# Is a Moderator allowed to attack a poster like this? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [October 30, 2016, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-moderator-allowed-to-attack-a-poster-like-this/770090 "2016-10-30T04:52:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2016, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-moderator-allowed-to-attack-a-poster-like-this/770090/21 "2016-10-30T20:16:47Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > I suppose I should give an actual explanation. It’s Halloween, after all, and I guess my costume this year is a competent moderator. > > The moderators are expected to follow the same general rules as the other posters on the board. This includes not insulting posters outside the Pit - but, just like any other poster, also includes the ability to insult other posters so long as it’s in the Pit - and, of course, it’s within the specific guidelines of the BBQ Pit forum. So long as a moderator is posting as a poster, you are free to respond to them in kind. If you want to go back in that thread and call me an asshole, you are absolutely free to do that, and you will receive absolutely no sanction or punishment for sassing me just because I’m a mod. > > The exception, here, is that if I am posting as a mod, you can’t back talk me. (Well, you can, but that’s when I start handing out warnings.) The flip side of this, obviously, is that I can’t insult people when I’m acting as a moderator, which is something I _almost_ never screw up. I make a point to use [Moderating] tags for anything I post as a moderator, so you know when it’s safe to call me an asshole or not. > > I’m aware that there’s an argument out there that moderators should sacrifice some of their freedom as members when they become moderators. Pit mods shouldn’t get to insult users, GD mods shouldn’t take side in debates, and so forth. The logic there’s really strong. One problem: finding people willing to take the job under those conditions. We’re all volunteers, here - except **Idle Thoughts** , who’s technically a sort of indentured servant. I got placed as the Pit mod because that’s one of my favorite forums on the board. If a condition of being a mod there is that I can’t participate in the forum, then I don’t want the job. And the fact that it’s my favorite forum is part of what makes me most suitable to moderate that forum. It’s been suggested that maybe mods don’t mod forums they like, but I think I’d be a horror show if placed in charge of MPSIMS, and I hate to think what having to mod the Pit would do to poor **IvoryTowerDenizen**. > > So, you get the present situation, where mods are allowed to be just as socially unaccpetable to you in the Pit, as you get to be to everyone else. It’s a bit of a hack but it’s served us pretty well since… ever, really. Anyway, if you have any other rules-related questions, I’m happy to answer them here. If you’d prefer to resort to swearing at each other, I am at your service in the thread in question. And yet there are Mods who refrain from personal attacks in the Pit, so they are not impossible to find. ---
**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:** [October 30, 2016, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-moderator-allowed-to-attack-a-poster-like-this/770090/22 "2016-10-30T20:48:21Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > The settings here prevent you from putting a moderator on ignore. And, unfortunately, we’re not able to put any posters on ignore.😉 > [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > And yet there are Mods who refrain from personal attacks in the Pit, so they are not impossible to find. Except that none of those moderators are willing to moderate the Pit, which was **Miller’s** point. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2016, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-moderator-allowed-to-attack-a-poster-like-this/770090/23 "2016-10-30T21:31:30Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > And yet there are Mods who refrain from personal attacks in the Pit, so they are not impossible to find. Hey everybody, it looks like we found our new Pit Mode. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2016, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-moderator-allowed-to-attack-a-poster-like-this/770090/24 "2016-10-30T22:52:23Z")
Mods can’t put regular posters on Ignore. Regular posters can’t put Mods on ignore. Can Mods put other Mods on Ignore? ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2016, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-moderator-allowed-to-attack-a-poster-like-this/770090/25 "2016-10-30T23:03:18Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Mods can’t put regular posters on Ignore. Regular posters can’t put Mods on ignore. Can Mods put other Mods on Ignore? Apparently not. I’m destined to continue to see **IvoryTowerDenizen** ’s posts, unfortunately. 🙂 ---
**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:** [October 30, 2016, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-moderator-allowed-to-attack-a-poster-like-this/770090/26 "2016-10-30T23:05:55Z")
Someone talking in here? Hmmmm. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2016, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-moderator-allowed-to-attack-a-poster-like-this/770090/27 "2016-10-30T23:06:34Z")
> [@Asimovian](#): > > Apparently not. I’m destined to continue to see **IvoryTowerDenizen** ’s posts, unfortunately. 🙂 So, has a mod ever pitted a mod? ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2016, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-moderator-allowed-to-attack-a-poster-like-this/770090/28 "2016-10-30T23:13:04Z")
Are Mods allowed to date each other? > [@Riemann](#): > > So, has a mod ever pitted a mod? Only if they use [one of these](https://www.amazon.com/OXO-Grips-Olive-Cherry-Pitter/dp/B000NQ925K) is that allowed. ---
**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:** [October 30, 2016, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-moderator-allowed-to-attack-a-poster-like-this/770090/29 "2016-10-30T23:32:58Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > So, has a mod ever pitted a mod? Asimovian and Miller keep it up and we’ll see. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2016, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-moderator-allowed-to-attack-a-poster-like-this/770090/30 "2016-10-30T23:49:52Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > Asimovian and Miller keep it up and we’ll see. > > 🙂 I take it the winner strips the loser of his/her jackboots as a trophy? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2016, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-moderator-allowed-to-attack-a-poster-like-this/770090/31 "2016-10-31T00:07:20Z")
With their _teeth_. ---
**Author:** ![HeXen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@HeXen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeXen)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2016, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-moderator-allowed-to-attack-a-poster-like-this/770090/32 "2016-10-31T00:13:27Z")
That’s nothing. I was once at a forum where a moderator had edited my post to make it look like I was saying something else which was against the rules, then another moderator banned me for a few days. lol Seriously though, stop caring what others say, either you agree or don’t but never, ever let words bother you. ---
**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:** [October 31, 2016, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-moderator-allowed-to-attack-a-poster-like-this/770090/33 "2016-10-31T00:17:45Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > So, has a mod ever pitted a mod? Mods aren’t allowed to Pit anyone. (That is, start a Pit thread about another poster. We can participate in ones that already exist.) ---
**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:** [October 31, 2016, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-moderator-allowed-to-attack-a-poster-like-this/770090/34 "2016-10-31T00:49:56Z")
Making Pit threads that aren’t about members of these boards is okay, though. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2016, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-moderator-allowed-to-attack-a-poster-like-this/770090/35 "2016-10-31T01:01:49Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > So, has a mod ever pitted a mod? Mods have had public fights, but not for years. The two that come to mind (and I’m not taking any sides) are: Dex/Euty Jillgat/Melin The Jillgat/Melin one was from like 2001 and the Euty/Dex one was maybe a couple years later so it hasn’t happened for a while. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2016, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-moderator-allowed-to-attack-a-poster-like-this/770090/36 "2016-10-31T01:02:44Z")
> [@Idle\_Thoughts](#): > > Making Pit threads that aren’t about members of these boards is okay, though. So, technically, a Mod can ban someone, then start a Pit thread about what an asshat they were! 🙂 ---
**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:** [October 31, 2016, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-moderator-allowed-to-attack-a-poster-like-this/770090/37 "2016-10-31T01:10:13Z")
I feel like you guys really want to see a mod fight! ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2016, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-moderator-allowed-to-attack-a-poster-like-this/770090/38 "2016-10-31T01:10:18Z")
> [@Fenris](#): > > Mods have had public fights, but not for years. The two that come to mind (and I’m not taking any sides) are: > > Dex/Euty > Jillgat/Melin > > The Jillgat/Melin one was from like 2001 and the Euty/Dex one was maybe a couple years later so it hasn’t happened for a while. In truth, we’re generally very collegial. It’s an era of good feelings. ---
**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:** [October 31, 2016, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-moderator-allowed-to-attack-a-poster-like-this/770090/39 "2016-10-31T01:13:16Z")
[There was this huge mod fight in the Pit, made by another mod (Cajun Man) against an admin (Dex)](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=365455&highlight=fools+april), does that count? It was between all of the main mods and admins at the time… …made on April 1st. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2016, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-moderator-allowed-to-attack-a-poster-like-this/770090/40 "2016-10-31T01:14:06Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > I feel like you guys really want to see a mod fight! I think that pretty much goes without saying. We were just trying to figure out the right forum and the ground rules. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-moderator-allowed-to-attack-a-poster-like-this/770090.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-moderator-allowed-to-attack-a-poster-like-this/770090.md?page=3)