# I take umbrage with both this warning and the mod attitude **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [April 18, 2012, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-take-umbrage-with-both-this-warning-and-the-mod-attitude/619138 "2012-04-18T08:13:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![MarcusF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/67e7ee/32.png) [@MarcusF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MarcusF)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2012, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-take-umbrage-with-both-this-warning-and-the-mod-attitude/619138/21 "2012-04-18T15:55:35Z")
I was taking part in the thread in question and thought straight into an official warning a bit harsh but I don’t think > [@](#): > > It’s people like you, being a dick for no reason, that remind me why I took an extended break from this place. can be taken as anything but a personal insult. Mind you when I first read **Askance** ’s post with the all the abrupt “No’s” in it I though he was being unnecessarily combatative. I had to reread it a number of times before I understood where he was coming from. As I said in one of my posts > [@](#): > > Askance’s style is a bit abrupt but the original article - which is full of direct quotes from the chap who claims to have actually traced their history - does rebut the highlighted sections of the earlier posts. So just to take Martini Enfield’s point, Askance is not saying we weren’t on the offensive in Burma in '45, he is saying the Spitfires were not buried to prevent them falling into Japanese hands. A shame an interesting thread got bogged down in unhelpful wrangling. ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2012, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-take-umbrage-with-both-this-warning-and-the-mod-attitude/619138/22 "2012-04-18T16:01:15Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > “being a” and “You Are a” are part of the same word (to be). To say someone is being a dick I would imagine one could easily argue is the same as calling them one. I agree that it’s a distinction which cuts hairs. However, there is in fact a reason that people will use the progressive aspect with the normally stative verb _ **be** _, and that is to refer to someone’s momentary state of being–effectively, their action. In other words, it’s not the verb itself which marks the difference, but the aspect in which it was used. Again, not that I think it really matters here. ---
**Author:** ![Baal\_Houtham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baal_houtham/32/13604_2.png) [@Baal\_Houtham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baal_Houtham)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2012, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-take-umbrage-with-both-this-warning-and-the-mod-attitude/619138/23 "2012-04-18T16:36:08Z")
Another voter for warranted warning for a clear rules violation. Don’t call another poster a dick in GQ. That said, I can understand why **Martini Enfield** described **Askance** ’s action that way. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2012, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-take-umbrage-with-both-this-warning-and-the-mod-attitude/619138/24 "2012-04-18T16:37:15Z")
Is “umbrage” what happens when Lamont Cranston gets really pissed? Hello? Is this thing on? ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2012, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-take-umbrage-with-both-this-warning-and-the-mod-attitude/619138/25 "2012-04-18T16:42:41Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Is “umbrage” what happens when Lamont Cranston gets really pissed? > > Hello? Is this thing on? I laughed. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2012, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-take-umbrage-with-both-this-warning-and-the-mod-attitude/619138/26 "2012-04-18T16:59:20Z")
The “report post” is there for a reason. If you object to the remarks of another poster, report the post and let the moderators deal with it. It’s never appropriate to take matters into your own hands by responding with an insult when you feel offended. In this case, however, I don’t even see any basis for your allegation that **Askance** was “acting like a jerk.” In his post, all he posted was “no” in regard to your statement. This may have been curt, but calling it “condescending” seems a bit of a stretch. On the contrary, your response to him seems to be a bit condescending itself (“since you’re clearly an expert on the Burma campaign”). His reply to you after that was completely straightforward, and I don’t detect any snark in it. In the circumstances, I find your remark about “wafer-thin skin” in your OP to be a bit ironic. (I might say, however, if we started moderating every condescending remark made on this board, this would be a more than full time job.;)) In deciding whether to issue a note vs. a warning, I took several factors into account. First, the insult was blatant, serious, and personal. Saying someone is “being a dick” is calling them a dick; it’s not something directed at their post but at them personally. Second, you are a long term poster who should be fully aware of the rules of GQ, and of the procedures for reporting a post. Third, as indicated above, your response was essentially unprovoked and way over the top with regard to anything that had previously gone on in the thread. **Martini Enfield** , I think you are generally an excellent poster, and make a positive contribution to the board. I acknowledge that my reference to a possible suspension was overly harsh, and I apologize for that. As you say, you have no previous warnings and as of now you are not close to being a candidate for administrative action. My remark was due to irritation at seeing a long-term poster who should know better commit an offense that was so blatant that you left me little choice as to issue a warning or not. I’d rather not see a poster who does make a positive contribution to the board allow themselves to overreact in the way that you did and get in trouble. Next time you get annoyed with someone, I would really appreciate it if you would report the post and not put me in the position of having to issue you a warning. ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2012, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-take-umbrage-with-both-this-warning-and-the-mod-attitude/619138/27 "2012-04-18T17:01:30Z")
The Warning was fine. I wish that in GD especially people who should know better and still choose to use direct personal insults drew immediate Warnings and not just a polite request to tone it down if they feel like it, please, if it’s not too much trouble. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2012, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-take-umbrage-with-both-this-warning-and-the-mod-attitude/619138/28 "2012-04-18T18:12:11Z")
um·brage \*noun \* \ˈəm-brij\ A feeling of pique, resentment, or sudden anger at being poked in the eyeball by the spiked rib of a carelessly opened umbrella ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2012, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-take-umbrage-with-both-this-warning-and-the-mod-attitude/619138/29 "2012-04-18T19:13:29Z")
I tried to take Umbrage. But I couldn’t find it on the map. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2012, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-take-umbrage-with-both-this-warning-and-the-mod-attitude/619138/30 "2012-04-18T19:32:24Z")
The OP had better give that umbrage back. It’s mother is going to be looking for it. ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2012, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-take-umbrage-with-both-this-warning-and-the-mod-attitude/619138/31 "2012-04-18T19:57:19Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > He didn’t call anyone a dick. He said **Askance** was _being_ a dick, and he was. That said, I wouldn’t have expected to get away with it. Whoa there, I’m sure you didn’t mean to do the same thing Martini Enfield did … did you? Just in case it needs to be restated, in ATMB and in all other forum areas not called The Pit, it is against the rules to call people derogatory names. As referring to someone as a dick is not a compliment, I don’t think you meant to do this or to go there. ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2012, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-take-umbrage-with-both-this-warning-and-the-mod-attitude/619138/32 "2012-04-18T20:19:14Z")
> [@FinnAgain](#): > > I wish that in GD especially people who should know better and still choose to use direct personal insults drew immediate Warnings and not just a polite request to tone it down if they feel like it, please, if it’s not too much trouble. ATMB too, it seems. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2012, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-take-umbrage-with-both-this-warning-and-the-mod-attitude/619138/33 "2012-04-18T20:27:54Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > The OP had better give that umbrage back. It’s mother is going to be looking for it. Mumbrage ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2012, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-take-umbrage-with-both-this-warning-and-the-mod-attitude/619138/34 "2012-04-18T20:40:30Z")
I took Umbrage but had to abandon it and retreat because of overextended supply lines. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2012, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-take-umbrage-with-both-this-warning-and-the-mod-attitude/619138/35 "2012-04-18T20:55:53Z")
I took umbrage with me to the movies last night. (didn’t put out, though) ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2012, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-take-umbrage-with-both-this-warning-and-the-mod-attitude/619138/36 "2012-04-18T21:07:54Z")
> [@Darth\_Panda](#): > > I took umbrage with me to the movies last night. Let me guess: umbragecore? What an annoying genre. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2012, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-take-umbrage-with-both-this-warning-and-the-mod-attitude/619138/37 "2012-04-18T23:07:29Z")
> [@TubaDiva](#): > > Whoa there, I’m sure you didn’t mean to do the same thing Martini Enfield did … did you? > > Just in case it needs to be restated, in ATMB and in all other forum areas not called The Pit, it is against the rules to call people derogatory names. As referring to someone as a dick is not a compliment, I don’t think you meant to do this or to go there. Well, not really, but in this particular case it’s kind of hard to discuss the topic at all without doing so unless one doesn’t think it was true. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2012, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-take-umbrage-with-both-this-warning-and-the-mod-attitude/619138/38 "2012-04-18T23:23:41Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > I tried to take Umbrage. But I couldn’t find it on the map. Go ask Dolores. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2012, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-take-umbrage-with-both-this-warning-and-the-mod-attitude/619138/39 "2012-04-18T23:49:52Z")
> [@TubaDiva](#): > > Whoa there, I’m sure you didn’t mean to do the same thing Martini Enfield did … did you? > > Just in case it needs to be restated, in ATMB and in all other forum areas not called The Pit, it is against the rules to call people derogatory names. As referring to someone as a dick is not a compliment, I don’t think you meant to do this or to go there. Is there ever a point where there is such overwhelming agreement as to the dickishness, that. . .n/m. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2012, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-take-umbrage-with-both-this-warning-and-the-mod-attitude/619138/40 "2012-04-19T00:09:36Z")
> [@TubaDiva](#): > > As referring to someone as a dick is not a compliment, I don’t think you meant to do this or to go there. I remain, as ever, completely befuddled how it is any more polite to insult the post instead of the poster. That being said, as the rules stand, Enfield hasn’t a leg to stand on. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-take-umbrage-with-both-this-warning-and-the-mod-attitude/619138.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-take-umbrage-with-both-this-warning-and-the-mod-attitude/619138.md?page=3)