# Is there a left/right bias in dealing with hyperbolic posters? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [January 26, 2010, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-left-right-bias-in-dealing-with-hyperbolic-posters/526571 "2010-01-26T21:22:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2010, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-left-right-bias-in-dealing-with-hyperbolic-posters/526571/21 "2010-01-29T22:21:11Z")
> [@lissener](#): > > Liberals take debate challenges as they come, and are more likely to make a good faith effort in maintaining an honest discussion, no matter which way it goes. Conservatives, on the other hand, can usually be counted upon, when the one-sided polemic they disingenuously refer to as a “debate” turns into an actual debate, to whimper and whine about liberal bias and unfair moderation. So consistently, in fact, that you can use it as a pretty reliable litmus test for someone’s political leaning. Let’s clean that up a bit: Many (not all) liberals stereotype conservatives, feeling that all of them are the absolute worst possible combination of Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter. In reality, of course, conservatives cover a broad range of ages, experience, debating skills, intelligence, religious beliefs, compassion, and wealth, but since these liberals get their news only from generally-liberal news sources that they agree with, they get no counter-examples to help them break the stereotype. Many (not all) conservatives stereotype liberals, feeling that all of them are the absolute worst possible combination of Michael Moore and Ronnie Lee. In reality, of course, liberals cover a broad range of ages, experience, debating skills, intelligence, religious beliefs, compassion, and wealth, but since these conservatives get their news only from generally-conservative news sources that they agree with, they get no counter-examples to help them break the stereotype. Your post is a _perfect_ example of this unfounded and unreasonable stereotyping. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2010, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-left-right-bias-in-dealing-with-hyperbolic-posters/526571/22 "2010-01-29T23:01:24Z")
If you think I was not aware of the irony inherent in the generalizations in my post (you’ll note there are at least no absolutes), you obviously think I’m pretty stupid. Which, granted; subtlety and irony work way better in the real world than on an internet discussion board. Still, as far as general doper behavior goes, I stand behind the general point that’s embedded somewhere in my post: 90% of the charges of “bias”–if not an outright 100%–are made by conservatives losing a debate. I personally would be ashamed to pull that whine in a debate; I’d feel like I would thus be portraying myself as petty and cowardly. But that’s just me. ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2010, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-left-right-bias-in-dealing-with-hyperbolic-posters/526571/23 "2010-01-30T04:46:53Z")
I have noted that **Tomndebb** often goes the second mile in his attempts to be fair in weighing in on posts that involve political or religious issues that differ from his own. On the otherhand, it seems to me that he is incapable of posting anything about **Shodan’s** criticisms, be they accurate or not, without resorting to punitive language. I am not an authority on **Tom’s** motives, but given the pattern, I suspect it has little to do with Shodan’s religious affiliation or conservative political positions. On another note, I see the posts of **Der Trihs** to be too inconsistent to be classified as _liberal_ or _conservative_. I believe that he thinks of himself as a liberal, but his comments are too hostile, intolerant, and simplistic regarding such things as Freedom of Religion. There are other examples. His beliefs are tolerated and I’m fine with that most of the time. When I’m not, that’s my problem. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2010, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-left-right-bias-in-dealing-with-hyperbolic-posters/526571/24 "2010-01-30T06:20:44Z")
Collounsbury was banned for losing his patience with a bigot in Great Debates. Satan was banned for reasons entirely unclear to me. One guy even had to defend himself in the pit against accusations of trollery\*: he was banned for satirizing conservatives. Clearly the mods have a far-rightist, Christianist, jack-booted bias. Luckily, they have a soft spot for whiners. Whiners are rarely if ever banned. Those with twisted recollections are also looked upon kindly. - I think the thread title was, “I am not a troll.” ---
**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:** [January 30, 2010, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-left-right-bias-in-dealing-with-hyperbolic-posters/526571/25 "2010-01-30T06:32:02Z")
Isn’t that the same Collounsbury who was perpetually personally insulting to other posters? Chronically so, wouldn’t listen to moderators either? Satan the same and worse and who in fact was nothing more than the worst kind of bully to other people? These are your heroes? ---
**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:** [January 30, 2010, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-left-right-bias-in-dealing-with-hyperbolic-posters/526571/26 "2010-01-30T06:49:54Z")
For those of you who are wondering who these posters were, Collounsbury was banned in 2003. Satan was banned in 2001. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2010, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-left-right-bias-in-dealing-with-hyperbolic-posters/526571/27 "2010-01-30T07:44:26Z")
Tuba, ma’am, whooosh? ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2010, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-left-right-bias-in-dealing-with-hyperbolic-posters/526571/28 "2010-01-30T13:46:28Z")
> [@Zoe](#): > > On another note, I see the posts of **Der Trihs** to be too inconsistent to be classified as _liberal_ or _conservative_. I believe that he thinks of himself as a liberal, but his comments are too hostile, intolerant, and simplistic regarding such things as Freedom of Religion. There are other examples. His beliefs are tolerated and I’m fine with that most of the time. When I’m not, that’s my problem. This is hilarious. **Der Trihs** just _can’t_ really be liberal because he’s too hostile, intolerant, and simplistic? That’s some comical shit right there. I congratulate you one if the most partisan statements ever made on the SDMB. The fact that you didn’t/don’t see the partisanship in it makes it all the much more comedy gold. Definitely in the running for The Most Partisan Statement Made On The SDMB—Ever. Unbelievable. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2010, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-left-right-bias-in-dealing-with-hyperbolic-posters/526571/29 "2010-01-30T13:51:54Z")
> [@TubaDiva](#): > > Isn’t that the same Collounsbury who was perpetually personally insulting to other posters? Chronically so, wouldn’t listen to moderators either? Banned and reinstated either once or twice, IIRC. Likewise for **lissener** , also IIRC. I am not aware of any instance where a conservative poster has ever been reinstated, although I am open to correction. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![CircleofWillis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/54ee81/32.png) [@CircleofWillis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CircleofWillis)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2010, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-left-right-bias-in-dealing-with-hyperbolic-posters/526571/30 "2010-01-30T15:24:34Z")
> [@Zoe](#): > > On another note, I see the posts of **Der Trihs** to be too inconsistent to be classified as _liberal_ or _conservative_. I believe that he thinks of himself as a liberal, but his comments are too hostile, intolerant, and simplistic regarding such things as Freedom of Religion. There are other examples. His beliefs are tolerated and I’m fine with that most of the time. When I’m not, that’s my problem. This _ **HAS** _ to be a whoosh. He can’t be liberal because 'his comments are too hostile, intolerant, and simplistic"? Wow. ETA: On second thought, what **Shodan** said. ---
**Author:** ![tacoloco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tacoloco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tacoloco)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2010, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-left-right-bias-in-dealing-with-hyperbolic-posters/526571/31 "2010-01-30T15:39:53Z")
I can see the righties really have their knickers in a twist. Seriously, all I can see now is whining and complaining about the big bad mods being unfair to them. ---
**Author:** ![CircleofWillis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/54ee81/32.png) [@CircleofWillis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CircleofWillis)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2010, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-left-right-bias-in-dealing-with-hyperbolic-posters/526571/32 "2010-01-30T16:12:19Z")
…err… make that _ **magellen01** _ ---
**Author:** ![CircleofWillis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/54ee81/32.png) [@CircleofWillis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CircleofWillis)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2010, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-left-right-bias-in-dealing-with-hyperbolic-posters/526571/33 "2010-01-30T16:22:20Z")
Trolin’, trollin’, trollin’ on the river… ``` -Tina Turner ``` ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2010, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-left-right-bias-in-dealing-with-hyperbolic-posters/526571/34 "2010-01-30T17:02:50Z")
I think it depends on whether they’re one-trick ponies or not. For example, **Der Trihs** is, like me, a devotee of The Order of The Stick, and he has contributed in the various threads. ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2010, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-left-right-bias-in-dealing-with-hyperbolic-posters/526571/35 "2010-01-30T17:04:54Z")
> [@TubaDiva](#): > > Isn’t that the same Collounsbury who was perpetually personally insulting to other posters? Chronically so, wouldn’t listen to moderators either? > > Satan the same and worse and who in fact was nothing more than the worst kind of bully to other people? > > These are your heroes? Uh oh, look what _yooooooooooou_ stepped in! You just earned yourself at least 3 snackpit threads! Edited: oh crap, now I get a snackpit thread! ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2010, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-left-right-bias-in-dealing-with-hyperbolic-posters/526571/36 "2010-01-30T17:18:59Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > I don’t think there’s a bias. And if there is, it’s more of an ingroup/outgroup one rather than a LW/RW one, IMO. I agree with you. I don’t think that mods are more harsh over RW wingnuttery than LW wingnuttery. They are far more likely to be hard on newbie wingnuts of either party than ones of longer standing. If there’s a preponderance of LW wingnuts who are around after ticking posters off for a long while, I feel that says more about the type of people who are committed to making just-this-side-of-actionable inflammatory comments than it does about modding. ---
**Author:** ![CircleofWillis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/54ee81/32.png) [@CircleofWillis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CircleofWillis)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2010, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-left-right-bias-in-dealing-with-hyperbolic-posters/526571/37 "2010-01-30T17:32:36Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > If there’s a preponderance of LW wingnuts who are around after ticking posters off for a long while, I feel that says more about the type of people who are committed to making just-this-side-of-actionable inflammatory comments than it does about modding. Ya know I can sorta get behind this. ON the other hand, doesn’t the don’t be a jerk rule apply at some point? ---
**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2010, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-left-right-bias-in-dealing-with-hyperbolic-posters/526571/38 "2010-01-30T17:35:30Z")
I think some moderators have personal issues with certain conservative posters and are unable to keep their feelings completely out of their moderating tasks. This gives an aura of bias to the whole system that way. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2010, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-left-right-bias-in-dealing-with-hyperbolic-posters/526571/39 "2010-01-30T17:56:28Z")
> [@tacoloco](#): > > I can see the righties really have their knickers in a twist. > > Seriously, all I can see now is whining and complaining about the big bad mods being unfair to them. > [@raindog](#): > > Your first post to the thread should be your own original thoughts/ experiences, as opposed to attacking other posters posts. I’d like to keep the participation from the grandstands at a minimum. I guess that isn’t possible. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2010, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-left-right-bias-in-dealing-with-hyperbolic-posters/526571/40 "2010-01-30T18:32:45Z")
Don’t know that **Collounsbury** would be all that pleased to be lumped in with “the left.” Or “the right” for that matter, but Col sure wasn’t all that enthusiastic about the “Left blithering idiots” to choose a quote. He’s probably closest to a classical liberal, if anything. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-left-right-bias-in-dealing-with-hyperbolic-posters/526571.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-left-right-bias-in-dealing-with-hyperbolic-posters/526571.md?page=3)