# Pit rules have been revised **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [February 24, 2009, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-rules-have-been-revised/487256 "2009-02-24T19:34:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 18
**Author:** ![raindog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@raindog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raindog)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-rules-have-been-revised/487256/341 "2009-02-25T03:52:01Z")
> [@Revenant\_Threshold](#): > > Hang on - how is this not abusive? > > I mean, at least if someone calls me a fucking dickhead, I know that they’re just searching for insults and not in fact truly calling my a fornicating penis-headed individual. But your words, on the other hand - petty, juvenile, profanity laden drivel - these are all words that make sense, and (it seems fair to guess) are intended as an accurate castigation of some individuals. I for one would be much more hurt (to the extent I am hurt by internet insults) by your words being applied to me than some random string of expletives - they are, to my mind, far more abusive in nature, since they are an attempt at an accurate sum of faults. They certainly denote effort, but it is effort to denigrate. I understand your point, but if I say that your post was pure drivel, or banal, or juvenile, or…it’s addressing your words. (or more accurately, the meaning I attach to them) If that was your best effort, you may infer I think you’re an idiot, but that many not be true at all. My words are _mine_. The meaning is _yours_. I should address your words----your thoughts as you’ve presented them----but I should not attack _you._ I can see how someone may take an attack on their words as an attack on them, but that is their _meaning._ ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-rules-have-been-revised/487256/342 "2009-02-25T03:55:08Z")
> [@Ed\_Zotti](#): > > Oh, dear. I was mostly being facetious. That’s the problem with discussions of this sort, … One of the problems of this sort is that you, Ed, can’t really afford to be facetious in a thread like this, as you are the one laying down the law, and no one feels they can afford to treat anything you say like a joke. Remember when Ronald Reagan, on one of those days when a few neurons were working together, said, “The bombs go off in 20 minutes”? Obviously it was a joke, but it still wasn’t something someone in his position should have said in public. ---
**Author:** ![Revenant\_Threshold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-rules-have-been-revised/487256/343 "2009-02-25T03:57:57Z")
> [@raindog](#): > > I understand your point, but if I say that your post was pure drivel, or banal, or juvenile, or…it’s addressing your words. (or more accurately, the meaning I attach to them) If that was your best effort, you may infer I think you’re an idiot, but that many not be true at all. > > My words are _mine_. The meaning is _yours_. > > I should address your words----your thoughts as you’ve presented them----but I should not attack _you._ > > I can see how someone may take an attack on their words as an attack on them, but that is their _meaning._ But what if, for example, you had already made clear yourself that you believe such efforts _were_ my best efforts? [QUOTE=raindog] It is my opinion----and life experience— that the most common practitioners of this “subset” were often the dumbest. That’s not to say that all profanity is the tool of the dullard. But profanity isn’t simply a tool in the tool kit of many in The Pit, it’s the only tool they have, or it appears that way. I think the new rule will force them to use tools that, to date, have seen little use. H.L Mencken would be proud. [/QUOTE] Such as there, for example, wherein you directly insult (“the dumbest”) as well as outright say that you believe in many cases such words are the only tool they have? That rather seems to show and compound the abusiveness, in both your and my meanings. Moreover, using this standard, would you consider it fine were people to use “filthy” words as long as the target was constrained to a poster’s words? Would “fucking drivel” be acceptable? ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-rules-have-been-revised/487256/344 "2009-02-25T04:03:48Z")
> [@raindog](#): > > Clearly we’re experiencing life quite differently. So, I will gladly _shut up_, as it relates to citing gratuitous name calling in the Pit. > > In a strange irony, even if I couldn’t find instances where Dopers were calling Dopers filthy names (and it would appear Ed is suffering from the same delusion that I am in that regard…) it would seem to make the point. > > I mean, if the Dopers in the Pit are already models of decorum and grace, what in the world is Ed smoking, and why are so many Dopers fighting for the right for something they’re not even practicing? Oh, dude. Don’t fall for that trick. It’s the oldest GD & Pit trick in the world. It’s older than Jahway. There is “cite” and then there is “jump through hoops cite.” Don’t fall for the latter. ---
**Author:** ![ToeJam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dfb087/32.png) [@ToeJam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ToeJam)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-rules-have-been-revised/487256/345 "2009-02-25T04:04:35Z")
So **raindog** , what’s your take on the phrase “_butthurt much?_” as a comment to another poster? As it’s not a profane obscene curse at all, but it’s an interesting phrase when tossed around the Pit, and I’m curious to your opinion (as you said you like to avoid the Pit, so I’d like your take on it). Because right now, I’m lost on where it falls in the new rules. ---
**Author:** ![VarlosZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d78d45/32.png) [@VarlosZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VarlosZ)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-rules-have-been-revised/487256/346 "2009-02-25T04:08:36Z")
> [@Orbifold](#): > > The new rules won’t keep people from being dickish. They won’t keep precious real people from having their precious real feelings hurt. They won’t keep people from leaving. They won’t limit hateful, hostile behaviour. They might, from time to time. There’s value to couching one’s criticisms in softer language. It allows a greater opportunity for confrontations to be walked back, or even to be ignored without losing face. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-rules-have-been-revised/487256/347 "2009-02-25T04:10:08Z")
> [@Ed\_Zotti](#): > > …Please understand what I’m trying to do here. I’m trying to limit outbreaks of hateful, hostile behavior, which occur fairly rarely but often enough that they bother me. I think that’s a worthwhile and achievable goal. If it emerges that there’s some different way to phrase the rules that accomplishes the same result in a way people find easier to understand, sure, we can adjust the words. I have a suggestion (made upthread, by me and others): How about **don’t be a jerk?** Why wouldn’t that cover what you’re saying? Just enforce the rules you have rather than making confusing new ones. (Except the criticism-in-ATMB, which makes sense to me.) ---
**Author:** ![chacoguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/50afbb/32.png) [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-rules-have-been-revised/487256/348 "2009-02-25T04:12:59Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > One of the problems of this sort is that you, Ed, can’t really afford to be facetious in a thread like this, as you are the one laying down the law, and no one feels they can afford to treat anything you say like a joke. > > Remember when Ronald Reagan, on one of those days when a few neurons were working together, said, “The bombs go off in 20 minutes”? Obviously it was a joke, but it still wasn’t something someone in his position should have said in public. EXACTLY, We’re supposed to not be upset, relax and see how it goes and post away freely like we always have until, _Whoops!_ we cross an ill defined invisible line and get banned. This rule will only help those that are interested in drive-by’s that don’t give a shit if they’re banned or not. I refer to my posting upthread as the perfect example. He’s legal because he’s not insulted any specific poster; if I wish to respond, I’ll have to refer to him specifically, or make some pointless statement about how, in general, people that insult all SDMB posters, in general, lack a certain…FUCK! In real life, if someone says " Mormons are all child molesters"; I would respond with “Fuck you, you ignorant douche” and I’m not even Mormon. Now, I must act as if they are a respected member of society and attempt to reason them away from their ignorance. Ignorance at the level of racism and bigotry does not deserve a civil response. Why is it that willfully uncivil posters must receive a civil response? ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-rules-have-been-revised/487256/349 "2009-02-25T04:19:31Z")
> [@chacoguy420](#): > > In real life, if someone says " Mormons are all child molesters"; I would respond with “Fuck you, you ignorant douche” and I’m not even Mormon. Now, I must act as if they are a respected member of society and attempt to reason them away from their ignorance. Ignorance at the level of racism and bigotry does not deserve a civil response. Why is it that willfully uncivil posters must receive a civil response? Because the question was civil. Trolling, too. But civil. There’s no rule you have to respond to a troll at all. In fact, “don’t feed the trolls” has worked pretty well. An unfed troll has nowhere to go but away. ---
**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:** [February 25, 2009, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-rules-have-been-revised/487256/350 "2009-02-25T04:19:54Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Please reconsider. Please at least indicate taht you’re taking this response from board users seriously. > [@catsix](#): > > Aw hell. Now I’m even agreeing with **Dorkness**. It’s even scarier-now **I’m** agreeing with **YOU**. I suspect the Earth is about to stop spinning on its axis any second now. Another thing I thought of-the mods are probably going to have to deal with a far, far higher than normal amount of reported posts. If only out of spite. People are going to be pissed because THEY got warned, and someone else did not. Or even if just because they see someone ever so vaguely skirting the rules, and because they can’t really say, “Fuck you, you piece of turtle-semen”, they’ll just hit Report. (No, I am NOT saying I’ll be doing this. It will, however, be tempting) I give this about a month, TWO at the most-and then either the old rules will come back or Ed’ll just shut the Pit down all together. ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-rules-have-been-revised/487256/351 "2009-02-25T04:26:38Z")
> [@raindog](#): > > And _that_ is a shame. Hey, Jiminey Cricket, are you this much of a moralistic schoolmarm in your interactions with your friends? You must be the last person anybody wants to play _Grand Theft Auto_ with. Christ. How’s that for a non-vulgar way of calling you an asshole? Make you feel like the level of discourse has been raised? Also, as has already been pointed out (but which you obviously didn’t catch), typing c\*unt kind of defeats the purpose of using the asterisk. Then again, the asterisk is worthless when used properly anyway since everybody knows what word you’re saying, and only makes you seem like a prudish Mormon child. Hey, maybe these Pit rules _will_ work! ---
**Author:** ![crypto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-rules-have-been-revised/487256/352 "2009-02-25T04:27:20Z")
Believe it or not, I’ve read all of the responses. And only a few of you have hit on what this is about. Money. As Tom Cruise quoted his father in his book “Defending the Kingdom”, in the movie Vanilla Sky, on "page one, paragraph one, line one. “What’s the answer to 99 out of 100 questions? Money”. That’s all this is. A business decision to get the natives restless. Nothing more. 1. Real life examples? A business model needs to be created to get advertisers to pony up money to increase revenue. What’s the first big internet creation that’s gone the advertising route? AOL. They don’t want you to pay to subscribe. They want you to use the free service, gather your email, use the same crappy interface, but now, the ads are everywhere. That’s the business model. And it’s working. The less subscribers AOL has, the less live people it needs to answer phones, handle complaints or technical issues, or anything else that takes a human being to solve. See any parallels here? And when the paying customer goes the way of the do-do bird, there won’t be any complaints from “a paying customer”. Sorry, TM’s. You are all free posters on this message board. Take your complaints, file them in triplicate, and we’ll get back to you. Soon! 2. Ed doesn’t want people paying. Even if there was some agreement made way back when pay-to-post began, I’m not sure how legally binding it is. But making arbitrary, and confusing rule changes serves two purposes. One, it increases traffic on the board (always good for advertisers to see), and two, more than a few of you will stop paying. If Ed would have come up with a cooler name than “Guest” for the non-paying posters, maybe more would have done it sooner. But what he miscalculated was the loyalty that some of the members of these boards have and being a “charter member” or “member” was worth just as much to them as not seeing the ads. I suspect if TPTB would have permitted those who stuck it out and paid to post to be called Charter Members, and anyone else who had paid at least once to be members, many more would have dropped their subscriptions. I’m sure a few love not seeing ads, but the pay model is going to go away. Sooner rather than later. Why have two different revenue streams, one a paltry sum compared to the other? It’s an annoyance. Shutting it off will happen, either by attrition or management fiat within the year. 3. Inflaming the posters will help drive board activity, and that is always good for the bottom line. Board activity rises, revenues increase. These things are calculated to raise revenue. Ed doesn’t care about you, the customer. Because we aren’t the customer anymore. We are a means to an end. That’s it. Your idea of your self importance to the board is just that. YOUR idea. It’s in your head. The key is board activity and advertising dollars. Simple as that. 4. The only way to get any reaction out of Ed or TPTB is to stop visiting the board. Literally. Take 6 months off… watch the activity on the board plummet. That might get his attention. But he’s betting it won’t happen. His “we’ll see” demonstrates this attitude. He doesn’t believe that those of you who have been around for 10 years or so can say goodbye so easily. 5. Perhaps a viable board alternative, with posters transferring their id’s and ideas to a similarly set up board would be very successful. Is it so important to be a member of the Straight Dope? Is Cecil Adams truly going to keep you around? If so, Ed has you right where he wants you. And you will put up with anything that changes around here. And Ed is banking on it. 6. I would not be surprised that Ed’s compensation comes with a kicker for the profit from the board. This would also help motivate his decisions and actions. It’s all about the bottom line, folks. Ed’s eyes are right on that line. He will do whatever he needs to to increase profits for the board. It won’t matter how unpopular his decisions and actions might be. So if Ed says it’s so, it’s so. It’s all about the money, folks. ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Armageddon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/858c86/32.png) [@Mister\_Armageddon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Armageddon)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-rules-have-been-revised/487256/353 "2009-02-25T04:29:38Z")
Well, Ed, if you wanted to give the Snarkpit record traffic, mission accomplished. Because that’s pretty much going to be the new pit with the rules you’ve put in place. And if you thought that place caused some major resentment in the past, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet. The only question I have is why? Why is this necessary? Has there been some massive troll invasion that I missed? Because it seems like we’ve been doing fine in the pit the way things have always been done. What little drama has been generated in the past few months has consistently come from you and the other moderators with your bizarre interpretations of the rules. This, to put it mildly, isn’t going to help. If I were a conspiracy theorist, and I’m not saying that I am, I’d almost think that you’re deliberately making the rules vague so you can get rid of anyone you feel like and at least have some vague justification for it. Nothing else makes the least bit of sense. And I find it bizarre that you’ve not only completely ignored the will of the users that are paying for this place, you seem to actually enjoy pissing them off. Again, if there’s some explanation for this that would clear my concerns up, I’d be glad to hear it. It’s funny, I used to regret not paying for this place. I never did post much when I had access here, but I’ve enjoyed lurking and I’ve been around on some level since the AOL days. I found other stuff to do, but something kept drawing me back. Unfortunately, I see now that I made the right decision. Whatever once made the SDMB special has been completely and thoroughly sucked out recently. And if you want to know why, Ed, look in the damned mirror. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-rules-have-been-revised/487256/354 "2009-02-25T04:30:25Z")
> [@Ed\_Zotti](#): > > Please understand what I’m trying to do here. I’m trying to limit outbreaks of hateful, hostile behavior, which occur fairly rarely but often enough that they bother me. Please understand what people are trying to say here. A rule that cannot be defined or understood will - not may or can, but will - be applied capriciously and selectively. Which are exactly the faults that people have, quite correctly IMO, have found with you personally in recent incidents. You cannot brush off the creation of a rule that makes you automatically appear as a arbitrary dictator by saying trust me, my arbitrariness and dictatorial policies in the past have earned me that trust. That’s sorta the opposite of all leadership and management skills. You are as much or more the source of the problems as those rare outbreaks of behavior these rules are supposed to cure. Your not seeing that, or at least not acknowledging that, is the reason why nothing you say convinces anyone. I just read this in Fortune, quoting the former CEO of Wal-Mart. > [@](#): > > At one time in my career, if someone criticized us, my first thought was, Why don’t they like us? Or, What could we do to them? vs. now, when I think, Could the criticism have some truth? Nothing will change until your attitude similarly changes. Start with a simple apology. Don’t trust me when I say that will make a difference. See for yourself. ---
**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:** [February 25, 2009, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-rules-have-been-revised/487256/355 "2009-02-25T04:32:50Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > One of the problems of this sort is that you, Ed, can’t really afford to be facetious in a thread like this, as you are the one laying down the law, and no one feels they can afford to treat anything you say like a joke. > > Remember when Ronald Reagan, on one of those days when a few neurons were working together, said, “The bombs go off in 20 minutes”? Obviously it was a joke, but it still wasn’t something someone in his position should have said in public. (OT: I think he was actually doing his old “actor” thing, and pretending he was announcing a nuclear war. Another sign of his stupidity) On topic? Treating your CUSTOMERS’ concerns like a joke? That’s not a joke. ---
**Author:** ![chacoguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/50afbb/32.png) [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-rules-have-been-revised/487256/356 "2009-02-25T04:35:56Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > Because the question was civil. Trolling, too. But civil. There’s no rule you have to respond to a troll at all. In fact, “don’t feed the trolls” has worked pretty well. An unfed troll has nowhere to go but away. I guess that’s my point. Pit threads are started in _response_ to something that others have said; so now, when someone says “Democrats hate America and always have.” The Democrats should concede the field and not ‘feed the troll’? Would a serious response, with cites, not raise such stupidity to serious debate? Is _that_ fighting ignorance? So, the next dumbass that wanders in and questions whether humans have walked on the moon; he should be met with “My, you’re an intelligent fellow; there are two sides to every coin, but my opinion differs. Mind you, your intellect and reasoning are clearly equal to anyone’s; it’s simply a difference in opinion. For heaven’s sake, I would never suggest that you are stupid, ignorant or wrong Oh Worthy Adversary.” ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-rules-have-been-revised/487256/357 "2009-02-25T04:47:18Z")
> [@Ed\_Zotti](#): > > 1. You’re not going to get banned because you called somebody a cunt. We’ll just tell you to stop. If you keep it up after you’ve been told to stop, then you could have problems, although in the early going we’re not likely to come down on anyone too hard. One of my all-time favorite Pit threads was the one in which I was called a bitch who was acting like a ripe bloody fucking cunt. I actually laughed my ass off when I originally read the OP, and had to wipe away the tears of laughter before I could see well enough to compose my reply. And guess what, we managed to come to a polite resolution _without any Moderator intervention_ on my poor, put-upon, insulted behalf. :rolleyes: While I’ve had to resort to reporting a few posts where insults were directed at me in Great Debates where the rules disallow it, insults in the Pit, where they belong, I can handle myself without a babysitter, thankyouverymuch. I think the same could be said for the vast majority of us. ---
**Author:** ![chacoguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/50afbb/32.png) [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-rules-have-been-revised/487256/358 "2009-02-25T04:49:09Z")
> [@shayna](#): > > one of my all-time favorite pit threads was the one in which i was called a bitch who was acting like a ripe bloody fucking cunt. I actually laughed my ass off when i originally read the op, and had to wipe away the tears of laughter before i could see well enough to compose my reply. And guess what, we managed to come to a polite resolution _without any moderator intervention_ on my poor, put-upon, insulted behalf. :rolleyes: > > While i’ve had to resort to reporting a few posts where insults were directed at me in great debates where the rules disallow it, insults in the pit, where they belong, i can handle myself without a babysitter, thankyouverymuch. I think the same could be said for the vast majority of us. here, here! ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-rules-have-been-revised/487256/359 "2009-02-25T04:51:01Z")
> [@chacoguy420](#): > > I guess that’s my point. Pit threads are started in _response_ to something that others have said; so now, when someone says “Democrats hate America and always have.” The Democrats should concede the field and not ‘feed the troll’? Would a serious response, with cites, not raise such stupidity to serious debate? Is _that_ fighting ignorance? > So, the next dumbass that wanders in and questions whether humans have walked on the moon; he should be met with “My, you’re an intelligent fellow; there are two sides to every coin, but my opinion differs. Mind you, your intellect and reasoning are clearly equal to anyone’s; it’s simply a difference in opinion. For heaven’s sake, I would never suggest that you are stupid, ignorant or wrong Oh Worthy Adversary.” You can ignore them if you think they’re trolling, or fight their ignorance. Why would you pit someone for asking a question? “Was the Moon landing faked?” “Goddamn you stupid mother fucking ignorant cocksucker!” Uh, that’s not cool. ---
**Author:** ![chacoguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/50afbb/32.png) [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-rules-have-been-revised/487256/360 "2009-02-25T04:53:39Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > You can ignore them if you think they’re trolling, or fight their ignorance. Why would you pit someone for asking a question? > > “Was the Moon landing faked?” > “Goddamn you stupid mother fucking ignorant cocksucker!” > > Uh, that’s not cool. Obviously, people that think like you, hate America. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-rules-have-been-revised/487256.md?page=17) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-rules-have-been-revised/487256.md?page=19)