# Problems with Jamaica and reggae music are "off topic" in a thread complaining about Bob Marley **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [February 13, 2013, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problems-with-jamaica-and-reggae-music-are-off-topic-in-a-thread-complaining-about-bob-marley/650140 "2013-02-13T01:45:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**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:** [February 13, 2013, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problems-with-jamaica-and-reggae-music-are-off-topic-in-a-thread-complaining-about-bob-marley/650140/21 "2013-02-13T18:26:54Z")
> [@moriah](#): > > In case it wasn’t a typo: [scree](http://www.onelook.com/?w=scree&ls=a) v [screed](http://www.onelook.com/?w=screed&ls=a). Thanks! Not a typo, I’ve been using the wrong word all this time. No wonder my personal manifesto is getting little attention. ---
**Author:** ![the\_apples\_fell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@the\_apples\_fell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_apples_fell)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problems-with-jamaica-and-reggae-music-are-off-topic-in-a-thread-complaining-about-bob-marley/650140/22 "2013-02-13T19:44:32Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Yes, there is. And discussing homophobia in reggae music is also fair game. Calling Jamaica the shithole of the English speaking world is beyond the scope of the thread and is (to put it mildly) nasty. I think what he said was not right, but to be fair, Jamaica is one of if not the most; 1. Unsafe 2. Intolerant 3. Economically unproductive 4. Crime-ridden countries in the Western Hemisphere. Those are facts. But he shouldn’t have said what he said. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problems-with-jamaica-and-reggae-music-are-off-topic-in-a-thread-complaining-about-bob-marley/650140/23 "2013-02-13T19:55:19Z")
I understand that, but it’s not the issue here. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problems-with-jamaica-and-reggae-music-are-off-topic-in-a-thread-complaining-about-bob-marley/650140/24 "2013-02-13T21:12:49Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > If we knew what you were talking about, would it make more sense? I do, and no. Regards, Shodan ---
**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:** [February 13, 2013, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problems-with-jamaica-and-reggae-music-are-off-topic-in-a-thread-complaining-about-bob-marley/650140/25 "2013-02-13T21:34:53Z")
> [@the\_apples\_fell](#): > > I think what he said was not right, but to be fair, Jamaica is one of if not the most; > > 1. Unsafe > 2. Intolerant > 3. Economically unproductive > 4. Crime-ridden > > countries in the Western Hemisphere. Those are facts. But he shouldn’t have said what he said. Been there thrice and had an amazing time each and every trip. Just sayin. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2013, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problems-with-jamaica-and-reggae-music-are-off-topic-in-a-thread-complaining-about-bob-marley/650140/26 "2013-02-14T14:34:29Z")
I am outraged at Bob Marley’s use of drone strikes without explicit congressional approval. ---
**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:** [February 14, 2013, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problems-with-jamaica-and-reggae-music-are-off-topic-in-a-thread-complaining-about-bob-marley/650140/27 "2013-02-14T20:13:16Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > I do, and no. > > Regards, > Shodan We have the main thread, but a link to the thread (or just one of them if there are many) about Obama would be helpful and relevant. **Marley** ’s claim is that his previous posts made this one elevate to a Warning instead of a mod note, and the OP himself agrees that these posts are relevant. I mean, based on what I’ve seen of the OP’s previous posts, I am inclined to believe **Marley** , but I’m still curious if anyone would offer a link or two. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2013, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problems-with-jamaica-and-reggae-music-are-off-topic-in-a-thread-complaining-about-bob-marley/650140/28 "2013-02-14T20:29:29Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > We have the main thread, but a link to the thread (or just one of them if there are many) about Obama would be helpful and relevant. **Marley** ’s claim is that his previous posts made this one elevate to a Warning instead of a mod note, and the OP himself agrees that these posts are relevant. A couple of older examples: > [@Yet another thread on gay marriage (spinoff from abortion thread)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-thread-on-gay-marriage-spinoff-from-abortion-thread/609411/215): > > Condescending Robot, back off. In pretty nearly every post you use insulting language to describe the arguments with which you disagree. Once or twice might be simple emotional expression, but you are tap-dancing very close to making your views into personal attacks. > > Take a deep breath and reduce the number of pejorative adjectives that you seem to feel compelled to launch. > > [/Moderating] > [@Interesting article on Black Atheism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesting-article-on-black-atheism/622293/48): > > Qin Shi Huangdi and Condescending Robot, take your unsupported attacks against black churches to a new thread, (where I would hope you would provide support for your beliefs). You are both off topic and simply using the presence of this thread as an excuse to vent your prejudices. > > [/Moderating] [What **Condescending Robot** is really upset about is this thread.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=677642) He exhibits the same kind of behavior described above (and was not modded for it) and followed it up [by insulting me in this post](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=15859229&postcount=60) (which I ignored and reported) and [then doing it again in this post](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=15859270&postcount=62). After the second time, I warned him myself. I realize it’s preferable to leave that kind of thing to another mod, but I don’t think there’s any legitimate complaint about bias when you break the rules in such a straightforward way: > [@Court: White House has no legal duty to justify killing Americans abroad with drone strikes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/court-white-house-has-no-legal-duty-to-justify-killing-americans-abroad-with-drone-strikes/645978/60): > > My argument is that murdering children is bad, giving unlimited power to the President as long as he says the magic word “terrorism” is bad, and that your support of this makes you morally bankrupt. Your argument is a recycled Rudy Giuliani talking point where your answer to anything is NINELEVENINELEVENINELEVEN. [My underline] > [@Court: White House has no legal duty to justify killing Americans abroad with drone strikes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/court-white-house-has-no-legal-duty-to-justify-killing-americans-abroad-with-drone-strikes/645978/62): > > A total lack of empathy and a genuine confusion as to why people might find bombing ambulances or funerals to be evil is a sign of sociopathy. You need a psychiatrist, not a message board. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2013, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problems-with-jamaica-and-reggae-music-are-off-topic-in-a-thread-complaining-about-bob-marley/650140/29 "2013-02-16T01:34:22Z")
Isn’t there an ethical conflict when **Marley23** takes any action regarding a Bob Marley question? Should he not recuse himself? ---
**Author:** ![Nunzio\_Tavulari](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Nunzio\_Tavulari](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nunzio_Tavulari)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2013, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problems-with-jamaica-and-reggae-music-are-off-topic-in-a-thread-complaining-about-bob-marley/650140/30 "2013-02-16T14:23:02Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Isn’t there an ethical conflict when **Marley23** takes any action regarding a Bob Marley question? Should he not recuse himself? You mean it’s not from the Jennifer Aniston movie? My illusions have been thoroughly shattered! ---
**Author:** ![InternetLegend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/internetlegend/32/13154_2.png) [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2013, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problems-with-jamaica-and-reggae-music-are-off-topic-in-a-thread-complaining-about-bob-marley/650140/31 "2013-02-16T20:59:31Z")
> [@moriah](#): > > In case it wasn’t a typo: [scree](http://www.onelook.com/?w=scree&ls=a) v [screed](http://www.onelook.com/?w=screed&ls=a). I was thinking maybe it was one of those “slippery slope” things, only even more precarious, because of the scree. It didn’t make a lot of sense, but then a lot of posts don’t (to me). > [@Morgenstern](#): > > Ya know. If someone goes to the trouble to write, edit and post a thread on a topic, they have a right to expect that the discussion will center around their topic. Anything that distracts from that topic to the point that people are responding to the unrelated comments, like the ones here regarding Jamaica, are threadshitting. It’s pretty hard to get a thread back up to speed after something like that happens. It happens to a lesser degree all the time. You read the OP, and want to respond, so you head back to page 3 or 4 to do so, and by then, they are talking about Maggie’s drawers instead of the OP. Seconded. I often have something to say about the original topic, but by the time we get to the third page (and I always feel obligated to read an entire thread before I add to it), it’s devolved into an argument about something entirely different, and it’s futile to try to address the posts on the first page. I know I’m pretty slow, and it’s likely that what I have to say won’t add a whole lot to the thread, but it’s frustrating to see a thread about, say, music turned into a thread about, say, international politics when you would have liked to talk about the music. No doubt some of the people who agree that the modding is heavy-handed will dismiss my opinion because of my politics, but it’s what I think. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2013, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problems-with-jamaica-and-reggae-music-are-off-topic-in-a-thread-complaining-about-bob-marley/650140/32 "2013-02-16T21:33:36Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Isn’t there an ethical conflict when **Marley23** takes any action regarding a Bob Marley question? Should he not recuse himself? I was wondering when someone was going to ask that. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![colonial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/34f0e0/32.png) [@colonial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/colonial)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2013, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problems-with-jamaica-and-reggae-music-are-off-topic-in-a-thread-complaining-about-bob-marley/650140/33 "2013-02-17T00:31:53Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Isn’t there an ethical conflict when **Marley23** takes any action regarding a Bob Marley question? Should he not recuse himself? A specter is haunting Marley: the specter of the Q-word. It must be that by recusing himself he would have been one warning/ban short of Q. ---
**Author:** ![colonial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/34f0e0/32.png) [@colonial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/colonial)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2013, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problems-with-jamaica-and-reggae-music-are-off-topic-in-a-thread-complaining-about-bob-marley/650140/34 "2013-02-17T00:41:14Z")
> [@Marely](#): > > You do have a habit of wandering into threads and expressing a barely-relevant opinion in the most vitriolic manner possible Why yes, yes he does: > [@Condescending Robot](#): > > A total lack of empathy and a genuine confusion as to why people might find bombing ambulances or funerals to be evil is a sign of sociopathy. You need a psychiatrist, not a message board. Even though I count myself among the legion of pro-drone sociopaths, I retain enough objectivity to be able to enjoy a little bit of well-rendered vitriol such as CR’s composition above. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2013, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problems-with-jamaica-and-reggae-music-are-off-topic-in-a-thread-complaining-about-bob-marley/650140/35 "2013-02-17T01:38:47Z")
> [@colonial](#): > > A specter is haunting Marley: the specter of the Q-word. It must be > that by recusing himself he would have been one warning/ban short of Q. Q-word. Q-word. Hmmm. Qunt? (☹ Not that he is one, of course. Thinking of banned words.) ---
**Author:** ![colonial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/34f0e0/32.png) [@colonial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/colonial)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2013, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problems-with-jamaica-and-reggae-music-are-off-topic-in-a-thread-complaining-about-bob-marley/650140/36 "2013-02-17T01:42:55Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Q-word. Q-word. Hmmm. Qunt? > > (☹ Not that he is one, of course. Thinking of banned words.) See post #6. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2013, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problems-with-jamaica-and-reggae-music-are-off-topic-in-a-thread-complaining-about-bob-marley/650140/37 "2013-02-17T01:45:18Z")
> [@colonial](#): > > See post #6. :smack: But this brings up an interesting question. _Is_ the fictional word “qunt” banned? ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2013, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problems-with-jamaica-and-reggae-music-are-off-topic-in-a-thread-complaining-about-bob-marley/650140/38 "2013-02-17T02:17:18Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > :smack: > > But this brings up an interesting question. _Is_ the fictional word “qunt” banned? Gee, **Sam,** I dunno… do you suppose it’d be okay to call somebody a trole? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![colonial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/34f0e0/32.png) [@colonial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/colonial)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2013, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problems-with-jamaica-and-reggae-music-are-off-topic-in-a-thread-complaining-about-bob-marley/650140/39 "2013-02-17T02:25:10Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > Gee, **Sam,** I dunno… do you suppose it’d be okay to call somebody a trole? :dubious: Good point. Also consider such beauties as ashol, fuk and schitt. ---
**Author:** ![colonial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/34f0e0/32.png) [@colonial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/colonial)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2013, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problems-with-jamaica-and-reggae-music-are-off-topic-in-a-thread-complaining-about-bob-marley/650140/40 "2013-02-17T02:31:01Z")
Q-U-O-T-A _quota,_ however, should not really be considered bannable, I wouldn’t think. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problems-with-jamaica-and-reggae-music-are-off-topic-in-a-thread-complaining-about-bob-marley/650140.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problems-with-jamaica-and-reggae-music-are-off-topic-in-a-thread-complaining-about-bob-marley/650140.md?page=3)