# I need a ruling on Insults Outside the Pit **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 13, 2007, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-ruling-on-insults-outside-the-pit/429861 "2007-12-13T14:54:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2007, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-ruling-on-insults-outside-the-pit/429861/1 "2007-12-13T14:54:35Z")
This thread is prompted by [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=447255) The OP was questioning **Dex** concerning the closure of another thread referenced in the OP but my concern is in line with **Flyhalf** [QUOTE=Flyhalf] But it is ok to directly insult someone outside of the Pit, correct? [/QUOTE] he was questioning **Dex** concerning **Opalcat** s post in the OP’s referenced GQ thread. > [@](#): > > I am overcome with an urge to vomit. Sometimes I really wish that certain sub-species of humanity never made it past the evolutionary process. I hope to god I never meet you or anyone like you. [Addressed to the OP, who sickens me on every possible level. Now **Dex** hasn’t been around to respond to **Flyhalf[**, but **Q.E.D.** , a staff member, jumped in with this ruling. [QUOTE=Q.E.D.] Nobody directly insulted anyone in that thread. **Opal** ’s post was stupid, to be sure, and arguably not appropriate for the forum. But, I can’t really see a _direct_ insult there. I’m sure you can read one in there if you dig deep enough between the lines, but then you’re making an assumption of what you think the poster meant, rather than taking the post at face value. [/QUOTE] He goes on to further back up his claim that **Opalcat** s post wasn’t an insult. I don’t see it. Mod’s, can I get an official ruling on **Opalcat** s post ? ---
**Author:** ![Crotalus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crotalus/32/41_2.png) [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2007, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-ruling-on-insults-outside-the-pit/429861/2 "2007-12-13T15:06:33Z")
\*\*Q.E.D. \*\*has probably written a staff report at some point, but he is in no position to offer any rulings. I think he was just offering his opinion. [QUOTE=onelookdictionary] Quick definitions (insult) # noun: a deliberately offensive act or something producing the effect of an affront (Example: “Turning his back on me was a deliberate insult”) # noun: a rude expression intended to offend or hurt (Example: “They yelled insults at the visiting team”) # verb: treat, mention, or speak to rudely (Example: “He insulted her with his rude remarks”) [/QUOTE] What **Opal** said was insulting to a specific person, and deliberately so, IMO. **Opal** should have been warned. ---
**Author:** ![fluiddruid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@fluiddruid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fluiddruid)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2007, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-ruling-on-insults-outside-the-pit/429861/3 "2007-12-13T15:32:42Z")
[QUOTE=The Flying Dutchman] Now **Dex** hasn’t been around to respond to **Flyhalf[**, but **Q.E.D.** , a staff member, jumped in with this ruling. [/QUOTE] Q.E.D. is not a moderator or administrator for the SDMB. He may weigh in as to his opinions about the rules, but they are not intended to be considered as from “staff”. ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2007, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-ruling-on-insults-outside-the-pit/429861/4 "2007-12-13T15:46:31Z")
Wait, I don’t strictly see that as an insult though. It’s a statement of **Opal** ’s opinion. If she had tacked on “…You monkey raping shit bucket” at the end, then it becomes an insult. YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![BlueKangaroo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3d9bf3/32.png) [@BlueKangaroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlueKangaroo)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2007, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-ruling-on-insults-outside-the-pit/429861/5 "2007-12-13T15:57:19Z")
I think **OpalCat** seems to be a pretty cool poster in general, but I read that as an insult as well, and was also shocked that she wasn’t called on it. The first two sentences seems to be written specifically to be able to call the OP of that thread a “sub-human” who makes her want to vomit in a weaselly way to avoid triggering the “direct insult” claim. I’d further argue she failed to avoid that trigger with the last two sentences: “I hope to god I never meet you or anyone like you. [Addressed to the OP, who sickens me on every possible level.]” I would also like to see something specifically stated on this, since clearly there was Mod action involved here, and she was not called on that. Are we to thus infer that statements like that are acceptable in all forums? ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2007, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-ruling-on-insults-outside-the-pit/429861/6 "2007-12-13T16:17:35Z")
Normally all insults, no matter how veiled or buried behind semantic wiggling, are not allowed. Pretty much like Dex himself said [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=8296015&postcount=25). “Personal insults, however thinly veiled, are not permitted in this forum.” ---
**Author:** ![Sapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2007, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-ruling-on-insults-outside-the-pit/429861/7 "2007-12-13T16:34:47Z")
[QUOTE=fluiddruid] Q.E.D. is not a moderator or administrator for the SDMB. He may weigh in as to his opinions about the rules, but they are not intended to be considered as from “staff”. [/QUOTE] Is he aware of that? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Sapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2007, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-ruling-on-insults-outside-the-pit/429861/8 "2007-12-13T16:37:20Z")
The short story is that TPTB agreed with OpalCat in her comments and decided to give it a pass. The involved parties will not be available to respond to this thread, some other will pop up to make tangential comments and soon enough, these will not be the droids you are looking for. Business as usual. ---
**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:** [December 13, 2007, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-ruling-on-insults-outside-the-pit/429861/9 "2007-12-13T16:38:58Z")
Pretty thin veil on that insult, if you ask me. See-through. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2007, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-ruling-on-insults-outside-the-pit/429861/10 "2007-12-13T17:02:04Z")
[QUOTE=fluiddruid] Q.E.D. is not a moderator or administrator for the SDMB. He may weigh in as to his opinions about the rules, but they are not intended to be considered as from “staff”. [/QUOTE] Well, now that you’ve weighed in on that crucially important issue, would it be too much trouble for you to offer a response to the OP? Because that was about the most thinly-veiled insult direct insult i’ve seen on these boards. ---
**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:** [December 13, 2007, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-ruling-on-insults-outside-the-pit/429861/11 "2007-12-13T17:04:48Z")
Any chance she just got a pass as she only really made the mistake of being baited by a troll? ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2007, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-ruling-on-insults-outside-the-pit/429861/12 "2007-12-13T17:06:31Z")
Interesting question. See my new [post](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=9267503&posted=1#post9267503) in that thread for my opinion on one of Q.E.D.'s arguments. -FrL- ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2007, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-ruling-on-insults-outside-the-pit/429861/13 "2007-12-13T17:35:16Z")
[QUOTE=fluiddruid] Q.E.D. is not a moderator or administrator for the SDMB. He may weigh in as to his opinions about the rules, but they are not intended to be considered as from “staff”. [/QUOTE] The “SDSAB” label can be momentarily daunting. But it’s like when you’re hanging around some kiddie playground in an apartment complex at 4:00 in the morning, drinking beer and smoking dope, and someone whom you think is a cop walks up and shines a flashlight in your face and asks for your ID. You’re scared at first, but then you notice his badge says “Security Patrol” and he’s not armed. So you say “yeah, EAT me!” and then knee him in the acorns with all your strength and run like hell. Basically like that. ---
**Author:** ![fluiddruid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@fluiddruid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fluiddruid)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2007, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-ruling-on-insults-outside-the-pit/429861/14 "2007-12-13T17:39:31Z")
[QUOTE=mhendo] Well, now that you’ve weighed in on that crucially important issue, would it be too much trouble for you to offer a response to the OP? Because that was about the most thinly-veiled insult direct insult i’ve seen on these boards. [/QUOTE] Frankly, I don’t want to speak on **Dex** ’s behalf; as a Pit moderator, I doubt I have the best gauge among the moderating staff to evaluate this issue. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2007, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-ruling-on-insults-outside-the-pit/429861/15 "2007-12-13T17:39:55Z")
[QUOTE=mhendo] Well, now that you’ve weighed in on that crucially important issue, would it be too much trouble for you to offer a response to the OP? [/QUOTE] Good question. > [@](#): > > Because that was about the most thinly-veiled insult direct insult i’ve seen on these boards. Agreed. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2007, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-ruling-on-insults-outside-the-pit/429861/16 "2007-12-13T17:41:35Z")
[QUOTE=fluiddruid] Q.E.D. is not a moderator or administrator for the SDMB. He may weigh in as to his opinions about the rules, but they are not intended to be considered as from “staff”. [/QUOTE] I didn’t realize that my request in the OP was going to be so difficult for you and the rest of the moderators/administrators. if that’s the case, please feel free to lock this thread. ---
**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 13, 2007, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-ruling-on-insults-outside-the-pit/429861/17 "2007-12-13T17:42:38Z")
[QUOTE=fluiddruid] Frankly, I don’t want to speak on **Dex** ’s behalf; as a Pit moderator, I doubt I have the best gauge among the moderating staff to evaluate this issue. [/QUOTE] Same here. I know there’s always been a line between comments that are insulting (“your opinion on this matter is idiotic and ill-informed”) and direct insults (“you are ugly”), but I’m probably the least qualified mod to comment on where exactly it is. ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2007, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-ruling-on-insults-outside-the-pit/429861/18 "2007-12-13T17:45:46Z")
[QUOTE=fluiddruid] Frankly, I don’t want to speak on **Dex** ’s behalf; as a Pit moderator, I\*\* doubt I have the best gauge among the moderating staff \*\* to evaluate this issue. [/QUOTE] [QUOTE=Giraffe] Same here. I know there’s always been a line between comments that are insulting (“your opinion on this matter is idiotic and ill-informed”) and direct insults (“you are ugly”), \*\*but I’m probably the least qualified \*\* mod to comment on where exactly it is. [/QUOTE] Fight Fight Fight Fight! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2007, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-ruling-on-insults-outside-the-pit/429861/19 "2007-12-13T17:48:44Z")
[QUOTE=fluiddruid] Frankly, I don’t want to speak on **Dex** ’s behalf; as a Pit moderator, I doubt I have the best gauge among the moderating staff to evaluate this issue. [/QUOTE] That’s interesting, because we’ve been told that moderators are free to moderate any forum at all, and that complaints about such moderation are invalid. If that is not the case, can we protest when a moderator changes venue, so to speak? Or is the moderator the sole judge of whether he or she can weigh in? If so, is that on a case by case basis, or is it more of a general rule? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2007, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-ruling-on-insults-outside-the-pit/429861/20 "2007-12-13T17:53:42Z")
[QUOTE=Giraffe] Same here. I know there’s always been a line between comments that are insulting (“your opinion on this matter is idiotic and ill-informed”) and direct insults (“you are ugly”), but I’m probably the least qualified mod to comment on where exactly it is. [/QUOTE] Well if you mods can’t tell whether an insult is an insult or not, is it fair to expect the rest of us to know when we post ? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-ruling-on-insults-outside-the-pit/429861.md?page=2)