# Moderation of inappropriate sexual commentary **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [May 6, 2013, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderation-of-inappropriate-sexual-commentary/657626 "2013-05-06T15:55:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 22
**Author:** ![mlees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@mlees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlees)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderation-of-inappropriate-sexual-commentary/657626/421 "2013-05-07T14:50:24Z")
> [@bucketybuck](#): > > One question for the mods. > > Do the new guidelines for moderation of inappropriate sexual commentary apply to threads in the Pit? I don’t think so: > [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](#): > > \ > > BTW: even in the Pit, there’s a minimum of “good manners and common courtesy” – some types of flaming (outright racism, sexism, etc) are not permitted. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderation-of-inappropriate-sexual-commentary/657626/422 "2013-05-07T14:57:33Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > See I read those quotes very differently. She’s plainly not accusing anyone of sexual assault for posting jokes: she’s accusing people of posting jokes about sexual assault. That’s a giant difference. Whether she’s actually calling people sexual assailants or she’s saying they endorse/support/promote sexual assault through their jokes, it’s not a “giant difference.” It’s a pretty serious accusation and/or implication either way. One poster has already been warned for being too loose with accusations and implications of sexual assault against other posters here. That’s my beef. To use a phrase I read on the other side of this debate recently, she’s using language meant to “sexually shame” a group of posters on this board. There is no, I repeat NO, endorsement of sexual assault coming from these damn dirty jokes in the pantsless pope thread nor the sorority tirade thread. Nor is there any actual sexual assault taking place. Nor are there any deviant sexual fantasies being disclosed or carried out. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderation-of-inappropriate-sexual-commentary/657626/423 "2013-05-07T14:57:47Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > That **is** a clarification - thanks. Maybe you could add a mod note to the pantsless Pope thread that previous mod notes in the thread should not be interpreted as examples of the new policies. That is such a bad idea that Pandora herself would say “Even I wouldn’t open _that_ box!” ---
**Author:** ![akennett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee59a6/32.png) [@akennett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/akennett)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderation-of-inappropriate-sexual-commentary/657626/424 "2013-05-07T15:22:19Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > That is such a bad idea that Pandora herself would say “Even I wouldn’t open _that_ box!” Watch out! That was dangerously close to the types of comments that got modded in the Pantsless Pope thread in the first place. Opening a box is _clearly_ making a joke about how much you want to sexually assault that chick. ---
**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 7, 2013, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderation-of-inappropriate-sexual-commentary/657626/425 "2013-05-07T15:22:32Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > It’s baffling that board policy would refuse to comment on whether mod notes in the very threads that have caused the firestorm would be valid under the new regime, but maybe this series of exchanges has managed to finally, painstakingly wheedle out an answer. > > I’m taking this to mean that the mod notes in the Pantsless Protester and the Cunt-Punting Sorority Sister threads are not the kind of moderation that will be applied in the future. Your take is (sadly) incorrect. > [@Ellen\_Cherry](#): > > Speaking as an MPSIMS mod, **I think my moderation of Skald’s thread fits into the newly articulated guidelines.** He went to great pains to describe her (as is his wont) — but the thread was about managing her for not following the dress code, in addition to the guy who was yelling obscenities into the phone. It was a workplace issue with inappropriately revealing clothes as a _component_. > > **Same with the naked pope woman.** The topic of discussion was her protest. The fact that she was naked was part of her protest, but that doesn’t mean the door’s open to fuck-jokes. > > That is the way I see it. **That is the way I, Ellen, an MPISMS moderator understand we are going to do things from now on.** (bolding mine-Fenris) So…the new standard _is_ the colossal screw-up in the Pantsless Pope Girl and Sorority Girl threads. Which is a shame. ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderation-of-inappropriate-sexual-commentary/657626/426 "2013-05-07T15:31:37Z")
So when do we get the t-shirt “I survived The Straight Dope Misogyfest, 2013”? Or… at least a campaign-style button to wear? ---
**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:** [May 7, 2013, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderation-of-inappropriate-sexual-commentary/657626/427 "2013-05-07T15:40:17Z")
> [@drewtwo99](#): > > So when do we get the t-shirt “I survived The Straight Dope Misogyfest, 2013”? Or… at least a campaign-style button to wear? Careful Drew, your t-shirt is one “R” away from being a mod-able offense. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderation-of-inappropriate-sexual-commentary/657626/428 "2013-05-07T15:44:28Z")
> [@Fenris](#): > > Your take is (sadly) incorrect. > > (bolding mine-Fenris) > > So…the new standard _is_ the colossal screw-up in the Pantsless Pope Girl and Sorority Girl threads. > > Which is a shame. Giving the utmost respect to the SDMB staff as well as the stated intent of the new rules as set forth by both the administration and member advocates, it’s beginning to look like that the refusal to retract the modding in those threads really is just a face-saving measure and not truly an example of how the policy is to be implemented. If that’s the case, I can be comfortable with that. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderation-of-inappropriate-sexual-commentary/657626/429 "2013-05-07T15:56:36Z")
> [@drewtwo99](#): > > So when do we get the t-shirt “I survived The Straight Dope Misogyfest, 2013”? Or… at least a campaign-style button to wear? Well, you have to survive it first, right? ---
**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 7, 2013, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderation-of-inappropriate-sexual-commentary/657626/430 "2013-05-07T16:10:01Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Giving the utmost respect to the SDMB staff as well as the stated intent of the new rules as set forth by both the administration and member advocates, it’s beginning to look like that the refusal to retract the modding in those threads really is just a face-saving measure and not truly an example of how the policy is to be implemented. If that’s the case, I can be comfortable with that. Except this is _Ellen_–she’s one of the few mods who doesn’t have a problem retracting modding. I think she’s serious. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderation-of-inappropriate-sexual-commentary/657626/431 "2013-05-07T16:11:32Z")
I’m trying very hard to give everyone the benefit of the doubt and see this is the best possible light. ---
**Author:** ![bldysabba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecccb3/32.png) [@bldysabba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bldysabba)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderation-of-inappropriate-sexual-commentary/657626/432 "2013-05-07T16:11:49Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > Whoops. Actually, this raises a great question. Would the post made by **Vinyl Turnip** be moddable now? For those who don’t feel like clicking through, thread is titled “The agony of big boobs”, started by a poster whose breast size causes her back ache, and 12 posts in, VT goes “Funny, I’ve never found them anything but pleasant.” ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderation-of-inappropriate-sexual-commentary/657626/433 "2013-05-07T16:17:11Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > Whether she’s actually calling people sexual assailants or she’s saying they endorse/support/promote sexual assault through their jokes, it’s not a “giant difference.” It’s a pretty serious accusation and/or implication either way. One poster has already been warned for being too loose with accusations and implications of sexual assault against other posters here. That’s my beef. First, yeah, there IS a giant difference between endorsing something and doing it. I’ll let you try out the analogies yourself, so that I don’t confuse Hentor any more than he already is–but there’s no ethical or legal precedent for claiming that there’s only a minor difference between endorsing something and doing it. Second, there’s another giant difference between joking about something and endorsing it. So if you’re reading complaints about joking about sexual assault as complaining that you’re (impersonal you’re) endorsing sexual assault, you’re already off-base. Then if you’re reading complaints about endorsing sexual assaults as accusing you (impersonal you) of committing sexual assault, you’re off-base again. ---
**Author:** ![mlees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@mlees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlees)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderation-of-inappropriate-sexual-commentary/657626/434 "2013-05-07T16:29:30Z")
> [@mlees](#): > > I don’t think so: (post #421) Gah! That should be “I think so.” Meaning, it appears that these new… clarifications of the rules we already have… apply to the pit. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderation-of-inappropriate-sexual-commentary/657626/435 "2013-05-07T16:30:54Z")
> [@mlees](#): > > (post #421) > > Gah! > > That should be “I think so.” That’s OK- you were right the first time. ---
**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:** [May 7, 2013, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderation-of-inappropriate-sexual-commentary/657626/436 "2013-05-07T16:37:05Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > I’ll let you try out the analogies yourself, so that I don’t confuse Hentor any more than he already is Hey, _you_ made the romantic restaurant analogy, then you frantically backpedaled. You’re the one who looked confused there. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderation-of-inappropriate-sexual-commentary/657626/437 "2013-05-07T16:38:25Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Hey, _you_ made the romantic restaurant analogy, then you frantically backpedaled. You’re the one who looked confused there. What romantic restaurant analogy? It was a yodeling obscenities analogy! Again: you fail at analogies if you think the goal of them is to pick an irrelevant detail from them and do your best Dr. Phil After Too Many Gin and Tonics impression. It’s not backpedaling to explain to people how analogies work. ---
**Author:** ![Enginerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bcef8e/32.png) [@Enginerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enginerd)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderation-of-inappropriate-sexual-commentary/657626/438 "2013-05-07T16:39:39Z")
> [@bldysabba](#): > > Actually, this raises a great question. Would the post made by **Vinyl Turnip** be moddable now? For those who don’t feel like clicking through, thread is titled “The agony of big boobs”, started by a poster whose breast size causes her back ache, and 12 posts in, VT goes “Funny, I’ve never found them anything but pleasant.” Let’s see… > [@Ellen\_Cherry](#): > > \*\*Here, then, are the guidelines we will use when determining whether a post with sexual references needs review and might be subject to moderation: > > 1. Is it directed at another poster on this board? > 2. Is it a sexual comment in a thread with a non-sexual topic? > 3. Is it a sexual joke in a thread on a serious sexual topic?\*\* I think that post would (and should) be modded according to the new rules. It’s a gratuitous sexual comment in a serious, non-sexual thread - it falls smack dab in the middle of criterion 2. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderation-of-inappropriate-sexual-commentary/657626/439 "2013-05-07T16:40:11Z")
> [@rowrrbazzle](#): > > Were those links posted anywhere in threads on this subject previously? I’ve been avoiding this whole matter until now, so I don’t know. If they had been, I think the discussion would’ve been a lot shorter and a lot less acrimonious. Hmm.Hmm. I can’t dig up links at the moment, but in at least one or two of the monster threads, I posted many of the same links that you’re referring to. I also recall a few others doing the same. > [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > See I read those quotes very differently. She’s plainly not accusing anyone of sexual assault for posting jokes: she’s accusing people of posting jokes about sexual assault. That’s a giant difference. Ding ding ding, this is totally what I was talking about. And I’m sorry, you guys _are_ often joking about sexual assault. That’s whole damned problem here. It’s genuinely astonishing to me that some of you are so voraciously trying to defend otherwise. But for clarity’s sake: joking about sexual assault doesn’t a rapist make. I’m not calling you a rapist or someone who wants to sexually assault someone. You are, however, making _jokes_ about sexual assault. That’s the whole point. ---
**Author:** ![colander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e8c25b/32.png) [@colander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/colander)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderation-of-inappropriate-sexual-commentary/657626/440 "2013-05-07T16:42:59Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > Ding ding ding, this is totally what I was talking about. And I’m sorry, you guys _are_ often joking about sexual assault. That’s whole damned problem here. It’s genuinely astonishing to me that some of you are so voraciously trying to defend otherwise. but it’s not sexual assault because in my joke, she _wanted_ it [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderation-of-inappropriate-sexual-commentary/657626.md?page=21) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderation-of-inappropriate-sexual-commentary/657626.md?page=23)