# Marley--disagree with your modding **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [May 3, 2012, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marley-disagree-with-your-modding/620723 "2012-05-03T05:48:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2012, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marley-disagree-with-your-modding/620723/21 "2012-05-03T19:38:36Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Waitaminnit-you tell the Democrats to dial it back _too_? Whatever happened the left-wing liberal atheist board I used to help moderate, dude? That’s how I got into this mess. And ix-nay on the iberal atheist board-lay. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2012, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marley-disagree-with-your-modding/620723/22 "2012-05-03T20:09:10Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > I’ve seen ‘Republicans [or conservatives] want women to suffer,’ in GD, which I also moderate and the same rules apply. I’m not sure about the AIDS one. The AIDS thing is an insane conspiracy theory and ‘Republicans want women to suffer’ is very extreme, but it’s a comment based on specific policies and it isn’t overtly obscene. There are situation in which I would tell someone to dial it back on either of those types of comments. I don’t think either is directly comparable to the statement being discussed here even though I understand why people would object to them. There are certain posters in GD who will routinely say things like Conservatives/Libertarians just want people to starve to death or turned into slaves, and I’ve never seen them admonished for it. Maybe I’ve missed it. Not saying I’m in favor of this type of mod’ing, but my impression is that it is very capricious. ---
**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:** [May 3, 2012, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marley-disagree-with-your-modding/620723/23 "2012-05-03T21:11:08Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Not saying I’m in favor of this type of mod’ing, but my impression is that it is very capricious. You misspelled something. That last bit should be “…that it is a very, very positive step.” 😉 ---
**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:** [May 3, 2012, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marley-disagree-with-your-modding/620723/24 "2012-05-03T21:32:20Z")
> [@TonySinclair](#): > > I have no opinion about the original issue, but that statement makes no sense at all to me. How can you have an interesting “discussion of elections and electoral politics,” without occasionally finding fault with someone’s political views? You can discuss the point – but you have to be civil. You can’t use a point of discussion as a jump off point to bash a political party you dislike or someone you have an issue with. That goes in the Pit. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2012, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marley-disagree-with-your-modding/620723/25 "2012-05-03T22:02:14Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > The AIDS thing is an insane conspiracy theory and ‘Republicans want women to suffer’ is very extreme, but it’s a comment based on specific policies and it isn’t overtly obscene. The assertion that Republicans were worse than child molestors was also based (more or less) on a specific policy - their alleged obstructionism. And I suppose it depends on what you find “obscene”. > [@](#): > > I don’t think either is directly comparable to the statement being discussed here even though I understand why people would object to them. Obviously it would be a judgment call, but I don’t see any difference in principle between saying “Republicans are worse than child molestors because they are blocking Obama’s agenda” and saying “Republicans want women to die because they oppose abortion”. Both accusations are bizarre, both are based on objections to Republican policies. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2012, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marley-disagree-with-your-modding/620723/26 "2012-05-03T22:09:04Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > The assertion that Republicans were worse than child molestors was also based (more or less) on a specific policy - their alleged obstructionism. More or less, yes - but it’s a (bizarre) moral judgment, not a consequence of the supposed policy. > [@](#): > > And I suppose it depends on what you find “obscene”. I’d say I am comfortable judging the example in this thread to be more obscene. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2012, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marley-disagree-with-your-modding/620723/27 "2012-05-03T22:46:40Z")
> [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](#): > > Says the guy whose views were being castigated. Have you ever seen me employ similar levels of vile and disgusting rhetoric towards liberals outside of the Pit? (Hint: the answer is no.) And yet, I am able to fully participate in political debates on this forum, and communicate my position quite clearly. Frankly, if the situation here were reversed, and I was the offending party, I strongly suspect you would be leading the charge in calling for my head. ---
**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:** [May 4, 2012, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marley-disagree-with-your-modding/620723/28 "2012-05-04T01:41:29Z")
> [@TubaDiva](#): > > You can’t use a point of discussion as a jump off point to bash a political party you dislike… 😕 Did you just make this rule up? ---
**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:** [May 4, 2012, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marley-disagree-with-your-modding/620723/29 "2012-05-04T02:56:50Z")
You can be as judgmental as you like … in the Pit. But we do want to keep to some level of civility in Elections. Trash talk is detrimental. ---
**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:** [May 4, 2012, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marley-disagree-with-your-modding/620723/30 "2012-05-04T03:27:47Z")
> [@TubaDiva](#): > > You can be as judgmental as you like … in the Pit. > > But we do want to keep to some level of civility in Elections. Trash talk is detrimental. But at what point does criticism become trash talk? Assume, for the sake of argument, that the incident leading to this thread was, in fact, “trash talking.” It’s still not clear to me how you’re drawing the line here. Nor is it clear, from your comment, whether you draw a line between “trash talking” the party itself, and “trash talking” all the people who support the party. And does this apply only to parties? What about broader belief systems like “liberal” and conservative"? How critical can one be? And what actually constitutes incivility in discussions like this? Does it require swearing or allusions to child abuse? Is it different if you say “some [members of group] are [epithet]” rather than simply “[members of group] are [epithet]”? What really amazed me, in that thread, was that **Marley** included **silenus** in his admonition. Here’s what **silenus** said that caused **Marley** to include his comment as an example of “over the top, vile commentary.” > [@Obama's Ad on bin Laden, Romney: Fair or Foul?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-ad-on-bin-laden-romney-fair-or-foul/620415/97): > > And **Oak**? Just about _anything_ is better than pursuing the conservative agenda. WTF? I see that **silenus** , with his habitual good humor, is rather unfussed about thie issue, but if that comment is now considered out of bounds for non-Pit discussions, you better get out a fucking large ban hammer. **Der Trihs** would be gone in a matter of moments, as would a few other leftists and liberals, and there are also quite a few conservatives who would have trouble passing muster. **Starving Artist** has made a veritable career out of broad-brush assertions about how awful liberals are in GD and Elections. Here’s a small sample that took me about two minutes to gather: > [@Is America Really Backward Compared to the Rest of the West](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-america-really-backward-compared-to-the-rest-of-the-west/532329/120): > > Hah! In point of fact, liberals are about the most intolerant people out there. Do anything less than follow in total lockstep with whatever they think or to whatever degree they think or favor it, and they want to SQUASH you, whether by judical fiat, legislative action or angry societal intimidation. > [@The Tea Party movement's overall effect on the 2010 midterms](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tea-party-movements-overall-effect-on-the-2010-midterms/553916/129): > > Millions more people have died or had their lives ruined as a direct result of liberals making things “better” in this country over the last forty years than ever have as a result of conservative beliefs, which are generally in direct opposition to each of these. > [@Healthcare Reform Down In Flames?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/healthcare-reform-down-in-flames/564004/332): > > That will never happen! Never! Liberals will never, ever, ever admit they were wrong about anything, or that any bad things have happened because of what they’ve done. > [@Angry people: a new perspective?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/angry-people-a-new-perspective/570302/28): > > Each one of these characteristics is typical of adolescence, and each one is typical of liberalism. Certainly you don’t find them much in conservative circles. And just like you’d expect from turning the rudder of society over to a bunch of willful, hedonistic, fault-finding, idealistic, know-it-all adolescents, some things will get marginally better but most will get fucked up beyond all repair. And in my opinion that is exactly what has happened to this country since the days of the counter-culture revolution, and it’s the reason I blame liberals and liberalism for everything that has gone wrong since. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2012, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marley-disagree-with-your-modding/620723/31 "2012-05-04T03:42:16Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > **Starving Artist** has made a veritable career out of broad-brush assertions about how awful liberals are in GD and Elections. Here’s a small sample that took me about two minutes to gather: And in none of those quotes did he assert that liberals are worse than baby rapers. There is plenty of room for debate without going there. ---
**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:** [May 4, 2012, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marley-disagree-with-your-modding/620723/32 "2012-05-04T03:44:34Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > And in none of those quotes did he assert that liberals are worse than baby rapers. There is plenty of room for debate without going there. Right, but my argument was about more than that. I guess i thought someone as smart as you might have grasped that from what i wrote. As i specifically noted in my previous post (did you miss it, or ignore it?), **silenus** ’s very tame post was specifically included by **Marley** under the banner of “over the top, vile commentary” when he issued his admonition. ---
**Author:** ![What\_the](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f4b2a3/32.png) [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2012, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marley-disagree-with-your-modding/620723/33 "2012-05-04T13:29:11Z")
Overlooked or ignored … ? > [@What\_the](#): > > Perhaps GD should have moderators that are less inclined to participate themselves? > > … and while I’m at it, is there any effort to put moderators in Elections that span the political spectrum? I suppose it could go in a new thread… but if it was a tangent you were keen to address I’ll bet you could justify doing so. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2012, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marley-disagree-with-your-modding/620723/34 "2012-05-04T13:46:41Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > Right, but my argument was about more than that. I guess i thought someone as smart as you might have grasped that from what i wrote. > > As i specifically noted in my previous post (did you miss it, or ignore it?), **silenus** ’s very tame post was specifically included by **Marley** under the banner of “over the top, vile commentary” when he issued his admonition. I think one might be able to make an argument that **silenus** ’ post was included since he jumped on the derailment bandwagon. The earlier post was the point of departure, and Marley wanted to stop the whole bit. And, since no warning was issued, it’s realy no big deal. But I agree with the larger point you are making, as I said in my earlier post. This new mod rule seems to have come into being like Athena, bursting out of Zeus’ brow. And if it’s going to be applied, I’d like to see it applied consistently. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2012, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marley-disagree-with-your-modding/620723/35 "2012-05-04T14:47:29Z")
> [@What\_the](#): > > Perhaps GD should have moderators that are less inclined to participate themselves? The administration has previously stated that they have no intent to make any policy preventing moderators from participating in the threads they moderate. If people must give up participation in order to moderate, there will be far fewer willing to be moderators. > [@](#): > > … and while I’m at it, is there any effort to put moderators in Elections that span the political spectrum? I’m not aware there currently are any moderators that span the political spectrum. They had one, once, but he left when he decided the moderators were as a whole too liberal, thereby ensuring that outcome. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2012, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marley-disagree-with-your-modding/620723/36 "2012-05-04T14:50:41Z")
> [@MsWhatsit](#): > > **Marley** is Mexican? Dammit, _I_ thought he was a Golden Retriever. ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2012, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marley-disagree-with-your-modding/620723/37 "2012-05-04T15:05:36Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > And in none of those quotes did he assert that liberals are worse than baby rapers. There is plenty of room for debate without going there. Tell me how you compare raping babies, on a moral scale, with committing genocide: [QUOTE=Starving Artist] Millions more people have died or had their lives ruined as a direct result of liberals making things “better” in this country over the last forty years [/QUOTE] [QUOTE=John Mace] if it’s going to be applied, I’d like to see it applied consistently [/QUOTE] I’d like my pony first, please. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2012, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marley-disagree-with-your-modding/620723/38 "2012-05-04T15:19:09Z")
> [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](#): > > Tell me how you compare raping babies, on a moral scale, with committing genocide: Since there has be no cite of a conservative accusing a liberal of genocide, I decline to dignify that with a substantive response. ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2012, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marley-disagree-with-your-modding/620723/39 "2012-05-04T15:21:17Z")
OK, you tell me what \*\*Starving Artist \*\*was doing, in your own words, then. And, pray, make them improbable. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2012, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marley-disagree-with-your-modding/620723/40 "2012-05-04T15:46:18Z")
Nah…I’m pretty much done with this conversation. Think I’ll go see _The Avengers_ with my wife instead. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marley-disagree-with-your-modding/620723.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marley-disagree-with-your-modding/620723.md?page=3)