Chillax, I’m on your side. I’ve made not a single comment on the status on your underwear. (Because if anyone is the epitome of taste, it’s me.)
Don’t think I don’t appreciate it. Thanks!
The exact time at which a thread should be closed–if the OP asks, particularly–isn’t cast in bronze. Closing a thread in response to such a request isn’t necessarily a “heavy-handed moderator’s decision”; it’s usually more an instance of providing service to the OP who makes the request. The OP, and especially any other people who had something to say in the closed thread, are perfectly free to consider the option of opening a new thread, whether to pit someone or to continue the main discussion.
The “you can always open a new thread” doesn’t seem like a sensible or practical option most of the time and padlocks hinder the discussion handily. Unless the content of the thread is personal in nature, when discussion ensues the thread no longer belongs to the OP concerning its closure.
Therefore, there should be a good reason to close a thread that people are actively participating and exchanging ideas.
The idea that a mod decides a thread should be padlocked because by their own opinion only the exact same ideas are being presented seems really arrogant and cocky on the part of the mod, imo.
I wouldn’t mind seeing some threads deleted if they are deemed clutter. This would truly eliminate them as that. But padlocks are generally no good for anyone - barring personal threads, like I said. If the OP simply becomes frustrated, this should be tough shit - not a reason for any padlock action on behalf of a moderator. Twicksters explanation sucks and the knickers comment is inappropriate for someone in that position. She owes the board and its members better conduct than that.
Thank you Spectre for actually taking the time to respond, I certainly appreciate it. Other than Twickster, you are the only other mod to offer any comment other than a cheap joke.
But I’m having a hard time believing that, in this case, starting another thread is really a viable answer. It’s not like I just want to keep talking about it. If that were the case, it would be a fine solution. But, in this case, the OP sited 7 other posts and then the thread was closed before any of those 7 posters were given an opportunity to respond. Just starting another thread isn’t going to make any sense and/or require endless amounts of linking/quoting.
And while I appreciate your imput I’d appreciate it more if you addressed the questions I posed;
I thought insults were not permitted in ATMB and that discussions of moddings were only permitted in this forum so they would remain respectful. How is it okay for the mods to not have to do the same?
Pretty clearly Twickster is content to be insulting and dismissive of, what I feel is a valid question. So I’ll ask the other mods, is it just me, or is this a break from protocol wherein other posters are first given a chance to respond before a thread is closed, even when requested by the OP?
**Do you think it’s okay to close a thread because it’s 4 pages long? Or because you don’t feel anything new is being added? Shouldn’t the OP have been told that yes, the thread would be closed, but not until the (7) posters addressed in his final post were given an opportunity to respond? **
But what if any and/or all of said posters said something the OP feels a need to respond to? Where does it stop? Why do you feel the respondants, and not the OP, should have the last word?
I’d also like to point out that within twenty five minutes of my OP, two moderators found the time to stop by and just make jokes, ignoring my concerns entirely. But somehow couldn’t find the time to address the questions I asked or the concerns I raised.
I have nothing against a little lightheartedness, I’m all for it, even in the mods. It’s just the thing from time to time. But to do so, in exclusion of addressing the issues raised, seems extremely disingenuous. 24+ hours later neither have managed to speak to the issues raised.
I’ve been polite and respectful and so far I’ve gotten insulted and joked around with, (with the clear exception of Spectre, to his credit).
It’s a messageboard. Isn’t that what’s supposed to happen? Are you really being serious? Or is this another joke?
That any or all, of said posters, may have wanted to respond is exactly why it shouldn’t have been closed.
Then really, threads should never be closed. There’s always a chance that someone will have something to add. Really, if you have a problem, it should be with BigT for slipping in the last word just before asking for the thread to be closed. It’s like saying “Also, you’re wrong.” just before hanging up the phone.
in your OP you said:
And now you say:
In your opinion, does the OP have a right to have her/his thread closed or not?
(Sorry the board somehow ate most of my post.)
I have no problem with OP’s being able to request a thread be closed. It’s long been the policy and I have no issue with it. But I’ve never seen it applied in this way before.
So, would you be okay with an OP making a last post, quoting a dozen previous posts from the thread, claiming they are foolish, lame, misguided, garbage, pish, and then asking to have the thread closed?
It’s one thing to say, ‘I’d like to have my thread closed’, and entirely another to come into the thread, make a post that cites 7 previous poster’s posts, and then asking for it to be shut, before anyone can respond. You really don’t see the difference?
Yes, another thread could be started but that would be enormously inconvenient in this case. It would require lots of linking/quoting. It’s not just like someone has something else to add, but that, potentially, 7 posters may wish the opportunity to respond. And it should be afforded to them, in my opinion.
Care to address the gratuitous insult, leveled at a polite and respectful poster asking a civil question? Delivered in a forum where posters are forbidden from insulting mods? I have been unjustly characterized as,“yet another mod decision to get her knickers in a twist about,” when, in fact, I have rarely ever disagreed with the modding on this board.
Again, I think your beef should be with BigT for the way he ended the thread and not the mods who were complying with the tradition of closing threads at their OP’s request.
It’s not the first time Twickster has made a snarky comment when modding – and of course, we can’t Pit her for it. Convenient, eh?
As for BigT, guys, just Pit him already if you have that big of a problem! Yeesh!
Why does it have to be closed at all? I don’t care about the linked thread but unless there’s some sort massive disaster in the thread (illegal stuff, extremely personal stuff–like someone’s home address or something) or (I give up on winning this point 
) if it’s a zombie thread. Other than that, why close any thread? It’s a message board. If people want to talk something to death…so what?
And Melon–my memory of the tradition is exactly the opposite. I believe that while mods may occasionally close a thread on behalf of the OP, it’s rare. More often than not, it’s “you made your bed, now lie in it”. (I support this, btw: I hate having threads closed), GQ, depending on who the mod is, being the sole exception with “Asked and answered” (which I also oppose: those tangential discussions that crop up after “asked and answered” are often fascinating.
I don’t have a problem with BigT and those who are telling me to take it up with him please answer this question, (which I asked Czacasm, to no end):
“So, would you be okay with an OP making a last post, quoting a dozen previous posts from the thread, claiming they are foolish, lame, misguided, garbage, pish, and then asking to have the thread closed?”
or, this one;
“It’s one thing to say, ‘I’d like to have my thread closed’, and entirely another to come into the thread, make a post that cites 7 previous poster’s posts, and then asking for it to be shut, before anyone can respond. You really don’t see the difference?”
And just one more;
If I am to take it up with BigT, directly, then what the devil are the moderators for?
You agreed in your OP that the creators of threads should have control over when their threads are closed.
I do see the difference. In one, the OP is asking for the thread to be closed, in the other, the OP is taking a cheap shot and then asking for the thread to be closed. Again, your beef is with BigT for deciding to take that cheap shot.
They enforce the rules and perform board maintenance. Closing threads at the request of OPs is part of that maintenance.
But the “self-pitying glurge” was precisely the reason to close it. Let the “self-pitying glurge” deal with his/her own problems. Let’s not open it up to the comments of the self-appointed assholes (such as myself). I myself have been the “self-pitying glurge”. I have never gotten useful input from other “self-pitying glurges”. I’ve gotten the best input when I was a “self-pitying glurge”, when I was most at my “self-pitying”, and someone else called me on my “self-pitying” shit. Best is to close the thread, and leave the “self-pitying” dipshit to “self-pity”… I hate to say this, but having been there, done that, I think it’s best to leave people like me to whine when we have to, but insist that “the rest of us” will deal with you when you get up off your ass, and pretend you actually care.
Yeah, this sounds harsh, but I’m stuck with eating several pills a day, dealing with the fact that there’s something wrong with my brain biochemistry. All I can say is "stop bitchen about it, and start takin’ yer pills… There’s something wrong with you, and these pills can fix it. TAKE ‘EM’ Dammit’, and get USED TO IT. I guess I’m over my rant…
Could an Admin please explain to us peons, how that last sentence is not a personal attack?
You know, I always try hard to stay out of threads where mods’ behaviors are being discussed, but really, this remark by twickster seems to be way out of line.
Yes, I shouldn’t have made the crack about elbows’s knickers. elbows, I apologize for bringing your undergarments into it.