# Is There A Board Policy About Approving Donation Request Threads? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [March 25, 2015, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-board-policy-about-approving-donation-request-threads/715913 "2015-03-25T01:48:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**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:** [March 26, 2015, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-board-policy-about-approving-donation-request-threads/715913/101 "2015-03-26T20:29:44Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > No, it’s because **Fenris** has a history of bringing it up and twisting the facts for shits ‘n’ giggles. IOW, trolling. > > Notice he hasn’t mentioned the fact that no money was ever transferred out of PayPal until the senders received their refunds? Apparently he thinks that is a lie, even though such a lie is illogical. All it takes is those who honestly sent money to claim they got it back in a separate transaction rather than a straight refund. > > I did not remove money from PayPal the first chance I got, or even at all, ergo there was no “scam”. > > The bunny has been dead for three weeks, cause unknown. I do not need this crap now. Or any other time, for that matter. THEN STOP ASSOCIATING YOURSELF WITH IT! I didn’t bring up your name in my earlier post because I was trying to avoid embarrassing you–the people who knew the story had already made up their minds about you. The people who hadn’t might have looked it up and then again, they probably wouldn’t have. Little did I know that you’d introduce a whole _NEW_ generation of SDMB users to this. Going forward, I guarantee you that it _will_ be mentioned again (although probably not by me in this thread). It’s a board legend like Opal’s Buckeyes and several other gaffes. You’re stuck with it. Your best bet is to shut up and let the legend remain without re-associating yourself with it every time it’s mentioned. Plus, it doesn’t matter if you sent the money back or not, the original request was false. You waited ~20 posts before you mentioned that you needed AC for the Bunnies and slowly leaked the info that that you had several money sources you chose not to use (overtime, a retirement account, etc). Regardless if the money was sent back, the original request was false. It’s relevant to this thread because it’s actually a good point as to why the mods don’t want to vet threads, since you managed to sneak your request past them despite a more stringent vetting procedure back then. And since you keep bringing it up: [Link to a quick synopsis of the Bunny AC thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=17437273&postcount=50) [Link to the original thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=15068004). Posters can now decide how/if/why your bunny-AC scam was relevant to the thread. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2015, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-board-policy-about-approving-donation-request-threads/715913/102 "2015-03-26T20:45:45Z")
> [@spinky](#): > > I do notice that, but the issue of whether or not anybody actually got refunded and when (and whether or not Fenris believes it) is completely irrelevant. The entire point of bringing this example up is that, refund or no, pretty much everyone (even the requestor, who saw fit to just cancel the whole thing) seems to agree that the original bunny AC request was bogus. If there were a rule that people weren’t allowed to say so in the thread, refunds would never even have been discussed. Except the reason that nothing was removed from PayPal by me or the lady of the house was in case it turned out we did not need the money, enabling all money to be refunded. One of the senders was even explicitly told this via PM. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2015, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-board-policy-about-approving-donation-request-threads/715913/103 "2015-03-26T20:46:46Z")
And **Fenris** can [REDACTED] a cactus. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2015, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-board-policy-about-approving-donation-request-threads/715913/104 "2015-03-26T20:52:40Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > Except the reason that nothing was removed from PayPal by me or the lady of the house was in case it turned out we did not need the money, enabling all money to be refunded. One of the senders was even explicitly told this via PM. Look man. This is going to get brought up and joked about now and then, because it’s now a board meme and it will forever be a board meme. Nobody really cares about the details - and when it’s brought up and you jump in defending yourself again, it’s just the Streisand Effect in action. The only person really bringing attention to the details of the situation is you. And as anyone that reads those threads will see, you were very cagey from the OP of that donation request and didn’t even tell people what it was really for for 20 posts or so. Regardless of whether or not you intended to keep the money, or return it, or burn it or whatever - the original request was flat-out bogus and you know it. ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2015, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-board-policy-about-approving-donation-request-threads/715913/105 "2015-03-26T20:55:32Z")
**Skywatcher** , most everyone has said crap online that they later regret. At this point, if I were you, I’d simply let people discuss this as they will when it comes up, and not tie yourself to it even if mentioned by name or the thread is linked to. I understand it’s a painful subject for you, but truly, the best way to deal with the (seemingly endless, I’m sure) fallout is to just not insert yourself into it. Eventually, it will fall further and further behind newer board hooplas. Just a thought. ETA: Simulpost. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2015, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-board-policy-about-approving-donation-request-threads/715913/106 "2015-03-26T21:06:26Z")
Look, I know what my intentions were. Everyone else is reading their own bullshit into it for their jollies or whatever. My last word on the original thread: do not expect someone having suicidal thoughts to act rationally. ---
**Author:** ![spinky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@spinky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spinky)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2015, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-board-policy-about-approving-donation-request-threads/715913/107 "2015-03-26T21:20:28Z")
So we’re all in agreement. If some irrational person with suicidal thoughts decides to post an ill-advised OP asking for money, which they may eventually regret and return all the money from and totally make everything right, it’s **still** a good thing for other posters to be able to voice their concerns in the thread. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2015, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-board-policy-about-approving-donation-request-threads/715913/108 "2015-03-26T22:04:18Z")
It’s all okay **Skywatcher**. You have your bunnies, **Hal Briston** has his sheep. Hal survived, you will too. ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2015, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-board-policy-about-approving-donation-request-threads/715913/109 "2015-03-26T23:15:10Z")
For what it’s worth: I remember the “AC for bunnies” thread. What I did not remember who the OP of that thread was. When \*\*Fenris \*\*referenced it in this thread, I was \*not \*moved to go back and find out who started it. But now I know it was **Skywatcher** , because he reminded us that it was him. Make of that what you will. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2015, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-board-policy-about-approving-donation-request-threads/715913/110 "2015-03-26T23:53:28Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > Look, I know what my intentions were. Everyone else is reading their own bullshit into it for their jollies or whatever. > > My last word on the original thread: do not expect someone having suicidal thoughts to act rationally. Dude, just stop it. All you’re doing is making it worse. If you had simply said, “Look, I’m sorry, I panicked when the AC broke down, and I overreacted and didn’t think rationally.” That’s it. Every screws up. If you would just own up to it, instead of constantly making excuse after excuse after excuse, people would let it go. Quit trying to justify what you did. As for your depression – there are plenty of people here who’ve suffered from it, including those who’ve contemplated suicide. But none of them keep bringing it up and using it as an excuse for some screw up. In fact, that’s one thing that really, REALLY burns me up. I suffer from depression and anxiety myself, and I hate it when people think that suffering from depression is a “Get Out of Jail Free” Card. Quit picking at the wound, quit telling people, “but it’s not my FAAAULLLT!!!” Because people are getting the impression that you’re only sorry because you got called on what you did, not for actually doing it. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2015, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-board-policy-about-approving-donation-request-threads/715913/111 "2015-03-27T00:22:42Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > Hal survived… Has he? :dubious: As an example of how it should be done, [**Frank** needs a job.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=18237340#post18237340) We know **Frank**. We like **Frank** (mostly). And people who can’t help him are being supportive, like good Dopers. And yes, this was a backwards way to call attention to a good cause for people who stay out of MPSIMS because of all the depressing threads. ---
**Author:** ![tapu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@tapu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tapu)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2015, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-board-policy-about-approving-donation-request-threads/715913/112 "2015-03-27T01:02:33Z")
> [@grude](#): > > I honestly feel there should be a blanket ban on soliciting money or donations altogether, even in PMs. I feel this crap should be kept off the boards, the potential for scams or abuse is just too high, and it can sour relations. I agree with Grude. I’m puzzled as to why SD wouldn’t have a long-established rule against solicitations. How would SD know the story, do they know the person? If they do, then is it a family member or friend? In the modern world, threads for money are really not something to get involved with, including their promotion, approval, publishing. Yes, everyone needs help sometimes. If that’s the business of this board, fine, but there are appropriate venues for getting help with all sorts of issues. If the solicitations continue to show up in New Posts at the same rate as they have recently, I’ll probably get sick of reading the thread names. This kind of happened on Free Republic, I think. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2015, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-board-policy-about-approving-donation-request-threads/715913/113 "2015-03-27T01:15:34Z")
**Moderator Note** > [@Skywatcher](#): > > No, it’s because **Fenris** has a history of bringing it up and twisting the facts for shits ‘n’ giggles. IOW, trolling. Accusations of trolling are not permitted outside of the Pit. Take it to the Pit if you want to write something like this. ---
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2015, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-board-policy-about-approving-donation-request-threads/715913/114 "2015-03-27T02:04:04Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > In fact, that’s one thing that really, REALLY burns me up. You know what REALLY, really burns me up? Weber grills. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2015, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-board-policy-about-approving-donation-request-threads/715913/115 "2015-03-27T02:29:10Z")
> [@PlainJain](#): > > You know what REALLY, really burns me up? Weber grills. I’m curious as to why you’d bother bringing a totally unrelated topic into this thread. Did you think we’d all roll around the floor pissing ourselves laughing at your cutting edge wit? :: rolleyes :: ---
**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 27, 2015, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-board-policy-about-approving-donation-request-threads/715913/116 "2015-03-27T03:08:44Z")
> [@spinky](#): > > So we’re all in agreement. If some irrational person with suicidal thoughts decides to post an ill-advised OP asking for money, which they may eventually regret and return all the money from and totally make everything right, it’s **still** a good thing for other posters to be able to voice their concerns in the thread. The relevant bit: the request to post the irrational person with suicidal thoughts who decides to post an ill-advised OP asking for money, which they may eventually regret and return all the money from and totally make everything right post _was approved_. And that’s why this whole thing is a bad idea. ---
**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 27, 2015, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-board-policy-about-approving-donation-request-threads/715913/117 "2015-03-27T03:10:27Z")
nm. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2015, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-board-policy-about-approving-donation-request-threads/715913/118 "2015-03-27T03:30:03Z")
**Moderator Note** > [@PlainJain](#): > > You know what REALLY, really burns me up? Weber grills. Do not bring intentionally provocative topics from other threads into this one. Take it to the appropriate Pit thread if you feel a need to make such comments. ---
**Author:** ![Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5fc32e/32.png) [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bad_News_Baboon)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2015, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-board-policy-about-approving-donation-request-threads/715913/119 "2015-03-27T05:43:30Z")
> [@grude](#): > > I honestly feel there should be a blanket ban on soliciting money or donations altogether, even in PMs. I feel this crap should be kept off the boards, the potential for scams or abuse is just too high, and it can sour relations. I agree completely with this. ---
**Author:** ![spinky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@spinky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spinky)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2015, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-board-policy-about-approving-donation-request-threads/715913/120 "2015-03-27T06:39:23Z")
> [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](#): > > I agree completely with this. I’ve argued above that solicitations should only be allowed in special circumstances by approval of the mods, but honestly, banning them altogether would be fine with me too and is probably the smartest move the administration could make. Allowing the SDMB to be host to this type of thread, even vetted, while saying _caveat emptor_ probably isn’t the best thing for the community. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-board-policy-about-approving-donation-request-threads/715913.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-board-policy-about-approving-donation-request-threads/715913.md?page=7)