# Idle Thoughts is wrong. Again. **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [March 12, 2016, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idle-thoughts-is-wrong-again/748786 "2016-03-12T20:30:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**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:** [March 12, 2016, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idle-thoughts-is-wrong-again/748786/1 "2016-03-12T20:30:57Z")
> [@MLB Hot Stove / Offseason 2015-2016](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/314): > > You know that dale has a topic ban on this issue so quit trying to provoke him into replying. Drop the subject with him in this topic beyond this post, please. You are incorrect. His topic ban is for the subject of rape allegations. [Cite.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=18717946#post18717946) > [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > After a discussion with the other mods, I have lifted dalej42’s suspension. > > We have also decided the following: > > 1. The original warning stands. > 2. dalej42 is now topic banned from _ **all topics involving rape allegations** _. This applies to all SDMB forums. Emphasis mine. I did not mention rape, or rape allegations. Furthermore, if you’re going to define his ban as anything associated with domestic violence, why didn’t he get a warning for a [post](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=19125428#post19125428) criticizing MLB’s decision to suspend a player for domestic violence? ---
**Author:** ![Ibn\_Warraq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e19b73/32.png) [@Ibn\_Warraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibn_Warraq)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2016, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idle-thoughts-is-wrong-again/748786/2 "2016-03-12T20:39:44Z")
You seem to be conceding or are at least not denying that you were deliberately trying to provoke Dale. Mods do regularly ask posters to not bait others so perhaps Idle Thoughts may have mistakenly thought the ban was still in effect when it wasn’t, but his/her admonition to you to stop baiting Dale strikes me as quite proper. ---
**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:** [March 12, 2016, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idle-thoughts-is-wrong-again/748786/3 "2016-03-12T20:44:36Z")
> [@Ibn\_Warraq](#): > > You seem to be conceding or are at least not denying that you were deliberately trying to provoke Dale. I was not baiting him. I was making a direct observation about his tendencies in discussions about sports and the behavior of athletes, in direct response to a post he made prior to mine. > [@Ibn\_Warraq](#): > > Mods do regularly ask posters to not bait others so perhaps Idle Thoughts may have mistakenly thought the ban was still in effect when it wasn’t, but his/her admonition to you to stop baiting Dale strikes me as quite proper. The ban IS still in effect, but it is, as i clearly demonstrated in the OP, a ban about “topics involving rape allegations.” If mods are going to apply the ban to all sorts of other issues, then those issues need to be listed and included in the ruling. ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2016, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idle-thoughts-is-wrong-again/748786/4 "2016-03-12T20:50:42Z")
His topic ban includes all talking or hijacking threads with females accusing sports players of crimes, despite what that exact post says, and you were deliberately provoking him in that post. The mod note stands, I’m sorry. You’re trying to feign ignorance and pretend you weren’t doing anything wrong here, but no matter how much you are going to twist the past posts to try to show I’m mistaken, it’s apparent to all of the mods what you were trying to do there. It’s equivalent to parents telling one brother to stop touching the other brother in the backseat of the car on a long trip. The brother finding a loophole and holding one finger away from the other’s face while claiming “I’m not touching him, I’m not touching him… What? I’m not touching him! You said I’d only get into trouble if I touched him”. That defense isn’t going to work here. ---
**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:** [March 12, 2016, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idle-thoughts-is-wrong-again/748786/5 "2016-03-12T20:54:51Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > I was not baiting him. I was making a direct observation about his tendencies in discussions about sports and the behavior of athletes, in direct response to a post he made prior to mine. > > The ban IS still in effect, but it is, as i clearly demonstrated in the OP, a ban about “topics involving rape allegations.” If mods are going to apply the ban to all sorts of other issues, then those issues need to be listed and included in the ruling. You were very clearly being a jerk, which is against the rules in any circumstances. You were attempting to goad another poster on a subject on which you are well aware is a hot button issue with him. ---
**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:** [March 12, 2016, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idle-thoughts-is-wrong-again/748786/6 "2016-03-12T20:55:40Z")
> [@Idle\_Thoughts](#): > > His topic ban includes all talking or hijacking threads with females accusing sports players of crimes, despite what that exact post says, and you were deliberately provoking him in that post. The mod note stands, I’m sorry. Really? That’s your answer? “Despite what the actual ruling says, in clear and unambiguous English, we are extending the ruling to a whole bunch of other things that are not mentioned in the ruling. This despite the fact that the ruling itself was presented by a moderator as a final and definitive decision on a topic that had been discussed in an ATMB thread for three pages.” > [@Idle\_Thoughts](#): > > You’re trying to feign ignorance and pretend you weren’t doing anything wrong here, but no matter how much you are going to twist the past posts to try to show I’m mistaken, it’s apparent to all of the mods what you were trying to do there. I was making a point about his general attitude to evaluations of player behavior in professional sports, including on-the-field and off-the-field behavior. If that is not allowed, then make a fucking ruling to that effect. ---
**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:** [March 12, 2016, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idle-thoughts-is-wrong-again/748786/7 "2016-03-12T20:57:27Z")
By the way, are you going to go back and give **dalej42** a warning for making a comment about an MLB ruling on a domestic violence incident? That would, at least, have the virtue of alleviating your hypocrisy on this issue. ---
**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:** [March 12, 2016, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idle-thoughts-is-wrong-again/748786/8 "2016-03-12T21:07:52Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > If that is not allowed, then make a fucking ruling to that effect. **Moderator Note** ATMB is for civil discussion of the rules. Let’s keep it so. ---
**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:** [March 14, 2016, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idle-thoughts-is-wrong-again/748786/9 "2016-03-14T02:42:38Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > **Moderator Note** > > ATMB is for civil discussion of the rules. Let’s keep it so. I don’t think ascribing motives to mhendo’s posts with dale is all that civil, nor is the moderators’ complete avoidance of the actual ruling they gave back in September. Maybe _everyone_ could dial it back a notch, eh? ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2016, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idle-thoughts-is-wrong-again/748786/10 "2016-03-14T04:27:52Z")
In the interest of full disclosure, **mhendo** , I was the one who reported that post. I did so because your comments were over the line (in my opinion). To a poster who can’t reply back to defend himself, you [said](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=19174022&postcount=313): > [@mhendo](#): > > I’m sure that back in Gossage’s day, they could probably also whack a girlfriend or two without it making the news or getting them suspended. No wonder you’re on board with him. Again, just my opinion, but that was needlessly harsh and condescending. I felt that you were breaking the rule about being a jerk, and insulting other posters. So, if you want to get pissed off at someone, get pissed at me. She ( **Idle Thoughts** is a woman, correct?) only moderated it because I asked a mod to do so, and she got the short straw. ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2016, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idle-thoughts-is-wrong-again/748786/11 "2016-03-14T05:35:48Z")
I’m actually a guy, although I am known for the April fools joke I pulled where I had messaged people saying I was really female. Also, that post by **mhendo** wasn’t just reported by you, **Superdude** , not by a long shot (if it makes you feel any better). Yours wasn’t even the first or last. ---
**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:** [March 14, 2016, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idle-thoughts-is-wrong-again/748786/12 "2016-03-14T05:50:58Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > I don’t think ascribing motives to mhendo’s posts with dale is all that civil, nor is the moderators’ complete avoidance of the actual ruling they gave back in September. Maybe _everyone_ could dial it back a notch, eh? Haven’t you noticed? That rule is selectively enforced at best. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2016, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idle-thoughts-is-wrong-again/748786/13 "2016-03-14T05:53:23Z")
Here’s **RickJay** s OP:\*Carlos Carrasco is a terrific pitcher. He’s pitched well for two years now and I’ve no reason to think he won’t keep doing it. Salazar is just a bit behind Carrasco but younger, Bauer has all the potential in the world (though that comment is troubling in one way, at least he knows it’s a problem, and his saying it is suggestive of his intention to fix it; most people who are lazy do not know they are lazy) and Kluber pitched very well in 2015 but lost 16 games because Cleveland never scored when he pitched. What’s NOT to like about the rotation? Whose is better in the AL? I mean, they’re pitchers, so you never know when the ol’ rotator cuff will catch fire, but still.\* Pretty much your line: " …, \*they could probably also whack a girlfriend or two without it making the news or getting them suspended. No wonder you’re on board with him." \*can’t be thought of as anything but either threadshiting or baiting or both. Nothing in that thread \*remotely \*leads to killing girlfriends. ---
**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:** [March 14, 2016, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idle-thoughts-is-wrong-again/748786/14 "2016-03-14T05:54:29Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > I don’t think ascribing motives to mhendo’s posts with dale is all that civil, The post wasn’t civil regardless of what the motivation was. > [@](#): > > Maybe _everyone_ could dial it back a notch, eh? I’m glad that you agree that ATMB should be kept civil. I take it this means that you will be unfailingly civil in ATMB in the future, then. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2016, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idle-thoughts-is-wrong-again/748786/15 "2016-03-14T06:02:15Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > In the interest of full disclosure, **mhendo** , I was the one who reported that post. I did so because your comments were over the line (in my opinion). To a poster who can’t reply back to defend himself, you [said](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=19174022&postcount=313): > > Again, just my opinion, but that was needlessly harsh and condescending. I felt that you were breaking the rule about being a jerk, and insulting other posters. So, if you want to get pissed off at someone, get pissed at me. She ( **Idle Thoughts** is a woman, correct?) only moderated it because I asked a mod to do so, and she got the short straw. Totally forgot to say that, in my last post, the underlining in the quote was me adding emphasis. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Wayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4bbf92/32.png) [@Charlie\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Wayne)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2016, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idle-thoughts-is-wrong-again/748786/16 "2016-03-14T06:32:53Z")
I would be very surprised if Idle Thoughts is female. It really should not matter at all. But Idle Thoughts recently started a thread asking people about how much they weigh and I would be very surprised if it was a lady who did that. Seems very much out of character for a female to do that. But, after all, who can really know for sure? I suppose, no one can ever really know fer sure about such things. All the messages I’ve ever read that were posted by Idle Thoughts seemed to me as if they were written by a male. But, you just never can tell, I suppose. Can you? ---
**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:** [March 14, 2016, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idle-thoughts-is-wrong-again/748786/17 "2016-03-14T06:52:41Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > I’m glad that you agree that ATMB should be kept civil. I take it this means that you will be unfailingly civil in ATMB in the future, then. The tone of this comment fails any definition of civility I am aware of. ---
**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:** [March 14, 2016, 10:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idle-thoughts-is-wrong-again/748786/18 "2016-03-14T10:31:32Z")
> [@Charlie\_Wayne](#): > > I suppose, no one can ever really know fer sure about such things. All the messages I’ve ever read that were posted by Idle Thoughts seemed to me as if they were written by a male. But, you just never can tell, I suppose. Can you? You could take one for the team and acquire some of his/her DNA. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2016, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idle-thoughts-is-wrong-again/748786/19 "2016-03-14T12:03:50Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Here’s **RickJay** s OP:\*Carlos Carrasco is a terrific pitcher. He’s pitched well for two years now and I’ve no reason to think he won’t keep doing it. Salazar is just a bit behind Carrasco but younger, Bauer has all the potential in the world (though that comment is troubling in one way, at least he knows it’s a problem, and his saying it is suggestive of his intention to fix it; most people who are lazy do not know they are lazy) and Kluber pitched very well in 2015 but lost 16 games because Cleveland never scored when he pitched. > > What’s NOT to like about the rotation? Whose is better in the AL? I mean, they’re pitchers, so you never know when the ol’ rotator cuff will catch fire, but still.\* > > Pretty much your line: " …, \*they could probably also whack a girlfriend or two without it making the news or getting them suspended. No wonder you’re on board with him." \*can’t be thought of as anything but either threadshiting or baiting or both. > > Nothing in that thread \*remotely \*leads to killing girlfriends. Dude, that’s not the OP. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2016, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idle-thoughts-is-wrong-again/748786/20 "2016-03-14T12:48:56Z")
> [@Charlie\_Wayne](#): > > I would be very surprised if Idle Thoughts is female. It really should not matter at all. But Idle Thoughts recently started a thread asking people about how much they weigh and I would be very surprised if it was a lady who did that. Seems very much out of character for a female to do that. But, after all, who can really know for sure? > > I suppose, no one can ever really know fer sure about such things. All the messages I’ve ever read that were posted by Idle Thoughts seemed to me as if they were written by a male. But, you just never can tell, I suppose. Can you? The gender of **Idle Thoughts** _is_ immaterial to the topic at hand. I just wanted to use the correct pronoun. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idle-thoughts-is-wrong-again/748786.md?page=2)