# Manhattan's Mass Banning Fucking Power Trip **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 12, 2003, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattans-mass-banning-fucking-power-trip/160740 "2003-03-12T04:16:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattans-mass-banning-fucking-power-trip/160740/81 "2003-03-13T01:06:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by javaman \* > \*\*Well. It looks like I’m the first one to make a public reappearance. > > **Tarantara** , if I follow your reasoning, your suggesting that because we broke the rules regarding GQ political content, \*\* Oh, just wonderful. My first post after coming back, and it contains a typo. I never used to do that until I started typing so fast: the movements of the fingers are sometimes guided by the sounds of the words instead of the spelling.:smack: ---
**Author:** ![Tony\_Montana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/278dde/32.png) [@Tony\_Montana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tony_Montana)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattans-mass-banning-fucking-power-trip/160740/82 "2003-03-13T01:09:15Z")
[QUOTE] \*Originally posted by javaman \* \*\*Well. It looks like I’m the first one to make a public reappearance. FYI I saw **Krokidil** somewhere in CS ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattans-mass-banning-fucking-power-trip/160740/83 "2003-03-13T01:16:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Anthracite \* > \*\*As for the banned in the OP - well, I didn’t know two of them, but I liked two of those guys quite a lot, and it’s really terrible to see them gone. It’s really hard to see **javaman** go especially, even though we did argue a lot about engineering. > > \*\* …And a public nod of appreciation to **Anthracite** for seeing my side of it. Though as noted, lesson learned. ---
**Author:** ![Tony\_Montana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/278dde/32.png) [@Tony\_Montana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tony_Montana)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattans-mass-banning-fucking-power-trip/160740/84 "2003-03-13T01:22:38Z")
Awwww ::snif:: ---
**Author:** ![donkeyoatey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47c2d/32.png) [@donkeyoatey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/donkeyoatey)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattans-mass-banning-fucking-power-trip/160740/85 "2003-03-13T01:23:52Z")
## quote: ## Originally posted by samclem I think anyone can read anything. You just can’t post if you’re banned. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Anthracite \* > \*\*No, this is not true. You can create User Groups that cannot read anything on the Board at all. My Board has two groups that cannot read anything, and several that can only read certain forums. \*\* What **samclem** said is true in regard to the way **this** board is run. Maybe you should amend your little list above to include posters who run their own boards and constantly have to point out how much more they know about how things should be done. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattans-mass-banning-fucking-power-trip/160740/86 "2003-03-13T01:50:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by samclem \* > \*\*I think _anyone_ can read anything. You just can’t post if you’re banned. \*\* Take it from me. You _can_ read anything, but during my Time Of Exile I found that I could not search. Many of my “reads” are preceded by “searches”, so I was severely handicapped in that respect too, besides not being able to post. Though I can understand why non-members are not allowed to search, given considerations of bandwidth, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattans-mass-banning-fucking-power-trip/160740/87 "2003-03-13T01:58:48Z")
> [@](#): > > ## \*Originally posted by donkeyoatey \* \*\*quote: > > ## Originally posted by samclem I think anyone can read anything. You just can’t post if you’re banned. > > What **samclem** said is true in regard to the way **this** board is run. Maybe you should amend your little list above to include posters who run their own boards and constantly have to point out how much more they know about how things should be done. \*\* So it’s wrong to offer constructive suggestions? **Anthracite** runs a message board. She knows the technology of vB boards better than the vast majority of us. I’d say, yeah, it’s well within her prerogative to discuss it. The admins don’t have to follow her suggestion or even read it if they’re not so inclined. Yeesh, I’m getting out of here now. Good night all. ---
**Author:** ![manhattan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manhattan/32/7_2.png) [@manhattan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manhattan)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattans-mass-banning-fucking-power-trip/160740/88 "2003-03-13T02:09:04Z")
Well, now that this thing has come to a mostly happy conclusion, I have one small request. Careful readers will recall that there was a Pit thread about me some months ago entitled “Manhattan is a ding dong.” What you may not know is that even now, long after the original thread, I am still receiving Hostess creem-filled chocolate-covered chocolate sponge cakes from fellow dopers, including my girlfriend. As yummy as they are, I’m sick of them and I’m already too fat. If folks could entitle future Pit threads about me something like, “Manhattan is a golf lesson” or “Manhattan is dinner at Bouley” or “Manhattan is a backrub,” I’d certainly appreciate it. Thank you for your attention to this matter. ---
**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:** [March 13, 2003, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattans-mass-banning-fucking-power-trip/160740/89 "2003-03-13T02:13:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by manhattan \* > \*\*True enough. But let’s use some context here. If the question doesn’t invite a factual answer, I will (and have) shown more leeway. If an aside isn’t some bullshit polemic specifically designed to hijack a factual thread for the poster’s purposes, then I will (and have) shown more leeway. In areas where the hijacks or discussions don’t detract from members’ ability to ask and answer factual questions, I will (and have) shown more leeway. Heck, I let the gearheads, royalty buffs and grammar folks go on for pages and pages. > > What I’m concerned about here is the persistent pattern of seizing just about any question about political or religious matters and turning it into a debate or a rant. We already have forums for debates and rants. In fact, we \created\ forums for debates and rants specifically to get them the heck out of GQ so people could ask and answer questions free from that stuff. That under good moderatorship those forums have blossomed into "core products"of the board in their own right is a bonus. > > If folks like **zuma** and **Tars Tarkas** honestly think that “Some would consider the United States to be a “radically Christian” country” is even a little tiny bit probative to “I was wondering if there are CURRENTLY (not in the past) any countries that require people to be Christian. And outlaw other religious books,” particularly when the questioner asked for “Just the facts no debate,” then it’s probably for the best that they refrain from posting in GQ. \*\* Oh, I’m not disagreeing with your third paragraph at all, Manhattan. I understand where you’re coming from completely. You’re stuck herding cats with very little rope over there in GQ. Makes me a little relieved that I never heard back when I sent in my ‘mod application’ all those ages ago. But the slippery slope is sure there in a policy of ‘ask questions with factual answers’ or ‘only answer with facts’. The potential for that to become dogmatic is enormous and dangerous to the community of the boards. Look at some of the militant responses we’ve seen in this thread. I always prefer rules with flexibility over those without. And I hate the concept of making ‘an example’ of people. _Pour encouragez les autres_ makes lousy sense to me. Not that I’m saying that’s what happened. But certainly there’s a current of that in this thread. I have faith that you’ll act with discretion. Certain GQ’s fairly well beg for discussion. The facts could be unclear, the could be contradictory, they could be flat out wrong. I prefer to see that exchange of ideas occur. I believe it to be necessary to the successful answering of certain questions. But you’re right that asking a political or religious question in GQ is just begging for trouble. So good luck to you, manhattan. Don’t let them get you down. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattans-mass-banning-fucking-power-trip/160740/90 "2003-03-13T02:13:26Z")
Manhattan: Just be glad nobody called you “a hair up his ass.” ---
**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:** [March 13, 2003, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattans-mass-banning-fucking-power-trip/160740/91 "2003-03-13T02:15:12Z")
Boy, did **I** miss an opportunity there. How about ‘manhattan is a supermodel sandwich’? Or ‘manhattan is three weeks in fiji’? ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattans-mass-banning-fucking-power-trip/160740/92 "2003-03-13T02:42:20Z")
I’m considering “manhattan is a blow job,” but that sounds too much like a legitimate insult to fly, I think. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattans-mass-banning-fucking-power-trip/160740/93 "2003-03-13T02:45:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by javaman \* > \*\*Take it from me. You _can_ read anything… \*\* Welcome back, but I’ve got to know: Vampire, or JavaZombie ? Where’s lekatt ? He should be in on this. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Kat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b19c9b/32.png) [@Kat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kat)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattans-mass-banning-fucking-power-trip/160740/94 "2003-03-13T03:03:30Z")
See, now _I_ was thinking something like “ **manhattan** is a fire-engine red sports car”…but perhaps I should sound out **manny** for a specific model? ---
**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:** [March 13, 2003, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattans-mass-banning-fucking-power-trip/160740/95 "2003-03-13T03:36:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by donkeyoatey \* > \*\*What **samclem** said is true in regard to the way **this** board is run. Maybe you should amend your little list above to include posters who run their own boards and constantly have to point out how much more they know about how things should be done. \*\* If the comment in question had been worded that it was referring specifically to this Board in its current and non-changing configuration, then yes. Earlier comments implied that they were referring to the ability of the Board to be modified to accomodate forum-level bans, on a what-if basis. What’s your pain, anyhow? Should I not try to assist with something I know about? Should I also not respond to coal questions too? Be certain that you let me know exactly what I’m allowed to post on. ---
**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 13, 2003, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattans-mass-banning-fucking-power-trip/160740/96 "2003-03-13T03:39:11Z")
If I wrote that **manhattan** is a tool-what kind of tool would you like **manny**? ---
**Author:** ![donkeyoatey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47c2d/32.png) [@donkeyoatey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/donkeyoatey)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattans-mass-banning-fucking-power-trip/160740/97 "2003-03-13T05:25:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Anthracite \* > \*\*What’s your pain, anyhow? Should I not try to assist with something I know about? Should I also not respond to coal questions too? Be certain that you let me know exactly what I’m allowed to post on. \*\* I didn’t say anything about coal questions, I know you are an expert in your chosen field. But everytime you respond to questions or gripes about how this board is run you seem to think that you are \*\*the \*\* authority on how it should be done. And this thread contains another case in point: > [@](#): > > No, it doesn’t take any script hacking at all. Do you actually have a copy of vBulletin or run a vBulletin Board? You will note that I’m not commenting on whether you are right or wrong, just your abrasive way of putting it. ---
**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:** [March 13, 2003, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattans-mass-banning-fucking-power-trip/160740/98 "2003-03-13T05:51:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by donkeyoatey \* > \*\*And this thread contains another case in point: > > > [@](#): > > > > No, it doesn’t take any script hacking at all. Do you actually have a copy of vBulletin or run a vBulletin Board? > > You will note that I’m not commenting on whether you are right or wrong, just your abrasive way of putting it. \*\* Please don’t edit my posts that way to only support your point. Let’s look at what I really said, OK? And look at it from the eyes of one who isn’t looking to take offense, wherever and however possible? It’s still there, on the first page of the thread: > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Anthracite, who wouldn’t have to repost it if it hadn’t been purposely quoted out of context for reasons as of yet unknown \* > \*\*No, it doesn’t take any script hacking at all. Do you actually have a copy of vBulletin or run a vBulletin Board? Because all you have to do is this: > > 1. Create a new User Group. > 2. In the Forums and Permissions panel, just give that group access to post in all forums except GQ. > 3. Move those that are “banned” from GQ into that group.\*\* **I’m asking if they have a copy of vBulletin because I was giving a suggestion as to where you go in the Admin Control Panel, and what you do.** I would have posted a screenshot, but I can’t do that here. I get asked questions like this all the time, and it’s not unusual for me to mail lengthy instructions helping people set up boards - unlike others, I do actually make an effort to help people with technical issues. So that was the tone of my post. And so what if I do post about how things work in vBulletin? At least I’m trying to help from a knowledge base of some experience. Look at ATMB once in a while. People pop in to post all sorts of things about what vBulletin can or can’t do, many of them incorrect. Why would people continue to do this? What is this need to post at all cost, regardless of whether one is right or wrong, regardless of whether or not one has experience, or any familiarity with the software? What really goes through someone’s head when they say “Hmm…now, I don’t have this software, and have never actually used it, but I think I’ll post on whether or not a specific feature can be added to the Board. Hey, why not, it’s a slow day at work anyhow.” I’m not any authority, **and I’ve got some things wrong too**. But I know more than most people here on this, and I’m much more correct than incorrect. What’s your alternative to having people who might know something post - having people who don’t know anything post? Is that a win-win situation? 😕 If someone thinks I’m incorrect on points about operations, I sure hope they post about it to show where I fucked up. Spreading disinformation hurts everyone. And unlike some people, I do actually admit when I’m wrong. And if someone thinks they have a better way of implementing something in vBulletin, they should damn well post it, and not sit there sniping at me. I’ve learned a few tricks from people on this Board about vBulletin, and I certainly can learn a lot more. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattans-mass-banning-fucking-power-trip/160740/99 "2003-03-13T06:28:13Z")
I vote that, from this time forward, all GQ questions be posted in the form of multiple choice or yes/no questions. Maybe we could even incorporate buttons, drop-down menus, or toggle switches in the forum, so that people could answer without typing any text at all. 🙂 ---
**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 13, 2003, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattans-mass-banning-fucking-power-trip/160740/100 "2003-03-13T12:07:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by donkeyoatey \* > \*\*quote: > Maybe you should amend your little list above to include posters who run their own boards and constantly have to point out how much more they know about how things should be done. \*\* **Anthracite** constantly adds to and provides information to the Board. When she’s discussed how the Board software works, she’s almost invariably been proved _correct_. (I can only thing of a very, VERY few posters with a better signal-\>noise ratio). Why are you bothered by the fact that she’s familiar with the software that the Board operates on and is willing to share it? Fenris [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattans-mass-banning-fucking-power-trip/160740.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattans-mass-banning-fucking-power-trip/160740.md?page=6)