# IMHO **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [February 17, 2014, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/imho/681530 "2014-02-17T07:34:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2014, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/imho/681530/61 "2014-02-17T22:56:15Z")
I’m surprised the thread isn’t closed yet. **Robert163** , with regards to the original thread in IMHO, that thread was supposed to be a list of arguments that nontheists find annoying, not a debate about the merits of any or all of those arguments. You wanted to debate the merits of the arguments, and turn the thread into a religious debate. You were hijacking the thread topic. **Idle Thoughts** made a general comment in post 113 to get everyone to drop the debate in that thread and return to the original IMHO topic. He also called out a couple of specific posts for specific infractions. Yours was one, and another poster for insults. You then continued the debate and arguing with the moderator with respect to the instructions you were given. That is also a rules violation. **Idle Thoughts** showed considerable leniency in that thread with multiple moderator instructions and no Warnings for failing to comply and continuing to argue the point in the thread. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2014, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/imho/681530/62 "2014-02-17T23:27:36Z")
> [@Smeghead](#): > > Robert, you have made it abundantly clear that you disagree with the standards and rules of this message board, as well as how they are enforced. That’s fine. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. However, those things are not going to change because you disagree with them. True. After all, whoever heard of _Robert’s_ rules of order? ---
**Author:** ![BrianJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/54ee81/32.png) [@BrianJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrianJ)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2014, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/imho/681530/63 "2014-02-18T00:05:51Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > As far as I can tell the OP believes: > > [ul][li]That as a newbie he deserves special consideration,[/li][li]though he joined in 2005,[/li][li]and made some 130 posts in 2012,[/li][li]which is far back enough so that he shouldn’t be expected to remember the rules.[/li][li]Furthermore he argues that the rules are ill-conceived,[/li][li]and argues the point vociferously,[/li][li]over many posts,[/li][li]though he is a newbie,[/li][li]who deserves special consideration. [/li][li]In particular he believes he has been treated in a condescending fashion,[/li][li]which he thinks is wrong,[/li][li]so he calls other posters stupid,[/li][li]outside of the BBQ pit,[/li][li]using non-standard punctuation,[/li][li]and believes such labels properly apply to other posters.[/li][li]So he should be permitted to call other posters stupid outside of the BBQ pit,[/li][li]and barring that he will endeavor to skirt the rules.[/li][/ul] I opine that knowledge of oneself is a virtue. I joined in 2004, posted for a few months and then didn’t come back until late last year. and I remember/understand the rules just fine. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Flywheel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Flywheel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flywheel)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2014, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/imho/681530/64 "2014-02-18T00:10:29Z")
[A cautionary tale.](http://www.theonion.com/articles/people-dont-like-it-when-you-call-them-stupid,10823/) ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2014, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/imho/681530/65 "2014-02-18T02:25:37Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > [ul] > [li]using non-standard punctuation,[/li] > [/ul] Sometimes. I’ve found this part the oddest. I don’t know many people who sometimes use proper capitalization and punctuation, and sometimes completely ignore both. Maybe it’s a computer vs phone thing. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2014, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/imho/681530/66 "2014-02-18T02:41:40Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > Or someone hacked a rarely used password and decided to use it to mess with us. Interestingly, he hasn’t been active on the board since this was posted. ---
**Author:** ![emcee2k](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@emcee2k](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emcee2k)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2014, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/imho/681530/67 "2014-02-18T07:52:25Z")
So the whole “snark vs insults” thing… You see, they don’t actually care if the users are complete dicks to each other, they just want them to keep it high brow. Calling someone stupid can earn you a warning, but if you can heavily imply it with a clever turn of phrase, you’re golden. And everyone gets to have a laugh at the targets expense. So it’s win-win. Well, win for everyone except that one guy. But who cares about him? He’s stupid. Still, a little snark keeps the discussions lively. Name-calling is boring. Everyone can try rationalizing it, but that’s the real reason the rules are the way they are. Those who stick around and become regulars seem to like it that way, so they’re not going to change it for you. So I guess you can either learn to play along, or move along. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2014, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/imho/681530/68 "2014-02-18T17:01:50Z")
Well, I guess that’s it for another 9 years. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2014, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/imho/681530/69 "2014-02-18T17:03:46Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > Well, I guess that’s it for another 9 years. He’s still posting. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2014, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/imho/681530/70 "2014-02-18T18:37:34Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > He’s still posting. Yeah, but I guess his heart really isn’t in it. ---
**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:** [February 18, 2014, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/imho/681530/71 "2014-02-18T20:06:04Z")
> [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](#): > > Sometimes. I’ve found this part the oddest. I don’t know many people who sometimes use proper capitalization and punctuation, and sometimes completely ignore both. Maybe it’s a computer vs phone thing. Most smartphones can automatically capitalize the first letter of words that begin sentences. They can also insert periods at the ends of sentences with an extra tap on the space bar. They can also automatically insert apostrophes into contractions such as “can’t” and “won’t.” I typed this on my iPhone and it took practically no effort to use proper capitalization and punctuation. It also corrects my spelling and auto completes lengthy words. ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2014, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/imho/681530/72 "2014-02-19T02:38:14Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > Most smartphones can automatically capitalize the first letter of words that begin sentences. They can also insert periods at the ends of sentences with an extra tap on the space bar. They can also automatically insert apostrophes into contractions such as “can’t” and “won’t.” I typed this on my iPhone and it took practically no effort to use proper capitalization and punctuation. It also corrects my spelling and auto completes lengthy words. Maybe he never uses punctuation, and his phone is correcting for it, but his desktop lets the original through? It’s still an odd behavior to me. ---
**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:** [February 20, 2014, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/imho/681530/73 "2014-02-20T23:34:50Z")
> [@emcee2k](#): > > So the whole “snark vs insults” thing… You see, they don’t actually care if the users are complete dicks to each other, they just want them to keep it high brow. Calling someone stupid can earn you a warning, but if you can heavily imply it with a clever turn of phrase, you’re golden. And everyone gets to have a laugh at the targets expense. So it’s win-win. Well, win for everyone except that one guy. But who cares about him? He’s stupid. > > Still, a little snark keeps the discussions lively. Name-calling is boring. Everyone can try rationalizing it, but that’s the real reason the rules are the way they are. Those who stick around and become regulars seem to like it that way, so they’re not going to change it for you. So I guess you can either learn to play along, or move along. This is pretty snarky all by itself and reminds us, as the blues song says, “Before you accuse me, take a look at yourself.” It’s also quite the mischaracterization of situations here. It is entirely your opinion, but it’s not a factual statement. Last time, let’s keep this civil. And a reminder: If you have a personal beef with another poster, you need to express said beef in The BBQ Pit. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2014, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/imho/681530/74 "2014-02-21T01:56:37Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > It’s almost a poem. Needs more cranes and cherry trees, IMO. A reference to _Interesting Times_, perhaps? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2014, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/imho/681530/75 "2014-02-21T02:00:20Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > True. After all, whoever heard of _Robert’s_ rules of order? There was a time when I was appointed “Parliamentarian” of a teen youth group I was in. I was judge and keeper of the copy of Robert’s Rules of Order. The coolest rule I found was the one that said “A motion to adjourn is never out of order.” ---
**Author:** ![Billdo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/billdo/32/315_2.png) [@Billdo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billdo)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2014, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/imho/681530/76 "2014-02-21T02:52:13Z")
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > There was a time when I was appointed “Parliamentarian” of a teen youth group I was in. I was judge and keeper of the copy of Robert’s Rules of Order. The coolest rule I found was the one that said “A motion to adjourn is never out of order.” Then I move to adjourn this thread! ---
**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:** [February 21, 2014, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/imho/681530/77 "2014-02-21T05:17:36Z")
Seconded. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2014, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/imho/681530/78 "2014-02-21T05:48:13Z")
Point of order!! Can we hold off voting on the motion on the floor until **Mangetout** answers my question? ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2014, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/imho/681530/79 "2014-02-21T05:55:53Z")
A motion has been made and seconded. We will now entertain discussion. ---
**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:** [February 21, 2014, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/imho/681530/80 "2014-02-21T11:52:02Z")
> [@](#): > > You’re out of order! You’re out of order! The whole trial is out of order! They’re out of order! That man, that sick, crazy, depraved man, raped and beat that woman there, and he’d like to do it again! He _told_ me so! It’s just a show! It’s a show! It’s “Let’s Make A Deal”! “Let’s Make A Deal”! Hey Frank, you wanna “Make A Deal”? I got an insane judge who likes to beat the shit out of women! Whaddya wanna gimme Frank, 3 weeks probation? … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/imho/681530.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/imho/681530.md?page=5)