# Is there a list of allowable rhetorical devices?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-list-of-allowable-rhetorical-devices/841551>\
**Category:** About This Message Board\
**Created:** [October 9, 2019, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-list-of-allowable-rhetorical-devices/841551 "2019-10-09T21:12:22Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 38

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**Author:** ![Thing\_Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@Thing\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_Fish)\
**Post date:** [October 10, 2019, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-list-of-allowable-rhetorical-devices/841551/38 "2019-10-10T19:35:15Z")

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> [@Colibri](#):
>
> Yes it is. That’s why that should be the first recourse when you find a post offensive.
> 
> **tomndebb** quoted and moderated a different post by a different poster, not the “Nuke Mecca” one. It was an ethnic joke about Saudis, and as far as I can see it deserved the note it received (which indeed is a form of sanction). No other GD mod posted in the thread.
> 
> Checking reports, as far as I can see nobody reported the “Nuke Mecca” post between the time it was made, on 20 September, and the time the thread was last active, on 22 September. I haven’t checked every report since then so it could possibly have been reported subsequently.  
> Since no one else reported it, it would have drawn the attention of the mods.
> 
> I’ll say for the billionth time (using the rhetorical device known as _hyperbole_;)) that just because a post hasn’t been moderated doesn’t mean it’s allowed. We’re volunteers. We aren’t on 24/7, and we don’t (can’t) read every post. Sometimes real life intrudes, and several mods have been on travel recently. And even if a post is reported, the report can be missed, because we receive a lot of reports. So if a post hasn’t been moderated that you think should have been, go ahead and report it. And if it isn’t moderated, you’re welcome to PM a forum mod to ask about their reasoning (after allowing a reasonable time for response).
> 
> As it is, you have made an entirely baseless accusation that the post, which you never reported (and apparently no one else did), was not moderated because it was by a Trump supporter, a fact that only became evident two weeks after the post was made. I do think you owe the staff an apology. And I would also suggest that before you make a complaint, you read the thread and posts you’re complaining about more carefully.

We are talking past each other. I was referring to this post by Bone, not any post by tomndebb.

> [@The Trump Impeachment Inquiry](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/2337):
>
> Do not post threats or state or imply that any individual or group is deserving of harm.
> 
> I recommend you familiarize yourself with the rules of the board and each forum you post in. This post was made and unfortunately I missed the thread report at the time or else I would have offered you the same advice.  
> I recommend toning down your rhetoric in order to participate civilly in these forums.
> 
> [/moderating]

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