blame her for not reading the whole thread, assuming that she was reacting to a reported post. There isn’t always time for that, especially if real life gets busy. People always have a chance to explain themselves and rulings can be reversed. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-twickster-how-was-this-other-warning-justified/521649/48 "2009-12-18T19:47:43Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Even if you could prove that you weren’t actually guilty of speeding? You’re still probably going to be issued the ticket. The traffic cop isn’t a judge, and doesn’t have accept any excuse you may offer when he observed what he believes to be a traffic violation. You’ll get a chance to defend against it in Court, just as you can start an ATMB thread here. Start calling police officers summabitches in Court and you’re probably going to jail for contempt, plus found guilty on the traffic offense. Calling mods here summabitches won’t get you jailed, but prolly isn’t gonna get a warning rescinded, either. ---
**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:** [December 18, 2009, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-twickster-how-was-this-other-warning-justified/521649/49 "2009-12-18T20:23:24Z")
> [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](#): > > “Hey, officer, you summabitch jerk, I wasn’t speeding you asshole” probably won’t get you out of the ticket. 🙂 Sure, and neither will punching him in the crotch. Both cases are equally relevant here, which is to say not at all. **LOUNE** didn’t call **twickster** names or act abusively. He said: > [@](#): > > Warning ignored. If I can’t be a jerk to my own father, who can I be a jerk to? A citizen who received a citation for illegal trespassing while standing in their own yard might react with similar incredulity. Regardless of what the letter of the law is, I don’t think expressing astonishment or disbelief should equated with acting abusive or rude. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-twickster-how-was-this-other-warning-justified/521649/50 "2009-12-18T20:30:14Z")
> [@Giraffe](#): > > A citizen who received a citation for illegal trespassing while standing in their own yard might react with similar incredulity. Regardless of what the letter of the law is, I don’t think expressing astonishment or disbelief should equated with acting abusive or rude. No everyone knows who is related to whom around here. Should the rule be “Don’t be a jerk, except to your relatives”? That seems unwise to me. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-twickster-how-was-this-other-warning-justified/521649/51 "2009-12-18T20:43:45Z")
There has been discussion amongst the mods on that point since this went down, and the consensus is, no, it’s not our job to keep track of who’s allowed to be rude to whom – a jerkish response may get a warning, regardless of relationships. Since LOUNE did ID himself as the OP’s son in the thread – which I skimmed, but way too quickly, after receiving a couple of reports on that post – I might have rescinded the warning, but I stand behind considering “I’m ignoring you” an inappropriate response to a mod. As far as everyone else’s commentary in this thread: thank you for sharing, but moderation isn’t a democratic process. I made the calls and I stand behind them, both the one that the thread was originally about and the one that the OP threw out as additional bait when he couldn’t get traction on the first. ---
**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:** [December 18, 2009, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-twickster-how-was-this-other-warning-justified/521649/52 "2009-12-18T20:52:05Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > but I stand behind considering “I’m ignoring you” an inappropriate response to a mod. Can I ask why that’s relevant? I’ve had a lot of respect for the mods on these boards for the many years I’ve been on this board. It’s a thankless, work-intensive chore. But mods don’t deserve any more respect than any other posters on this board, and an expression of incredulity hardly pings on my offensive meter. > [@](#): > > and the one that the OP threw out as additional bait when he couldn’t get traction on the first. :rolleyes: Stay classy, twickster. ---
**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:** [December 18, 2009, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-twickster-how-was-this-other-warning-justified/521649/53 "2009-12-18T20:55:39Z")
> [@Contrapuntal](#): > > No everyone knows who is related to whom around here. Should the rule be “Don’t be a jerk, except to your relatives”? That seems unwise to me. I actually think it should be “Don’t be a jerk, except to **gonzomax** ”. That would be a lot simpler. 😃 No, I don’t fault **twickster** for not realizing the relationship when she gave the warning – mods can’t read every thread, and because reported posts jump you right to the offensive post, it’s easy to miss context. And I don’t expect her automatically to overturn the ruling upon learning the context and background behind the remark. I’m only suggesting that once that information is known, I think it’s more reasonable to cut **LOUNE** some slack for his initial response, rather than casting him as insubordinate or abusive. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-twickster-how-was-this-other-warning-justified/521649/54 "2009-12-18T21:40:01Z")
**Munch** said: > [@](#): > > Can I ask why that’s relevant? I’ve had a lot of respect for the mods on these boards for the many years I’ve been on this board. It’s a thankless, work-intensive chore. But mods don’t deserve any more respect than any other posters on this board, and an expression of incredulity hardly pings on my offensive meter. Uh, because there’s a difference between ignoring a Mod as a poster and ignoring an Official Action. It’s like parking tickets. You can ignore them and ignore them, until one day you come out and find a boot on your car. ---
**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-twickster-how-was-this-other-warning-justified/521649/55 "2009-12-18T21:42:32Z")
Mod Actions: Now With the Force of Law! ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-twickster-how-was-this-other-warning-justified/521649/56 "2009-12-18T22:34:16Z")
> [@Irishman](#): > > **Munch** said: > Uh, because there’s a difference between ignoring a Mod as a poster and ignoring an Official Action. > > It’s like parking tickets. You can ignore them and ignore them, until one day you come out and find a boot on your car. I think you are talking about the wrong issue. Ignoring a warning does not inherently create any problems. I’m sure a lot of people ignore warnings if they don’t think they are justified. They just aren’t stupid enough to actually tell the mod that that’s what they are doing. The problem is that it was snarky, and impolite. **Twickster** is acting like a cop, who cites you with contempt of cop if you aren’t the pinnacle of politeness. This is standard behavior on the Dope. I disagree with it, since it inherently makes people respect you less, but it doesn’t seem to be changing any time soon. The problem I see is that **Twickster** hasn’t found the balance. You can’t fight every battle with a Warning. Doing so creates a level of antagonism that will just make matters worse. Having to fight against people who no longer respect you will make anyone burn out eventually. It’s already happened on the board before. Unfortunately, I don’t think I can make an argument that will get through to her. I just hope that, in time, she realizes that she is ultimately responsible for the stress she seems to feel. ---
**Author:** ![Trepa\_Mayfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/edb3f5/32.png) [@Trepa\_Mayfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trepa_Mayfield)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-twickster-how-was-this-other-warning-justified/521649/57 "2009-12-18T23:03:34Z")
Jeez, twickster, lighten up. ---
**Author:** ![Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimmy_Gibbler)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-twickster-how-was-this-other-warning-justified/521649/58 "2009-12-18T23:35:22Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > As far as everyone else’s commentary in this thread: thank you for sharing, but moderation isn’t a democratic process. It’s interesting you say this; you clearly recognize that your mod actions have occasioned a lot of misgivings among the members of the board. It is, after all, a vote of no confidence. Would you say you are misunderstood as a moderator then? That you are doing important, albeit unpopular, justice? Why _shouldn’t_ moderators have to change in response to such remonstrances by the membership? Because it seems to me if you don’t believe that, and that seems to be a pretty glorified account of what moderators do here, then the alternative seems to be that your moderation has started to become erratic and perhaps it’s time to take a break. ---
**Author:** ![SoulFrost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f07891/32.png) [@SoulFrost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SoulFrost)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-twickster-how-was-this-other-warning-justified/521649/59 "2009-12-18T23:51:31Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > As far as everyone else’s commentary in this thread: thank you for sharing, but moderation isn’t a democratic process. Perhaps not, but if enough people tell you that you’ve begun acting like a jerk, then maybe you have. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2009, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-twickster-how-was-this-other-warning-justified/521649/60 "2009-12-19T00:01:25Z")
Have you been around the last year, **SoulFrost**? Lots (and I mean LOTS) of people telling you something isn’t enough to change the minds of the powers that be here. The _de facto_ motto of the Straight Dope now is, “If you don’t like it, leave.” I’m not going to hold my breath waiting for **twickster** to change her behaviour based on ATMB threads complaining about her actions. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-twickster-how-was-this-other-warning-justified/521649.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-twickster-how-was-this-other-warning-justified/521649.md?page=4)