# 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:** 7
**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 23, 2019, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poster-warned-then-suspended-for-debating-in-great-debates/842092/121 "2019-10-23T17:28:29Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > There is no argument more powerful and effective than “I _could_ provide evidence to support my point, but you would only…” > > :rolleyes: Not “you would only”, although I’m sure there would be some kind of blustery hemming and hawing about how it’s completely different, just as we saw from Bone in response to my examples upthread. But more to the point, I am willing to scan a few GD threads for examples, but not to undertake some kind of FBI level cyberinvestigation of posters to go back into their posting history and build a case. ---
**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 23, 2019, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poster-warned-then-suspended-for-debating-in-great-debates/842092/122 "2019-10-23T17:31:04Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > Not “you would only”, although I’m sure there would be some kind of blustery hemming and hawing about how it’s completely different, just as we saw from Bone in response to my examples upthread. But more to the point, I am willing to scan a few GD threads for examples, but not to undertake some kind of FBI level cyberinvestigation of posters to go back into their posting history and build a case. Translation: You’ve got absolutely nothing to back up your claim, except over-the-top hyperbole and off-topic analogies. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2019, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poster-warned-then-suspended-for-debating-in-great-debates/842092/123 "2019-10-23T17:34:27Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > Oh, I have absolutely zero doubt that you are patiently working on building up to it with me, starting with ticky-tack fouls so you can later claim that there have been X number within Y length of time. If I magically had access to your PMs, I am confident they would show a massive number of people screaming at you to get rid of me, and assurances from you that you are working on it but that I am cagey so it will therefore take some time. If he ever accuses you of fisking, then know that your days are numbered. ---
**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 23, 2019, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poster-warned-then-suspended-for-debating-in-great-debates/842092/124 "2019-10-23T17:37:06Z")
In how many threads has Manson replied to completely unrelated posts of mine to accuse me of facilitating sex trafficking (because when strippers use Uber from the strip club to get rides home after work, I don’t refuse to drive them)? That’s one I notice because it’s aimed at me and it’s irksome; but I’m sure there are countless other examples in the many threads I don’t read. And that actually could justifiably be called harassment, unlike bringing up one’s pet theory of politics in various debate threads. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2019, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poster-warned-then-suspended-for-debating-in-great-debates/842092/125 "2019-10-23T17:38:17Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > In how many threads has Manson replied to completely unrelated posts of mine to accuse me of facilitating sex trafficking (because when strippers use Uber from the strip club to get rides home after work, I don’t refuse to drive them)? That’s one I notice because it’s aimed at me and it’s irksome; but I’m sure there are countless other examples in the many threads I don’t read. And that actually could justifiably be called harassment, unlike bringing up one’s pet theory of politics in various debate threads. Any of them not in the pit? If so, report it, that’s not appropriate. If it’s in the pit… well… yeah. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2019, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poster-warned-then-suspended-for-debating-in-great-debates/842092/126 "2019-10-23T18:02:16Z")
Okay guys, maybe we should all admit it – yes, there’s a conspiracy to ban **SlackerInc** , and we’re all in on it. It’s been going on for years. **Bone** is the ringleader, and he recruited me with promises of gentle modding and reasonable discussion. Pack it in, folks, we’re busted. Sorry! ---
**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:** [October 23, 2019, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poster-warned-then-suspended-for-debating-in-great-debates/842092/127 "2019-10-23T18:13:42Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > In how many threads has Manson replied to completely unrelated posts of mine to accuse me of facilitating sex trafficking Ima gonna guess 17. Unless this is like Price Is Right and I can’t go over, in which case I’ll say 15. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2019, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poster-warned-then-suspended-for-debating-in-great-debates/842092/128 "2019-10-23T18:17:54Z")
Oh! I know this strategy, I’m going with 1! ---
**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 23, 2019, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poster-warned-then-suspended-for-debating-in-great-debates/842092/129 "2019-10-23T18:25:53Z")
> [@Bone](#): > > Do you believe that moderators should enforce rules to prevent thread hijacks? Yes, as long as that enforcement is based solely on the relevance of the post, not the political content or the response from others. > [@Bone](#): > > Do you believe that topic bans should be an available tool for moderators to impose? No. The idea that only certain people should be able to talk about a particular subject is unacceptable. ---
**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 23, 2019, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poster-warned-then-suspended-for-debating-in-great-debates/842092/130 "2019-10-23T18:40:51Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > You didn’t need to \*stalk \*\*\*Will \*\*to know what his major malfunction was. > > Find a left-wing poster who does it so openly and unrepentantly, and remains unmodded, I dare you. _You_ bring race into every single unrelated topic, in fact you’ve already complained in this thread about not being free enough to call people racist. Whilst libertarianism is obviously stupid, it’s at least an attempt to look at things through a proper analytical outlook based on economics, rather than the race/gender/intersection based nonsense that passes for thought in most threads here. Hell, even a Marxist analysis would be better than the sociological bullshit that most of the lefties here use to view the world. And yet, I’ll keep reading it, and I’ll hope that you keep posting it - because the only way to meaningfully disagree with it is to understand it and know how it is used. It’s a shame you don’t want to offer the same courtesy to those whose opinions you believe are wrong and harmful, the way most people (in the real world) see your views where feelings matter more than facts. This applies just as much to Trump supporters or religious people as to you, of course. ---
**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 23, 2019, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poster-warned-then-suspended-for-debating-in-great-debates/842092/131 "2019-10-23T18:41:32Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > The idea that only certain people should be able to talk about a particular subject is unacceptable. This. How long has that even been a thing, anyway? I feel like I’ve only noticed it in the past few months, but I don’t read the vast majority of the board and I never used to read ATMB at all, so maybe I was blissfully unaware. ETA: Post #130 is sensationally on point. ---
**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 23, 2019, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poster-warned-then-suspended-for-debating-in-great-debates/842092/132 "2019-10-23T18:43:42Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > In how many threads has Manson replied to completely unrelated posts of mine to accuse me of facilitating sex trafficking (because when strippers use Uber from the strip club to get rides home after work, I don’t refuse to drive them)? That’s one I notice because it’s aimed at me and it’s irksome; but I’m sure there are countless other examples in the many threads I don’t read. And that actually could justifiably be called harassment, unlike bringing up one’s pet theory of politics in various debate threads. Yay! I got mentioned! Also, it’s **manson1972** , thanks. Besides, I’m banned from the Positive Gun News thread, and the Positive Abortion News thread. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2019, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poster-warned-then-suspended-for-debating-in-great-debates/842092/133 "2019-10-23T18:47:45Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > How long has that even been a thing, anyway? [Pretty much since the beginning.](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=4273702&postcount=69) First instruction from **manhattan** for **handy** to stay away from medical topics was Thanksgiving weekend, 2000. First warning was Veterans Day weekend, 2001. ---
**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 23, 2019, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poster-warned-then-suspended-for-debating-in-great-debates/842092/134 "2019-10-23T18:53:24Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > _You_ bring race into every single unrelated topic, Yeah, my GQ geology and CS Pratchett and music posts are just \*loaded \*with race references :rolleyes: > [@](#): > > in fact you’ve already complained in this thread about not being free enough to call people racist. I didn’t _complain_ about jackshit. I _pointed out_ something about moderating factual insults, which was perfectly on-point to the post I was replying to. ---
**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 23, 2019, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poster-warned-then-suspended-for-debating-in-great-debates/842092/135 "2019-10-23T18:55:37Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > No. The idea that only certain people should be able to talk about a particular subject is unacceptable. I think this is probably a key point of contention. The moderation staff maintains that a topic ban or other restrictions as deemed necessary are available tools to be used in order to foster discussion. This is unlikely to change. It’s been in our registration agreement for quite some time - as long as I can remember since I’ve been a poster here. Given that, we are probably at an impasse if you feel this is unacceptable. The moderation team will continue with this as an available tool, and you can choose how you wish to proceed. ---
**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 23, 2019, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poster-warned-then-suspended-for-debating-in-great-debates/842092/136 "2019-10-23T18:56:40Z")
Yes, I have been mulling that decision myself. It’s galling to think about giving the haters what they want, but… > [@MrDibble](#): > > I didn’t _complain_ about jackshit. > > I _pointed out_ something about moderating factual insults, which was perfectly on-point to the post I was replying to. It’s always somehow completely different when one’s own ox is being gored. > [@Skywatcher](#): > > [Pretty much since the beginning.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=47975) First instruction from **manhattan** for **handy** to stay away from medical topics was Thanksgiving weekend, 2000. First warning was Veterans Day weekend, 2001. Blissfully unaware it is! ---
**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 23, 2019, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poster-warned-then-suspended-for-debating-in-great-debates/842092/137 "2019-10-23T19:09:49Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > It’s always somehow completely different when one’s own ox is being gored. Or, you know, when it’s just completely different. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2019, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poster-warned-then-suspended-for-debating-in-great-debates/842092/138 "2019-10-23T19:09:55Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > And now he’s _banned_ over this ticky-tack BS? Jesus. :smack: I have said the moderation here has been on a worrisome trajectory, but this is moving way faster than even I had expected. It follows a pattern. A vocal minority find a target and push a narrative. The volume of complaints make a small problem with easy to implement solutions into an issue that needs to be solved. Problem gets solved. It’s almost like it’s a long running game for certain posters. > [@Ravenman](#): > > The issue was that we were hearing about statists and Murray Rothbard in threads about the weather. Yeah, that’s would be annoying after awhile. But statism and authoritarianism in threads about politics and controlling speech? That seems at least tangentially related and what makes the very carefully crafted warning seem not so carefully used in this particular case. It’s feels like a subjective gotcha. > [@Bone](#): > > You keep coming back to this - shutting down opinions - but it’s not accurate. As a threshold matter I think it would be illustrative if you could answer a couple questions: > > Do you believe that moderators should enforce rules to prevent thread hijacks? > Do you believe that topic bans should be an available tool for moderators to impose? IM, not asked for, O I think yes and yes. But if it’s a conditional topic ban having a hair trigger on cases that aren’t even on the edge of the condition looks bad. ---
**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 23, 2019, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poster-warned-then-suspended-for-debating-in-great-debates/842092/139 "2019-10-23T19:16:10Z")
> [@Bone](#): > > The moderation staff maintains that a topic ban or other restrictions as deemed necessary are available tools to be used in order to foster discussion. Topic bans do the opposite of foster discussion. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2019, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poster-warned-then-suspended-for-debating-in-great-debates/842092/140 "2019-10-23T19:19:40Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > Topic bans do the opposite of foster discussion. Wrong! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poster-warned-then-suspended-for-debating-in-great-debates/842092.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poster-warned-then-suspended-for-debating-in-great-debates/842092.md?page=8)