# Poster Warned then Suspended for debating in Great Debates **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [October 21, 2019, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poster-warned-then-suspended-for-debating-in-great-debates/842092 "2019-10-21T16:26:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2019, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poster-warned-then-suspended-for-debating-in-great-debates/842092/181 "2019-10-24T16:48:52Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > And here we see a perfect example of race being brought into an unrelated thread. I didn’t bring race into anything. I brought up self-admitted racism. Not the same thing. If I’d said “It’s because you’ve admitted to being Chinese” or whatever, _that’d_ be bringing race into it. Also, not “unrelated” to his post. But then, you already knew that. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2019, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poster-warned-then-suspended-for-debating-in-great-debates/842092/182 "2019-10-24T16:53:49Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > Whoever owns/runs the board these days. It’s been sold, and **Ed** retired. since I last knew for certain who that was. > > Or the deep state/Russians/Ukrainians/Chinese/Lizard People, if you prefer. Sure. And you think these Lizard people are so concerned about one poster on one Message Board that they directly intervene in moderator decisions to ban said poster? Because his nonsensical postings are thwarting their global takeover or something? Ok. :dubious: ---
**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 24, 2019, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poster-warned-then-suspended-for-debating-in-great-debates/842092/183 "2019-10-24T16:53:52Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > Or the deep state/Russians/Ukrainians/Chinese/Lizard People, if you prefer. I think we should take your request as seriously as you do. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2019, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poster-warned-then-suspended-for-debating-in-great-debates/842092/184 "2019-10-24T16:55:38Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > This board, especially the debate forums, should not be a safe space for anyone. Psst. **Steophan**. You said the silent part out loud again. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2019, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poster-warned-then-suspended-for-debating-in-great-debates/842092/185 "2019-10-24T16:55:52Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > I didn’t bring race into anything. I brought up self-admitted racism. Not the same thing. If I’d said “It’s because you’ve admitted to being Chinese” or whatever, _that’d_ be bringing race into it. > > Also, not “unrelated” to his post. But then, you already knew that. Yes, you did bring race into it, because for whatever reason you are incapable of viewing the world without considering race. It’s unfortunate that **SlackerInc** also seems obsessed with it, but he’s not going around trying to silence people due to their views. ---
**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 24, 2019, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poster-warned-then-suspended-for-debating-in-great-debates/842092/186 "2019-10-24T16:57:11Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > Yes, you did bring race into it, because for whatever reason you are incapable of viewing the world without considering race. > > It’s unfortunate that **SlackerInc** also seems obsessed with it, but he’s not going around trying to silence people due to their views. Lots of accusations, but no evidence. Got evidence? ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2019, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poster-warned-then-suspended-for-debating-in-great-debates/842092/187 "2019-10-24T16:58:51Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Psst. **Steophan**. You said the silent part out loud again. The part you quoted is the summation of my whole argument, and not something I would ever want to be silent. I’ve never tried to have your homophobic or ableist insults to me silenced, even though the (obviously) make me uncomfortable. I think I _have_ reported some of your racist posts, but only because of the double standard they display - which I’m sure is a genuine mistake on your part and in now ay reflects on your character… ---
**Author:** ![Ace309](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ace309/32/1050_2.png) [@Ace309](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ace309)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2019, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poster-warned-then-suspended-for-debating-in-great-debates/842092/188 "2019-10-24T16:59:39Z")
> [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > That’s enough of that, andy. Do not suggest other posters should leave or are not welcome here. I strenuously disagree that this is or should be against any board rule or norm. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2019, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poster-warned-then-suspended-for-debating-in-great-debates/842092/189 "2019-10-24T17:00:26Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Lots of accusations, but no evidence. > Got evidence? [https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/member.php?u=13366](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/member.php) ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2019, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poster-warned-then-suspended-for-debating-in-great-debates/842092/190 "2019-10-24T17:01:56Z")
> [@Ace309](#): > > I strenuously disagree that this is or should be against any board rule or norm. I agree, for what it’s worth. In case anyone thought otherwise, that mod intervention wasn’t due to me reporting the post or anything of that nature. ---
**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 24, 2019, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poster-warned-then-suspended-for-debating-in-great-debates/842092/191 "2019-10-24T17:02:04Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > [https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/member.php?u=13366](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/member.php) What is this supposedly evidence of? ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2019, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poster-warned-then-suspended-for-debating-in-great-debates/842092/192 "2019-10-24T17:05:04Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > Sure. And you think these Lizard people are so concerned about one poster on one Message Board that they directly intervene in moderator decisions to ban said poster? Because his nonsensical postings are thwarting their global takeover or something? > > Ok. :dubious: Seems to me that’s just the kind of thing a Lizard Person would say. ---
**Author:** ![Chingon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chingon/32/17645_2.png) [@Chingon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chingon)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2019, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poster-warned-then-suspended-for-debating-in-great-debates/842092/193 "2019-10-24T17:05:16Z")
OMG was Will that close to the truth that he had to be silenced?! ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2019, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poster-warned-then-suspended-for-debating-in-great-debates/842092/194 "2019-10-24T17:24:46Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > Yes, you did bring race into it Nope, did not. There’s no mention of race in my post. > [@Steophan](#): > > The part you quoted is the summation of my whole argument, and not something I would ever want to be silent. Well, at least you’re proud. As it were. > [@](#): > > your homophobic or ableist insults to me My _what_, now? > [@](#): > > I think I _have_ reported some of your racist posts As is your right. Whatever posts those were. ---
**Author:** ![Isosleepy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/isosleepy/32/479_2.png) [@Isosleepy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isosleepy)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2019, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poster-warned-then-suspended-for-debating-in-great-debates/842092/195 "2019-10-24T17:32:28Z")
If after the warning Will had posted here that he disagreed, I think I would have agreed: the post in question is not imo obviously unrelated to the topic at hand. But that isn’t what he did next. He insulted Bone. I hate people getting banned, I think every time we do, no matter how justified, we are diminished a little. But that post in and of itself deserved a ban. ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2019, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poster-warned-then-suspended-for-debating-in-great-debates/842092/196 "2019-10-24T17:57:09Z")
I agree that his response to the warning was out of bounds. But I see it as “fruit of the poisonous tree”, as he should not have gotten the warning that spurred his response. > [@Steophan](#): > > I agree, for what it’s worth. In case anyone thought otherwise, that mod intervention wasn’t due to me reporting the post or anything of that nature. Nor did I. ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2019, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poster-warned-then-suspended-for-debating-in-great-debates/842092/197 "2019-10-24T18:17:44Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > You’ve shown that you support shutting down certain types of discussion, specifically right wing/libertarian discussion. Whether you do so because of your own beliefs or because you are told to by TPTB is ultimately irrelevant. To shed some light on general process - all the moderators act independently of their own accord. There are general rules and guidelines, like don’t disclose information that we are aware of solely as a result of having moderator access, we can’t Pit people, and we don’t disclose private discussions between other mods. But as far as actual moderator actions - we have pretty much unfettered latitude to act as we see fit. The registration agreement is also set up this way. A board like this wouldn’t function very well if decision making was top down. > [@](#): > > As for whether the post in question is on topic, it would be hard for it to be _more_ on topic. The thread is literally about whether the Government should be allowed to shut down speech it deems harmful, and **Will Farnaby** ’s post, in total, consists of his opinion of that sort of action, and some examples of it. > > So, not only was your rule that only applied to him a bullshit rule, _it didn’t even apply to this case_. This really is the main point of disagreement. You think his post was on topic, and I don’t. You see it as a thread about government shutting down harmful speech, a first amendment type thread. That’s not what the thread was about, and only by generalizing at a very broad level can it be construed that way. Just because a thread involves a hypothetical person speaking, doesn’t mean the thread was about government shutting down harmful speech. Because the thread was also about a hypothetical ex-president, with dimension, disclosing classified information without authorization. That’s a far cry from government shutting down speech it deems harmful. Will tried to shoehorn his pet topic into the thread, which he did previously, and was precisely what he was instructed not to do. How we handle disclosure of classified information by a person suffering from mental illness is not about statism or anti-statism, or whistleblowing. And that’s what Will tried to do in many threads. Remove context, and shift discussion towards the topics that he wanted to discuss, hijacking threads. He was on notice to not do that. Actually got a separate warning for doing that last month. But if you think his post was on topic, I could see why you’d disagree with further action. Obviously it’s a judgment call, though not one based on a particular viewpoint. I’m comfortable with the judgment made. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2019, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poster-warned-then-suspended-for-debating-in-great-debates/842092/198 "2019-10-25T00:14:22Z")
> [@Bone](#): > > You think his post was on topic, and I don’t. You see it as a thread about government shutting down harmful speech, a first amendment type thread. The thread was literally about what should be done by the Government if someone tries to reveal classified information. **Will Farnaby** ’s post was about what the Government does to people who reveal classified information. It would be, quite literally, impossible for it to be more on topic. This claim that he was warned for being off topic is factually false, and it makes you and the staff here look ridiculous every time you make it. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2019, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poster-warned-then-suspended-for-debating-in-great-debates/842092/199 "2019-10-25T00:31:31Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > The thread was literally about what should be done by the Government if someone tries to reveal classified information. **Will Farnaby** ’s post was about what the Government does to people who reveal classified information. It would be, quite literally, impossible for it to be more on topic. > > This claim that he was warned for being off topic is factually false, and it makes you and the staff here look ridiculous every time you make it. You’re still wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2019, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poster-warned-then-suspended-for-debating-in-great-debates/842092/200 "2019-10-25T00:41:14Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > You’re still wrong. You must enjoy gaslighting people. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poster-warned-then-suspended-for-debating-in-great-debates/842092.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poster-warned-then-suspended-for-debating-in-great-debates/842092.md?page=11)