# In The Next "Sure, There's No Bias" Segment **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [April 8, 2017, 10:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-next-sure-theres-no-bias-segment/784048 "2017-04-08T10:24:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2017, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-next-sure-theres-no-bias-segment/784048/121 "2017-04-12T03:56:31Z")
> [@Merneith](#): > > It’s that, but it’s also a continuation Bricker’s previously admitted attempt to get more conservative mods on the team. > > We had a whole thread a few years back prompted by Bricker and Shodan’s assertions that conservatives are being treated unfairly here - > > [**Should the SDMB have an affirmative action policy for the conservative minority?**](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=771389) > I’ll direct your attention to my post #40 in that thread, quoting Bricker saying that he was actively trying to get more conservative mods on the panel. > > [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=18755962&postcount=40](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=18755962&postcount=40) Gee whiz, Merneith, do you know of any relevant clarifications on this matter that you chose not to mention for undoubtedly honorable reasons? ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2017, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-next-sure-theres-no-bias-segment/784048/122 "2017-04-12T11:48:08Z")
An interesting aside; every board I’ve ever been on (including one I moderated) alleged moderator bias against conservatives. Obviously there’s a secret cabal. A moderator Illuminati, if you will. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2017, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-next-sure-theres-no-bias-segment/784048/123 "2017-04-12T12:27:40Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Gee whiz, Merneith, do you know of any relevant clarifications on this matter that you chose not to mention for undoubtedly honorable reasons? Not really. The last time you mentioned clarifications [you buggered up all the links.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=20113477&postcount=118) But forget the links. As I’ve said all along, I’m not interested in swapping text walls with you. I just want people to see your actions, specifically, the part where you said that you were trying to get conservative judges elected to the mod team: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=18752090&postcount=342](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=18752090&postcount=342) > [@Bricker](#): > > > [@Merneith](#): > > > > Or at the very least, trying to get some more conservative justices on the panel. > > This, yes. I’m glad that you agree that my quoting of your own admission is undoubtedly honorable. Indeed, what else could it be? ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2017, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-next-sure-theres-no-bias-segment/784048/124 "2017-04-12T13:24:26Z")
> [@Merneith](#): > > We had a whole thread a few years back prompted by Bricker and Shodan’s assertions that conservatives are being treated unfairly here - > > [**Should the SDMB have an affirmative action policy for the conservative minority?**](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=771389) > I’ll direct your attention to my post #40 in that thread, quoting Bricker saying that he was actively trying to get more conservative mods on the panel. > > [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=18755962&postcount=40](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=18755962&postcount=40) Preaching to the choir, buddy. 🙂 I honestly think he gets more than a fair shake - couple years back I reported him admitting to a violation of the board rules, and nothing happened. C’est la vie. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2017, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-next-sure-theres-no-bias-segment/784048/125 "2017-04-12T15:17:21Z")
> [@Merneith](#): > > I’m glad that you agree that my quoting of your own admission is undoubtedly honorable. Indeed, what else could it be? Incompetent. That is, a competent effort to show my words would include subsequent posts that were directly material to the point you were making. Your effort is undoubtedly honorable, but lacks that basic competence. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2017, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-next-sure-theres-no-bias-segment/784048/126 "2017-04-12T15:22:31Z")
For those wondering, here is the quote I argue is relevant, from that same thread: > [@Bricker](#): > > I am actually arguing for the existence of the inequitable treatment; the recruitment of a more politically balanced moderation staff is one possible cure and I am not arguing for it specifically. ---
**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 12, 2017, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-next-sure-theres-no-bias-segment/784048/127 "2017-04-12T15:42:48Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > For those wondering, here is the quote I argue is relevant, from that same thread: Not really relevant. Saying that it was not the only solution doesn’t mean you didn’t advocate it, which is what **Merneith** said. Do you no longer advocate that as a remedy (even if not an exclusive one)? ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2017, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-next-sure-theres-no-bias-segment/784048/128 "2017-04-13T00:52:03Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Not really relevant. Saying that it was not the only solution doesn’t mean you didn’t advocate it, which is what **Merneith** said. > > Do you no longer advocate that as a remedy (even if not an exclusive one)? I think it’s a possible remedy, but I am not advocating it now, and never specifically did advocate it. ---
**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 13, 2017, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-next-sure-theres-no-bias-segment/784048/129 "2017-04-13T03:40:04Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > I think it’s a possible remedy, but I am not advocating it now, and never specifically did advocate it. Yes you did, in the post **Merenieth** quoted in post #123. Denying you said what you said is not effective when the post itself is available. But I suspect you will contend that you didn’t actually mean what you said. In any case, if you are so concerned about bias, why aren’t you advocating that? ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2017, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-next-sure-theres-no-bias-segment/784048/130 "2017-04-13T04:22:28Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Yes you did, in the post **Merenieth** quoted in post #123. > > Denying you said what you said is not effective when the post itself is available. But I suspect you will contend that you didn’t actually mean what you said. No, didn’t say it, and Merneith never quoted me saying it. Merneith quoted me responding with two words to something **Merneith** said. Later in that same thread, [this discussion](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=18753051&postcount=376) about that response occurred: > [@Merneith](#): > > Oh, I have no doubt that, should the board turn to you in our hour of need, and you be called upon to correct the alleged tragic lack of conservative representation on our moderation panel, you would accept the mantle with only the heaviest of hearts. > [@Bricker](#): > > You should acquire some doubt, then, because as I clearly and unambiguously explained, I would not. > [@Merneith](#): > > Yes, of course. You think conservatives should be appointed moderators so that they can start protecting conservative posters. I just want to state clearly that this is your end game. > > You’re not having a hypothetical discussion. You actually want moderators to be chosen to favor your conservative political bent. That’s what you’re actually arguing for. > [@bricker](#): > > Yes, that’s a somewhat accurate statement. I believe that conservatives get the short end of the stick here, and I believe one method to reverse that inequity would be more conservative moderators. I say “somewhat” because I think that “that’s what you actually arguing for” is not a fair summary. I am actually arguing for the existence of the inequitable treatment; the recruitment of a more politically balanced moderation staff is one possible cure and I am not arguing for it specifically. My clear mistake there was the reasonableness of my reply. By saying “Yes, that’s a somewhat accurate statement,” I allowed **Merneith** the opportunity to selectively edit the conversation by stopping there. This is an incompetent editing choice, however (although undoubtedly completely honest) because the decision to eliminate the words that followed changes the meaning of the overall message. Having read the entire summary, **Colibri** , and mindful of your claims that you are not biased against me, do you still say I argued specifically for adding more conservative moderators? ---
**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:** [April 13, 2017, 10:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-next-sure-theres-no-bias-segment/784048/131 "2017-04-13T10:33:23Z")
I’m surprised you’re not advocating for that. I personally would like to see more female moderators. Moderator diversity is a good thing. ---
**Author:** ![Revenant\_Threshold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2017, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-next-sure-theres-no-bias-segment/784048/132 "2017-04-13T12:57:58Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > If we move it to its own thread and make it a “I support/I don’t support” poll question, what is your best guess as to the results? Pretty mysterious, no possible guesses? You claimed that it “was a statement that enjoyed strong support from the liberal majority”. I demonstrated that that was false. If you would prefer to have said “If polled, my best guess is this statement would get strong agreement from the board”, then I agree that’s a less factually incorrect statement given there are no facts to check, but it isn’t what you said. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2017, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-next-sure-theres-no-bias-segment/784048/133 "2017-04-13T13:11:41Z")
"I think X is a problem that should be addressed. “Y is a possible solution to this problem. I have no other suggestions.” But no one is to deduce from this that you might be advocating for Y? ---
**Author:** ![watchwolf49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9c0ed/32.png) [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2017, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-next-sure-theres-no-bias-segment/784048/134 "2017-04-13T14:16:30Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > I’m surprised you’re not advocating for that. I personally would like to see more female moderators. Moderator diversity is a good thing. I’d like to see more species diversity on the moderator staff … **Wolfpup** would be an excellent addition IMEIO … ---
**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 13, 2017, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-next-sure-theres-no-bias-segment/784048/135 "2017-04-13T14:25:32Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Having read the entire summary, **Colibri** , and mindful of your claims that you are not biased against me, do you still say I argued specifically for adding more conservative moderators? You’re moving the goalposts by asking if you “argued specifically” for that. You clearly agreed with that proposition. Furiously backpedaling later does not change that. Once again, given your crusade against bias, why don’t you advocate that position? Please present your arguments against it if you don’t actually support it. ---
**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:** [April 13, 2017, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-next-sure-theres-no-bias-segment/784048/136 "2017-04-13T14:38:06Z")
> [@watchwolf49](#): > > I’d like to see more species diversity on the moderator staff … **Wolfpup** would be an excellent addition IMEIO … Clearly you are _lupine_ biased. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2017, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-next-sure-theres-no-bias-segment/784048/137 "2017-04-13T14:46:58Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > Clearly you are _lupine_ biased. Can’t blame him, we don’t want this to turn into a cathouse. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2017, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-next-sure-theres-no-bias-segment/784048/138 "2017-04-13T15:10:56Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > You’re moving the goalposts by asking if you “argued specifically” for that. You clearly agreed with that proposition. Furiously backpedaling later does not change that. Merneith’s summary: > [@](#): > > quoting Bricker saying that he was actively trying to get more conservative mods on the panel. You moved the goalposts here by claiming that this is satisfied by my “agreement” with what Merneith posted. Frankly, I’d say that bias and hostility from you is evident in this exchange. It’s clear what both of my posts said. People reading this – does **Colibri** ’s summary of my words and stance seem like a fair-minded one? Does **Merneith** ’s? > [@](#): > > Once again, given your crusade against bias, why don’t you advocate that position? Please present your arguments against it if you don’t actually support it. The reason I don’t is that in my opinion, the cure is worse than the disease. Beyond that, I suspect that any statement I make will be selectively quoted; i.e., “I support more conservative moderators but as a result of more organic balance that the SDMB reaches as the result of awareness of the extant biased environment,” which you and Merneith would then gleefully summarize as “Bricker specifically supports more conservative moderators! Told ya!” Note that the foregoing is an illustrative example, not necessarily my actual position. Not that I expect such a disclaimer will stop everyone. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2017, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-next-sure-theres-no-bias-segment/784048/139 "2017-04-13T15:33:49Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Once again, given your crusade against bias, why don’t you advocate that position? Please present your arguments against it if you don’t actually support it. Now you want him to argue against a position he doesn’t support? If you are against bias, why don’t you argue in favor of it? Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2017, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-next-sure-theres-no-bias-segment/784048/140 "2017-04-13T16:00:24Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > That is, a competent effort to show my words would include subsequent posts that were directly material to the point you were making. Nonsense. It’s not my responsibility to demonstrate that your plain “yes”, didn’t really mean, “yes”, nor am I (nor anyone else in this thread) obligated to consider your subsequent “yes, but …” to carry the same weight as your plain affirmation. “Yes … but only really sort of kinda yes” is neither a clarification nor a refutation. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-next-sure-theres-no-bias-segment/784048.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-next-sure-theres-no-bias-segment/784048.md?page=8)