# Protesting the Warning I was given **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [August 29, 2012, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protesting-the-warning-i-was-given/632981 "2012-08-29T00:26:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**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:** [August 29, 2012, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protesting-the-warning-i-was-given/632981/21 "2012-08-29T03:17:56Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > Does anyone ever get their warnings rescinded? I’ve never seen such action taken. These threads are a waste of time. I’ve personally rescinded a number of warnings, as have other moderators. A few have been the result of ATMB threads, while others have been because I was contacted by a poster by PM or email. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2012, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protesting-the-warning-i-was-given/632981/22 "2012-08-29T03:21:58Z")
Somebody said something that offended you. The correct response is to say you’re offended by what they said not to post an offensive comment of your own. We all understand how the concept of offensiveness works and didn’t need you to provide an example. ---
**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:** [August 29, 2012, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protesting-the-warning-i-was-given/632981/23 "2012-08-29T03:30:31Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Somebody said something that offended you. The correct response is to say you’re offended by what they said not to post an offensive comment of your own. We all understand how the concept of offensiveness works and didn’t need you to provide an example. Yup. It’s part of the game - figure out a way to get your point across _without_ breaking the rules and getting warned. It’s easy to just argue back and forth - “You’re an idiot.” “No, _you’re_ an idiot!” Where’s the challenge in that? ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2012, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protesting-the-warning-i-was-given/632981/24 "2012-08-29T11:33:11Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > You haven’t made any valid case to have your warning rescinded. I’ve issued plenty of notes regarding regional, ethnic, religious, and political jabs. Your allegation that we ignore these insults and only pay attention to racial ones is without merit. Your warning stands. Fair enough, and I will control my temper moving forward. However, the substance of my over the top reply still stands. “Jokes” or “Jabs” about one’s race or sexual orientation would get a heavy smackdown on this board, and they should because they are insulting to people of that race or sexual orientation. But, it seems as though “jabs” against Christians or people from the South get a “Now, boys, knock it off” treatment. I guess I’m especially sensitive to it because I’ve heard these lame “West Virginians are all toothless hillbillies” jokes my whole life. They aren’t even original or funny. These “jabs” are an insult to my friends and family who don’t have incestuous relationships. That being said, I will abide by board rules. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2012, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protesting-the-warning-i-was-given/632981/25 "2012-08-29T13:10:05Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Yes, the better mods have admitted error and rescinded warnings a few times. Yes they have. And as someone who has done his share of complaining about some of the modding here, I should specifically mention **Marley23** , who rescinded a Warning against me that was issued on the same basis as **jtgain** ’s. And **Idle Thoughts** as well. Although she (?) did not rescind my Warning, we had a PM exchange about it in which she was entirely reasonable about why she did it. I still don’t agree, but I appreciated her willingness to at least consider what I had to say, and her time. As for the specifics of the **jtgain** Warning, I think it is what **Simple Linctus** and **Colibri** mention. “N\*gger” is going to be scrutinized a lot more closely than “negro” or “black”. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2012, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protesting-the-warning-i-was-given/632981/26 "2012-08-29T13:19:24Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > And **Idle Thoughts** as well. Although she (?) did not rescind my Warning, we had a PM exchange about it in which she was entirely reasonable about why she did it. I still don’t agree, but I appreciated her willingness to at least consider what I had to say, and her time. **Idle Thoughts** is a boy-type moderator person. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2012, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protesting-the-warning-i-was-given/632981/27 "2012-08-29T14:00:35Z")
> [@jtgain](#): > > I guess I’m especially sensitive to it because I’ve heard these lame “West Virginians are all toothless hillbillies” jokes my whole life. They aren’t even original or funny. These “jabs” are an insult to my friends and family who don’t have incestuous relationships. I’m just surprised you have internet access. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2012, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protesting-the-warning-i-was-given/632981/28 "2012-08-29T14:17:17Z")
> [@jtgain](#): > > I’ll address your two points: > > 1. Racial slurs are only prohibited on this board in as much as they are directed at posters or directed towards people in a mean spirited way. The word “nigger” is all over this board. It is used for a variety of purposes. A board search can confirm that. In my post I did not direct a slur or demean the African American race with my post. (To anyone who read it in context) > > \ Sometimes it does seem certain mods doth protest too much. I got mod-noted a while back for a post with the word “faggots”, even though I was semi-quoting (changing some words for a facetious parody) from _Alice’s Restaurant_, (where the word “faggots” was in the original), and even though the moderator in question overtly acknowledged that he recognized where I was quoting from. Not a big deal, but I kinda scratched my head and thought WTF? Thread in question [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=449776). Post in question is [#29](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=15296095&postcount=29), mod note at #31. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2012, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protesting-the-warning-i-was-given/632981/29 "2012-08-29T14:23:57Z")
> [@jtgain](#): > > or demean the African American race That’s a race, now? Oh, dear. I have such trouble keeping track of the definitions… ---
**Author:** ![Simple\_Linctus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Simple\_Linctus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simple_Linctus)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2012, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protesting-the-warning-i-was-given/632981/30 "2012-08-29T14:29:53Z")
> [@jtgain](#): > > These “jabs” are an insult to my friends and family who don’t have incestuous relationships. So, so, so tempting. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2012, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protesting-the-warning-i-was-given/632981/31 "2012-08-29T14:45:57Z")
> [@jtgain](#): > > These “jabs” are an insult to my friends and family who don’t have incestuous relationships. And now I’m offended on behalf of all those West Virginians who _do_ have incestuous relationships. ---
**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:** [August 29, 2012, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protesting-the-warning-i-was-given/632981/32 "2012-08-29T15:06:09Z")
> [@jtgain](#): > > Fair enough, and I will control my temper moving forward. However, the substance of my over the top reply still stands. “Jokes” or “Jabs” about one’s race or sexual orientation would get a heavy smackdown on this board, and they should because they are insulting to people of that race or sexual orientation. But, it seems as though “jabs” against Christians or people from the South get a “Now, boys, knock it off” treatment. Confirmation bias on your part. I’ve issued plenty of notes and warnings for religious and regional jabs in GQ. > [@Senegoid](#): > > Sometimes it does seem certain mods doth protest too much. I got mod-noted a while back for a post with the word “faggots”, even though I was semi-quoting (changing some words for a facetious parody) from _Alice’s Restaurant_, (where the word “faggots” was in the original), and even though the moderator in question overtly acknowledged that he recognized where I was quoting from. Not a big deal, but I kinda scratched my head and thought WTF? From the [board rules:](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=7697044&postcount=10) > [@](#): > > This rule applies to all insults,\*\* including jokes and quotes from books & movies, as others may not get the joke. \*\* Bolding mine. While the rule mentions personal insults in particular, it should be considered to apply to the use of offensive terms in general. You simply can’t assume that everyone is going to get your reference. As I said above, in general offensive terms shouldn’t be used in GQ and most other forums because they are likely to cause a thread to go off track when others respond to them. I don’t think this policy is that difficult to understand. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2012, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protesting-the-warning-i-was-given/632981/33 "2012-08-29T15:16:07Z")
I think the jabs at West Virginians in this thread deserve moderator attention. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2012, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protesting-the-warning-i-was-given/632981/34 "2012-08-29T15:33:00Z")
nm ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2012, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protesting-the-warning-i-was-given/632981/35 "2012-08-29T15:56:00Z")
Aside from the gratuitous racial slurs and junior modding, I think the post was fine. 😉 That’s really more than enough to merit a warning. The West Virginia comments were inappropriate for GQ and the mod note was fair. I’m not surprised you got a warning and the other posters didn’t because racial and ethnic slurs do generally get a more severe response than dumb comments about residents of a state. They’re all insulting and stupid, but one really is harsher than the other. > [@jtgain](#): > > Yes, I should have reported the post, but I come from the old school where we don’t run to the teacher when we are picked on during recess. We don’t care what the rules of your schoolyard were, and there should be no “but” in this sentence. You should have reported the post, end of story. It bothers me when people describe board policy this was because it’s demeaning and the description itself is childish. We are not asking you to tattle a child. We are asking you to act like an adult: if someone violates the rules, don’t do the same thing yourself and then complain “he started it!” _That’s childish._ Do the mature thing and let the people who are responsible for enforcing the rules enforce the rules. You don’t have to like it, but that’s what is expected of people here. > [@](#): > > If the board thinks I’m wrong, I will accept the democratic process. Just as a reminder, that’s not how this works. You’re free to ask about the rules and complain about warnings, and I’m glad you’ve found some of the staff responses and the feedback from other posters to be helpful. But these things aren’t decided by popular vote. ---
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2012, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protesting-the-warning-i-was-given/632981/36 "2012-08-29T16:05:40Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > I think the jabs at West Virginians in this thread deserve moderator attention. Seconded. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2012, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protesting-the-warning-i-was-given/632981/37 "2012-08-29T16:09:49Z")
People can move away from West Virginia. People can’t change the color of their skin. ---
**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:** [August 29, 2012, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protesting-the-warning-i-was-given/632981/38 "2012-08-29T16:38:35Z")
> [@Bob Ducca](#): > > I’m just surprised you have internet access. > [@Simple\_Linctus](#): > > So, so, so tempting. > [@Acsenray](#): > > And now I’m offended on behalf of all those West Virginians who _do_ have incestuous relationships. [Moderator Note] Let’s knock it off. When a thread is about offensive remarks, it’s not the best idea to make more offensive remarks, even if you’re joking. > [@Ravenman](#): > > I think the jabs at West Virginians in this thread deserve moderator attention. > [@PlainJain](#): > > Seconded. [Moderator Note] Did you report the posts? In any case, you’re junior modding, which is also against the rules. ---
**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:** [August 29, 2012, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protesting-the-warning-i-was-given/632981/39 "2012-08-29T17:00:36Z")
I can’t believe you’re actually surprised by this, but your post doesn’t really sound like faux outrage. Anyway, yeah, it’s because you used the n-word. ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2012, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protesting-the-warning-i-was-given/632981/40 "2012-08-29T17:02:48Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > [Moderator Note] > > Did you report the posts? In any case, you’re junior modding, which is also against the rules. Given that the topic of the thread is how regional jokes/jabs are moderated, how are those posts junior modding? Isn’t that kind of what ATMB is for, to offer one’s opinions on whether certain types of posts should or shouldn’t be moderated? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protesting-the-warning-i-was-given/632981.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protesting-the-warning-i-was-given/632981.md?page=3)