# Problematic Moderation: Rico and Curtis LeMay **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [January 1, 2010, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problematic-moderation-rico-and-curtis-lemay/523323 "2010-01-01T19:50:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![kidneyfailure](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9f8e36/32.png) [@kidneyfailure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidneyfailure)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2010, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problematic-moderation-rico-and-curtis-lemay/523323/161 "2010-01-08T11:30:26Z")
> [@ivn1188](#): > > That’s a pretty sad stance. I’m glad you aren’t in charge. Yeah, majority rule. How awful :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![kidneyfailure](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9f8e36/32.png) [@kidneyfailure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidneyfailure)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2010, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problematic-moderation-rico-and-curtis-lemay/523323/162 "2010-01-08T11:31:51Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > If you have no evidence, shut up. Ever thought about taking your own advice? He claimed he had it and it “seemed” like he had it? Hardly ironclad proof. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2010, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problematic-moderation-rico-and-curtis-lemay/523323/163 "2010-01-08T14:38:26Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > No one has brought a single shred of evidence that Curtis is faking, but you guys keep on wanting to assume the possibility. If you have no evidence, shut up. The person providing the claim of the disorder needs to provide the evidence. All we saw was evidence of inappropriate behavior that did not respond to moderator feedback. ---
**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:** [January 8, 2010, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problematic-moderation-rico-and-curtis-lemay/523323/164 "2010-01-08T15:06:33Z")
Why do I have to explain this? You guys are not this stupid. Normal people with any level of social awareness TAKE PEOPLE AT THEIR WORD unless they have proof otherwise. Maybe I should just start making up crap about you guys, and see how you like it. I ---
**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:** [January 8, 2010, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problematic-moderation-rico-and-curtis-lemay/523323/165 "2010-01-08T15:13:33Z")
> [@kidneyfailure](#): > > Ever thought about taking your own advice? > > He claimed he had it and it “seemed” like he had it? Hardly ironclad proof. At least I provided something. You guys have provided none. And, honestly, take a look at his posts. Read what an Aspie is. Then show me behaviors that are inconsistent with the diagnosis. I’ve covered mine: Lack of awareness of social mores. Lack of common sense. Hyperlexia. Inflexible moral code. Blurts out diagnosis for no reason. Asks inappropriate questions Generally seems odd. Can’t understand why people don’t like him. What proof do you offer that he’s not? Some trolls like to fake disorders. Lots of people only think they are Aspies. Both of which rely on paranoia to believe. I didn’t Dopers were conspiracy theorists. ---
**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:** [January 8, 2010, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problematic-moderation-rico-and-curtis-lemay/523323/166 "2010-01-08T15:15:45Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > No one has brought a single shred of evidence that Curtis is faking, but you guys keep on wanting to assume the possibility. If you have no evidence, shut up. There is considerable evidence that **Curtis** is quite aware that his behavior here may get him banned. In fact, we have given him very substantial benefit of the doubt regarding some of his previous posts. Taken at face value, in my opinion they strongly suggest he may be trolling. Your picture of **Curtis** as a completely naive individual who has no awareness of what he is doing is not at all in accord with his posts. On August 25, **Curtis** started the following thread in ATMB. I can’t link to it since it has been removed from view: [QUOTE=Curtis LeMay] Creating a Sockpuppet How do I create a sockpuppet account after being banned without getting caught by the administrator? [/QUOTE] On December 27, **Curtis** started the following poll, which has also been removed from view: [QUOTE=Curtis LeMay] If You Got Banned From Straight Dope Message Board If you got banned from this message board would you create a sockpuppet account? [/QUOTE] In this poll, **Curtis** voted “Yes” (the only poster to do so before the thread was closed). This thread got him his fourth warning, after which I notified him that any further warnings could result in his suspension. **Curtis** mentions being banned from other boards in the following posts: A vegetarian board: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=11492457&postcount=1](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=11492457&postcount=1) An alternate history discussion board: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=11492506&postcount=40](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=11492506&postcount=40) [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=11827486&postcount=17](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=11827486&postcount=17) Regarding the second he notes: [QUOTE=Curtis LeMay] I was banned from Alternate History Discussion Board as the user General Mung Beans because I posted a self-wank about me becoming Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court. As a result I have returned as numerous sockpuppet accounts. [/QUOTE] In [this ATMB thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=11672642&postcount=1) he asks about establishing a “Hall of Infamy” here for banned members. [QUOTE=Curtis LeMay] Hall of Infamy? In an another message board I went to there is a Hall of Infamy where banned members are listed and discussed. Should there be a similar thread for this site? [/QUOTE] Taken as a whole these posts do not give a picture of a poster who is unaware that his behavior might result in a banning, nor of someone who is overly concerned with following board rules, on this board or others. ---
**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:** [January 8, 2010, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problematic-moderation-rico-and-curtis-lemay/523323/167 "2010-01-08T15:29:18Z")
> [@kidneyfailure](#): > > Obviously. Thankfully. > > Am I the only one honest enough to admit that, ages or “disorders” be damned, I’m happy that **Curtis Lemay** isn’t posting here anymore because I didn’t like his posts? I don’t believe for one single second that I’m the only one. > > Don’t try to hide behind the “ethics of the board,” ok? You didn’t like him, I didn’t like him, he’s gone now, we’re happy. What’s the problem? Ethics smethics. Whether you like Curtis or not is highly irrelevant. This isn’t your Facebook page. This isn’t Survivor. We don’t make people go away because they annoy us here. Don’t like him? Good, ignore him. That’s what I do for posters I don’t like, and if one of said posters was banned or suspended, I’d be glad that he was no longer posting, but I would be miffed if the reason for his banning was that he was simply annoying. Ideally, people who annoy me would realize they’re annoying and go away on their own, but it seldom seems to work out that way. Such is message boarding. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2010, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problematic-moderation-rico-and-curtis-lemay/523323/168 "2010-01-08T15:49:05Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > This is what makes me so insane about all this. The guy claimed he had it. His behavior is consistent with it. But you guys want to be paranoid about it. > > You guys have had people that have faked it. I get it. But why not LEARN from that? Instead of going around assuming that everyone you don’t like is lying (like I’ve seen on certain other boards), LEARN about what it takes to have a mental disorder, and LEARN to spot flaws in the story. > > No one has brought a single shred of evidence that Curtis is faking, but you guys keep on wanting to assume the possibility. If you have no evidence, shut up. You’re the one who doesn’t get it - I don’t care if he has Asperger’s or not. Since no one can ever provide enough evidence in a place like this to conclusively prove something like that one way or another, we have to live in the middle ground of taking people somewhat at their word, but not letting what could be big fat lies change the rules for them. I think the mods and admins in this thread have done an admirable job of explaining this to you. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2010, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problematic-moderation-rico-and-curtis-lemay/523323/169 "2010-01-08T15:52:33Z")
No seriously. “Aspie.” To paraphrase Walter Sobchak, is that the perferred nomenclature? It sounds kind of demeaning to me. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2010, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problematic-moderation-rico-and-curtis-lemay/523323/170 "2010-01-08T16:22:53Z")
Whether or not **Curtis LeMay** has Asperger’s - which I think is believable - his track record here and on other sites shows he has a good idea of how to annoy people on message boards, and that he consistently does those things. I did try to strike up a conversation with **Curtis LeMay** back in September via private message to try to explain that it would help if he paid more attention to the responses he was getting so he wouldn’t [wind up alienating a lot of posters.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=531678) That was aside from dialing back on how many threads he was starting. (At that time it was getting ridiculous.) He didn’t ignore me but he didn’t respond to that whole thing. We’re not just cracking down on the guy. We’re trying to work with him. Whether it’s because of a learning disability or not, that isn’t sinking in. ---
**Author:** ![dhkendall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a9adbd/32.png) [@dhkendall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dhkendall)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2010, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problematic-moderation-rico-and-curtis-lemay/523323/171 "2010-01-08T16:45:03Z")
Having read all this (and seeing valid arguements on both sides), my thought (such as it is) was more or less echoed previously, to whit: - The board has rules - Everyone (everyone) is expected to abide by them - You don’t abide by them, you get kicked out. Simple. We can’t make exceptions for people, even if there is undeniable proof a poster has Aspergers, if this precludes him from following the rules, then they can’t stay. Our board, our rules. We also require potential Dopers to have a computer. Yes, this lets out millions of people, through no fault of their own, who can’t join this wonderful place (decide whether or not that’s sarcastic, I do think this place is wonderful, though.) But, rules are rules, you dont’ have a computer (or access to one), you can’t be a Doper. We have rules that you have to be at least 13 years old to join the SDMB. Not 13? Then you can’t abide by the rules and you cannot be a member of our community. See where I’m going. Basically, if you can’t follow the rules, you’re gone. Curtis couldn’t follow the rules (listen when mods say knock it off), so he’s gone. Is it unfair, given he may have Asperger’s? Possibly, but is it also unfair to disallow under 13s here? ---
**Author:** ![HongKongFooey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c4cdca/32.png) [@HongKongFooey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HongKongFooey)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2010, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problematic-moderation-rico-and-curtis-lemay/523323/172 "2010-01-08T19:13:20Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > No seriously. “Aspie.” To paraphrase Walter Sobchak, is that the perferred nomenclature? It sounds kind of demeaning to me. Sounds demeaning to me too. I don’t worry about it much though since half the people I’ve heard claim they have it found out via the internet. Re: Curtis, what’s the big deal? He’ll be back following his suspension and eventually it will become clear whether the flashing sign with the arrow is blinking “troll” or “aspie”. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2010, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problematic-moderation-rico-and-curtis-lemay/523323/173 "2010-01-08T19:35:51Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > And, honestly, take a look at his posts. Read what an Aspie is. Then show me behaviors that are inconsistent with the diagnosis. I’ve covered mine: Nowhere in your list does it say “Cannot comprehend the English language.” He did not respond to moderator warnings. That right there destroys any excuse Asperger’s might have given him. My Asperger’s friend has left and been kicked out of many, many internet communities. Usually it was because of an unwillingness to fit in with the mores of that particular community. But never, ever did she simply ignore the community leaders. In fact, the reason they eventually got tired of her was because she wanted to talk about issues _too much_ when the leaders just wanted to get on with business or fun. Asperger’s does not make it impossible to understand being told there is a problem, even if the person can’t understand what the problem is. They may react with confusion, indignation, or even relief that someone was helping them figure out the problem. But ignoring is not a symptom. That’s why his claim of Asperger’s is suspect. If he was posting in good faith, he would have responded to the moderators in _some_ fashion. That’s all there is to it. > [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > No seriously. “Aspie.” To paraphrase Walter Sobchak, is that the perferred nomenclature? It sounds kind of demeaning to me. _shrug_ My friend and her Asperger’s friends use it among themselves, and she hasn’t ever been annoyed with me using it. I can certainly see how it can be used derogatorily, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be so. ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2010, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problematic-moderation-rico-and-curtis-lemay/523323/174 "2010-01-08T20:10:35Z")
Whatever the situation, whatever "it’ could be in determining someone’s behavior here – it might be a reason but it shouldn’t be an excuse. ---
**Author:** ![StusBlues](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@StusBlues](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StusBlues)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2010, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problematic-moderation-rico-and-curtis-lemay/523323/175 "2010-01-09T01:44:11Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > No seriously. “Aspie.” To paraphrase Walter Sobchak, is that the perferred nomenclature? It sounds kind of demeaning to me. “Aspie” is what many Aspies call themselves and each other. It’s not derogatory. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2010, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problematic-moderation-rico-and-curtis-lemay/523323/176 "2010-01-09T01:52:12Z")
Yeah, but they’re Aspies; what the hell do they know? ---
**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:** [January 9, 2010, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problematic-moderation-rico-and-curtis-lemay/523323/177 "2010-01-09T02:27:06Z")
**BigT** , I think you might want to read [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=546497). I think it sums up your attitude towards Aspies. ---
**Author:** ![tagos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@tagos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tagos)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2010, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problematic-moderation-rico-and-curtis-lemay/523323/178 "2010-01-12T15:20:29Z")
> [@kidneyfailure](#): > > Obviously. Thankfully. > > Am I the only one honest enough to admit that, ages or “disorders” be damned, I’m happy that **Curtis Lemay** isn’t posting here anymore because I didn’t like his posts? I don’t believe for one single second that I’m the only one. > > Don’t try to hide behind the “ethics of the board,” ok? You didn’t like him, I didn’t like him, he’s gone now, we’re happy. What’s the problem? None whatsoever. Frighteningly immature, woefully uninformed about almost everything and willfully ignorant about the rest. Good riddance. ---
**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:** [January 13, 2010, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problematic-moderation-rico-and-curtis-lemay/523323/179 "2010-01-13T04:32:12Z")
> [@tagos](#): > > Good riddance. Eh, a little too soon – he’ll be back next month. ---
**Author:** ![Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/f04885/32.png) [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problematic-moderation-rico-and-curtis-lemay/523323/180 "2010-02-02T01:19:28Z")
Well ladies and gentlemen Curtis LeMay is back and I’ll put my two cents into all this. First of all I wasn’t encouraging people to vandalize Wikipedia by posting that poll any more than someone who asks the poll “Are you homosexual?” encourages people to experiment with their sexuality. Plus I did acknowledge that the topic might erk the moderators. However I am utterly opposed to special treatment due to my conditions. I understand when someone says “Don’t do X.” and know the difference between right and wrong. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problematic-moderation-rico-and-curtis-lemay/523323.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problematic-moderation-rico-and-curtis-lemay/523323.md?page=10)