# Mods/Admins, seriously stop it with the "Pls help, I need money" threads. **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [August 13, 2012, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-admins-seriously-stop-it-with-the-pls-help-i-need-money-threads/631333 "2012-08-13T01:57:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2012, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-admins-seriously-stop-it-with-the-pls-help-i-need-money-threads/631333/181 "2012-08-15T23:59:59Z")
> [@Shakes](#): > > It’s become very clear to me that the Mods/Admins use the word “Vetting” very loosely around here. > > For crying out loud Mods, when some unsuspecting ‘Joe’ reads in the very first sentence of a “gimme” thread: “First off, I got permission from the Mods to start this thread.”: > > One could easily, (and rightly) infer from that; that it is indeed an endorsement from the Mods of said chairity. Thus giving the reader a false sense of security. > > Sure, all of this is covered in the official guidelines, but how many people on this board have the entire guidelines commited to memory? > > It’s ridiculous. > [@hajario](#): > > Maybe I am missing something but this all seems pretty simple and reasonable to me. > > Correct me if I’m wrong: > > -If anyone wants financial help for a cause, they have to run it by the Staff first so email or PM the request to your favorite Moderator. The cause could be a charity or direct help for the requester of maybe even something else. > -The Staff will review each request. They will make their best subjective decision based on the nature of the request and the history of the requester. They will not do much, if any, work to verify the veracity of the facts of the request. (Define the word “vet” here however you like.) > -If approved, the request may be posted. > -Other posters are free to donate or not but should be aware, like with anything else in life, that, while unlikely, it may not be on the up and up. > -Like in any non-Pit thread, people are free to disagree and post contrary information but not to be dicks or threadshitters about it. If you feel that you must be more vehement in your disagreement, start a Pit thread and link to it in the main thread. > > Does that make sense? I think everybody in this thread knows what the policy is. The problem is the mods have refused to answer the question: “Why vet the threads at all?” I mean, if their standard is so f’n low, why bother? To be cliche: Any job worth doing, is worth doing right. Also, as I said upthread, when a beggar starts a gimme thread with: “I got permission from the mods to start this thread” It gives the reader the impression that the mods endorse said thread. Which is fucked up because the reader now has a false sense of security. ---
**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:** [August 16, 2012, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-admins-seriously-stop-it-with-the-pls-help-i-need-money-threads/631333/182 "2012-08-16T00:26:25Z")
> [@TubaDiva](#): > > We don’t like avatars, period. > > It says right in the registration agreement: > > What part of that is unclear? You completely missed my point. I’m not talking about avatars, (that was merely an example) I’m talking how the admins seem to worry over the wrong things, or come up with lame scenarios, to dismiss things they don’t like. But when there IS a real possibility of some harm to the place, you pull out the registration agreements. It’s inconsistant, and it doesn’t make sense. Don’t come up with stupid arguments that you know are bullshit. And I agree – if you’re feeling so poorly, you need to take a break, and hand the reins over to someone else. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2012, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-admins-seriously-stop-it-with-the-pls-help-i-need-money-threads/631333/183 "2012-08-16T00:36:31Z")
> [@Shakes](#): > > The problem is the mods have refused to answer the question: “Why vet the threads at all?” I’ve answered that question several times. You may not find that answer personally satisfactory, but it’s been answered. > [@](#): > > Also, as I said upthread, when a beggar starts a gimme thread with: “I got permission from the mods to start this thread” It gives the reader the impression that the mods endorse said thread. Which is fucked up because the reader now has a false sense of security. In other words people might get the wrong impression if they don’t read the rules, don’t pay attention, and don’t put much thought into what they’re reading. I agree, they might. ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2012, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-admins-seriously-stop-it-with-the-pls-help-i-need-money-threads/631333/184 "2012-08-16T01:03:05Z")
Is no one going to at least address my suggestion? But them in the damn Marketplace and then you wouldn’t even _have_ to vet them that hard. Do you vet what people are selling there? You only vet it when it’s a problem. So put the money threads in the money forum. Anybody listening to me? ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2012, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-admins-seriously-stop-it-with-the-pls-help-i-need-money-threads/631333/185 "2012-08-16T01:04:30Z")
> [@A Monkey With a Gun](#): > > Is no one going to at least address my suggestion? But them in the damn Marketplace and then you wouldn’t even _have_ to vet them that hard. Do you vet what people are selling there? You only vet it when it’s a problem. So put the money threads in the money forum. > > Anybody listening to me? Yes and presumably no one thinks that it’s a good solution. ---
**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:** [August 16, 2012, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-admins-seriously-stop-it-with-the-pls-help-i-need-money-threads/631333/186 "2012-08-16T01:06:43Z")
> [@A Monkey With a Gun](#): > > Is no one going to at least address my suggestion? But them in the damn Marketplace and then you wouldn’t even _have_ to vet them that hard. Do you vet what people are selling there? You only vet it when it’s a problem. So put the money threads in the money forum. > > Anybody listening to me? Heard, but don’t agree. Requests for charity are not the same thing as offering to buy and/or sell. ---
**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:** [August 16, 2012, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-admins-seriously-stop-it-with-the-pls-help-i-need-money-threads/631333/187 "2012-08-16T02:02:43Z")
That and only members can post there. Although making a subset of Marketplace might not be a bad idea. ---
**Author:** ![MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MPB_in_Salt_Lake)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2012, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-admins-seriously-stop-it-with-the-pls-help-i-need-money-threads/631333/188 "2012-08-16T02:06:35Z")
> [@Beastly\_Rotter](#): > > I’ve heard great things about that little Uighur barbecue place in the Village. O THERE’S SOMETHING IN MY EYE, (probably a poppy seed from the naan) ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2012, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-admins-seriously-stop-it-with-the-pls-help-i-need-money-threads/631333/189 "2012-08-16T04:47:11Z")
Most of the folks posting in this thread wringing their hands about the mods not doing enough are the same people who went off and created a loose-modded board in retaliation to what they thought was too much modding over here. Rich! We’re all adults here. What makes a mod better to “vet” requests than the posters? Especially since they seem to be regarded as incompetent boobs by most of you posting here. Let anyone post their requests (like it is now) and if you think they’re full of shit, call them out on it. There - vetted. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2012, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-admins-seriously-stop-it-with-the-pls-help-i-need-money-threads/631333/190 "2012-08-16T04:57:11Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > Most of the folks posting in this thread wringing their hands about the mods not doing enough are the same people who went off and created a loose-modded board in retaliation to what they thought was too much modding over here. Rich!. Bullshit! Make a list and let’s see. ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2012, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-admins-seriously-stop-it-with-the-pls-help-i-need-money-threads/631333/191 "2012-08-16T06:12:41Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Yes and presumably no one thinks that it’s a good solution. Why not? Honestly, why not? Give me reasons why that is not a good solution. The threads are contained with a built in firewall (membership) against scamming. How is that not good? ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2012, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-admins-seriously-stop-it-with-the-pls-help-i-need-money-threads/631333/192 "2012-08-16T06:30:14Z")
Let me put it another way. Even though I am just a “guest”, I believe membership should have its privileges. A “guest” should not have the privilege to use this board to raise money. That’s it. Easy policy change: All threads with money changing hands are in Marketplace - yet still subject of mod actions and questions. Marketplace is an underserved forum, anyway. This might give some life to it. It’s a win win. ---
**Author:** ![Beastly\_Rotter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/45deac/32.png) [@Beastly\_Rotter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beastly_Rotter)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2012, 8:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-admins-seriously-stop-it-with-the-pls-help-i-need-money-threads/631333/193 "2012-08-16T08:02:16Z")
> [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](#): > > O THERE’S SOMETHING IN MY EYE, (probably a poppy seed from the naan) Naw, that’s just the smoke from the camel dung fires. ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2012, 10:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-admins-seriously-stop-it-with-the-pls-help-i-need-money-threads/631333/194 "2012-08-16T10:34:06Z")
> [@A Monkey With a Gun](#): > > Let me put it another way. Even though I am just a “guest”, I believe membership should have its privileges. A “guest” should not have the privilege to use this board to raise money. That’s it. > > Easy policy change: All threads with money changing hands are in Marketplace - yet still subject of mod actions and questions. > > Marketplace is an underserved forum, anyway. This might give some life to it. It’s a win win. Well, you seemed to ignore it when I suggested it at post #91. (And Dan, I will not be ignored!) 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2012, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-admins-seriously-stop-it-with-the-pls-help-i-need-money-threads/631333/195 "2012-08-16T10:40:27Z")
> [@Cicero](#): > > Well, you seemed to ignore it when I suggested it at post #91. Sorry, I missed that. But, hey, we both know it’s a good idea. ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2012, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-admins-seriously-stop-it-with-the-pls-help-i-need-money-threads/631333/196 "2012-08-16T11:06:38Z")
Obviously not a good idea with the rest of the troops. (And I understand it is difficult to read and remember every post in a thread). ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2012, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-admins-seriously-stop-it-with-the-pls-help-i-need-money-threads/631333/197 "2012-08-16T11:40:31Z")
Ok, well then enlighten me. Why is it not a good idea? Maybe I’m a little slow, but I never saw a good argument against it. So somebody tell me why it’s not a good idea. What the hell is wrong with just putting them in the Marketplace? ---
**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:** [August 16, 2012, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-admins-seriously-stop-it-with-the-pls-help-i-need-money-threads/631333/198 "2012-08-16T11:51:42Z")
See post #186. ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2012, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-admins-seriously-stop-it-with-the-pls-help-i-need-money-threads/631333/199 "2012-08-16T12:00:53Z")
I’m sorry **Cicero** if I sounded a little strong there, I shouldn’t have gotten snippy with you. It’s just that I read this thread and it’s all about bitching to the mods that they should “vet” things better. Mostly, it’s just general bitching at the mods without any ideas for solutions to the problem. You and me are the only ones that have even halfway put forth a method to fix the problem. And there is not a single post in this thread arguing against putting OP’s asking for money in the Marketplace. The knee jerk reaction form posters to any perceived problem is to keep the status quo and just bitch at the mods. The mods knee jerk is to defend themselves. That doesn’t fix shit. If there is a problem, put them in the Marketplace and be done with it. ETA: I read your post the first time, **Czarcasm**. It wasn’t worth much. ---
**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:** [August 16, 2012, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-admins-seriously-stop-it-with-the-pls-help-i-need-money-threads/631333/200 "2012-08-16T12:09:51Z")
> [@A Monkey With a Gun](#): > > ETA: I read your post the first time, **Czarcasm**. It wasn’t worth much. Why don’t you quit pretending that you are looking for reasons why it can’t be done, because reasons _have_ been put forth, and just flat -out say that it is the only solution that you are willing to accept? You aren’t looking for reasons-you’re looking for capitulation. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-admins-seriously-stop-it-with-the-pls-help-i-need-money-threads/631333.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-admins-seriously-stop-it-with-the-pls-help-i-need-money-threads/631333.md?page=11)