# Mods-Please consider rescinding this warning **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [October 17, 2011, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-please-consider-rescinding-this-warning/599937 "2011-10-17T17:59:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-please-consider-rescinding-this-warning/599937/1 "2011-10-17T17:59:40Z")
[http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=14365740&postcount=9](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=14365740&postcount=9) This warning I received, for _innocently_ and _jokingly_ calling another poster an “asshole”, should really be reconsidered. The comment which sparked my response, a humorous reply from **TheChileanBob** , was a recitation of the common childhood verse “Jamie and _person x_ sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g.” I just wanted to rebut that with some humor of my own, so I, with nothing but good nature, called him an asshole. I called him an asshole for being so insensitive as to put me “up in a tree” without realizing that I actually have no way of doing such a thing. Of course it’s all unimportant nonsense. I know ChileanBob didn’t have even the slightest notion of disrespect or insensitivity when he posted what he did. I wasn’t offended **at all**. I was just trying to be funny. I understand the reason behind such rules in these forums. But the _spirit_ of my violation was not in line with why such rules are in place. My violation was merely a technicality. Please consider rescinding the warning. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-please-consider-rescinding-this-warning/599937/2 "2011-10-17T18:31:50Z")
Like **Idle Thoughts** said, “Asshole” is an insult whether you put a smiley face after it or not. Somebody who reads that post isn’t going to see ‘I was not offended, I making a joke about how he put me up a tree even though I can’t climb a tree.’ It’s just you calling him an asshole and then putting a winking smiley afterward. The next time you want to make a joke, just make a joke that doesn’t involve insulting the other person like that. ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-please-consider-rescinding-this-warning/599937/3 "2011-10-17T18:38:07Z")
Our rules aren’t, and can’t be, based on the “spirit” in which something was said. We have no way to interpret or enforce “intentions.” The rules are enforced based on what people say/post, not on the reasons behind it. Sorry, but that’s the way it is and has always been. Here’s the thing about warnings: they essentially have no significance IF you don’t repeat the offense, and don’t make a habit of accumulating them. So, yeah, you were trying to be funny and yeah, it technically stepped over a line. Don’t go there again (or, at least, not very often 😉 ) and don’t sweat it. Later edit: ((OOPs, I got interrupted in the middle of typing and I see that **Marley** beat me to it. Oh, well…)) ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-please-consider-rescinding-this-warning/599937/4 "2011-10-17T18:44:19Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Like **Idle Thoughts** said, “Asshole” is an insult whether you put a smiley face after it or not. Somebody who reads that post isn’t going to see ‘I was not offended, I making a joke about how he put me up a tree even though I can’t climb a tree.’ It’s just you calling him an asshole and then putting a winking smiley afterward. The next time you want to make a joke, just make a joke that doesn’t involve insulting the other person like that. No, “asshole” is an insult when it’s _intended_ as an insult. > **[Redirect Notice](http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=5&sqi=2&ved=0CD8QFjAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.merriam-webster.com%2Fdictionary%2Finsult&ei=CXecTrC-LMXh0QGiqpi2BA&usg=AFQjCNF8uJDLZHREcRyTL3X_obvstbZn6w)** _Asshole_:mad: Reads quite differently than… _Asshole_😃 ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-please-consider-rescinding-this-warning/599937/5 "2011-10-17T18:54:48Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > No, “asshole” is an insult when it’s _intended_ as an insult. You could say that about any word. When you’re saying it about another person, it’s almost always an insult. We give people a break when we can, but it becomes very difficult for us to enforce the rules we do have if we have to dig that deep to figure out someone’s intent. I believe you that you were kidding, but like the man says here: > [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](#): > > Our rules aren’t, and can’t be, based on the “spirit” in which something was said. We have no way to interpret or enforce “intentions.” The rules are enforced based on what people say/post, not on the reasons behind it. Sorry, but that’s the way it is and has always been. Sometimes you don’t say what you meant to say, you just say what you typed. It’s one of the limitations of a text-based medium. I believe you when you say you meant to say ‘I’m not offended, but how do you expect me to climb a tree,’ but you could have just posted all of that and you didn’t. What you did post was this: > [@Flirting, mutual attraction, etc.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flirting-mutual-attraction-etc/599837/5): > > Asshole… > > 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Lare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/53a042/32.png) [@Lare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lare)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-please-consider-rescinding-this-warning/599937/6 "2011-10-17T18:57:10Z")
**Ambivalid** , Only a few of the mods have the ability to read your mind after a post and determine what your actual intent was. Putting a smiley would be an incredible loophole. Anyone could say anything, stick on a smiley and claim there was no intent to insult. I think the only way to avoid that is to say “you can’t call someone a name in this forum” and enforce that. And I further think \*\*C K Dexter Haven \*\*does a really nice job explaining it. ETA: **Marley** types faster than I do. And explains better than I do, too. (And for all I know IS one of the mods who can read minds.) ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-please-consider-rescinding-this-warning/599937/7 "2011-10-17T19:05:50Z")
> [@Lare](#): > > ETA: **Marley** types faster than I do. And explains better than I do, too. (And for all I know IS one of the mods who can read minds.) If he could, he would have banned us all by now. Oh yeah. He did. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-please-consider-rescinding-this-warning/599937/8 "2011-10-17T19:07:33Z")
Ok. I’ll be more careful next time. ---
**Author:** ![Lare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/53a042/32.png) [@Lare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lare)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-please-consider-rescinding-this-warning/599937/9 "2011-10-17T19:15:43Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > Ok. I’ll be more careful next time. Wait. That’s it? We’re not going to have a lot of posters accusing the mods of a conspiracy or collusion or, or, anything? ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-please-consider-rescinding-this-warning/599937/10 "2011-10-17T19:18:24Z")
“But I was only joking!” is probably the most frequent excuse given after receiving a warning for insults. As has been said, putting a smiley after a blatant insult doesn’t negate it. > [@Ambivalid](#): > > I was just trying to be funny. There are lots of better jokes available than calling someone an asshole. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-please-consider-rescinding-this-warning/599937/11 "2011-10-17T19:28:34Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > “But I was only joking!” is probably the most frequent excuse given after receiving a warning for insults. As has been said, putting a smiley after a blatant insult doesn’t negate it. > > There are lots of better jokes available than calling someone an asshole. For the last time, it was not an insult. That being said, I will try to do better in the future and refrain from such mistakes. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-please-consider-rescinding-this-warning/599937/12 "2011-10-17T19:53:22Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > For the last time, it was not an insult. I accept that you intended to use the word as a joke. What I was indicating is that the word itself is by its nature an insulting one and therefore shouldn’t be used. > [@](#): > > That being said, I will try to do better in the future and refrain from such mistakes. Ok. Actually I made my post without having seen that you had already said you would be more careful. I didn’t mean my post as further criticism. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-please-consider-rescinding-this-warning/599937/13 "2011-10-17T20:26:01Z")
No conspiracy here. Move along people. ---
**Author:** ![Yorikke](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yorikke/32/4335_2.png) [@Yorikke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yorikke)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-please-consider-rescinding-this-warning/599937/14 "2011-10-17T20:32:11Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > For the last time, it was not an insult. > That being said, I will try to do better in the future and refrain from such mistakes. For what it’s worth, I find the mod action and mod response to this thread to be vomit-inducing. Buncha fucking lawyers in this thread. Joe ---
**Author:** ![Cheshire\_Human](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Cheshire\_Human](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheshire_Human)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-please-consider-rescinding-this-warning/599937/15 "2011-10-17T20:33:00Z")
[QUOTE=What you could have said, instead] > [@Flirting, mutual attraction, etc.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flirting-mutual-attraction-etc/599837/3): > > Jamie and (someone) sittin’ in a tree… 🙂 😛 [/QUOTE] everyone’s a comedian. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-please-consider-rescinding-this-warning/599937/16 "2011-10-17T21:15:39Z")
This is bullshit. Quite a number of posters have been allowed to post an insult and then add a smiley. In fact they do it exactly as **Ambivalid** did. Heck, **twickster** just recently rescinded a Warning because it was obviously a joke, and everyone else got it. IF you guys actually followed this policy, then you couldn’t say that the poster was obviously quoting a line of dialog. You can’t know what’s in people’s minds, remember. Pretending like this is normal is ridiculous and shows a contempt for other posters that they would actually believe your argument. Only the completely unobservant would not notice that you do not normally warn someone for an insult followed by a smiley. **Idle Thoughts** messed up. This is not unusual for a new mod. Admit it rather than pretending like this is something you guys always do. Because anyone can tell that this is untrue by your previous actions. Don’t insult our intelligence. And, no, with the large number of insults possible and the slowness of the search engine, I’m not going to post examples. I will point out that it happens in The Game Room a lot during sports seasons. ---
**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:** [October 17, 2011, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-please-consider-rescinding-this-warning/599937/17 "2011-10-17T21:18:08Z")
> [@Lare](#): > > Wait. That’s it? We’re not going to have a lot of posters accusing the mods of a conspiracy or collusion or, or, anything? You spoke too soon. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-please-consider-rescinding-this-warning/599937/18 "2011-10-17T21:24:13Z")
Key thing here is that a warning to someone who doesn’t accumulate warnings isn’t a big deal. In the long run, what appear to be overreactions to an out-of-Pit insult will restrain the discourse for the better. That someone else got away with it does show a bit of inconsistency, though not necessarily in the _if he can jump off a bridge why can’t I?_ manner. On a side note: **Ambivalid** , I’m not sure why, but I’m guessing you didn’t get the reference to the childhood chant/tease: “x and y sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g; first comes love, then comes marriage, then comes x in a baby carriage.” ---
**Author:** ![Omegaman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e480ec/32.png) [@Omegaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omegaman)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-please-consider-rescinding-this-warning/599937/19 "2011-10-17T21:27:16Z")
> [@czarcasm](#): > > you spoke too soon. they’re nazis i tells ya!!! ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-please-consider-rescinding-this-warning/599937/20 "2011-10-17T21:34:23Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > On a side note: **Ambivalid** , I’m not sure why, but I’m guessing you didn’t get the reference to the childhood chant/tease: “x and y sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g; first comes love, then comes marriage, then comes x in a baby carriage.” Bwuh? I assumed he did get it, which is why he teased back. That seems to have been so obviously light-hearted that a warning seems silly, but eh, you’re right that the warnings don’t actually matter if you’re not a chronic offender. I’ve received a few warnings which I deserved except one, but I didn’t protest it because meh. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-please-consider-rescinding-this-warning/599937.md?page=2)