# Reverend Mykeru banned. SDMB Pit vultures rejoice. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 26, 2003, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reverend-mykeru-banned-sdmb-pit-vultures-rejoice/157718 "2003-02-26T20:13:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![elf6c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c57346/32.png) [@elf6c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elf6c)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reverend-mykeru-banned-sdmb-pit-vultures-rejoice/157718/161 "2003-02-27T13:35:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ogre \* > \*\*His assholishness in response to the scorn and vitriol heaped on him liberally by other Dopers? He reacted by lashing back, and somehow that made _him_ the asshole? \*\* Do you have this post as a macro? Even after it is refuted over and over- you just keep hitting submit. The Rev was a Jerk. He was a Jerk to people who didn’t know him, a Jerk to those who disagreed with him, hell he was a jerk to those who tried to help him. He wanted attention and a glorious banning. He got it. You cared so much about his issue that you waited until after he was banned to act. Right, at best, it sounds like Monday Morning Quarterbacking to me. To the small Rev cult-- you can put down the Kool Aid now. Unless this is just another case of petty grudges against some of the Mods being played out in the first thread which is handy- then carry on. Yeesh. ---
**Author:** ![elf6c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c57346/32.png) [@elf6c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elf6c)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reverend-mykeru-banned-sdmb-pit-vultures-rejoice/157718/162 "2003-02-27T13:44:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mr. A. Nemo \* > \*\*… > > One thing about this that truly irritates me, and its happened in the past with bannings, is the “clique”/“illuminati” apologists always chime in with the tired party line: > > “We have one rule here: Don’t Be Jerk.” > > Followed with the explanation that the person who was banned broke the Golden Rule, ergo, the ban was justified. However it is always completely and conveniently ignored that everyone else involved was being a complete “jerk” as well. Whereas the regulars (read: Post Count \> 1000) are allowed extreme latitude with the definition of “Jerk”, newbies, newbs, n00bs (read: Post Count \< 1000) have the line drawn in the sand mere milimeters from their feet. > > … \*\* Oh god, this tired old chestnut again. It’s the evil Clique- RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!! This convienently ignores all those posters with more then 1000 posts who got banned anyway (Search “Unban Satan” for just a very small taste). > [@](#): > > “clique”/“illuminati” apologists I liked Pit Vultures better- could we stick with that one. KAW KAW! :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reverend-mykeru-banned-sdmb-pit-vultures-rejoice/157718/163 "2003-02-27T13:57:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Fred \* > \*\*Sorry, **Munch**. Rereading that, it doesn’t look like you were talking about _official_ warnings at all. 🙂 I gotta remember, read twice, post once! \*\* No prob. I just mentioned your start on the boards because of the circumstances (coming in from another board’s argument, at issue with an SDMB regular, vehemently defending your position, staying primarily in the Pit, etc.). I think it’s an excellent example, because you were able to do what **Sauron** suggested RM to do - step back, diversify your posts, ignore the Pit for a while. It worked, and not because you “conformed to the SDMB” or changed your views. ---
**Author:** ![porcupine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ac91a4/32.png) [@porcupine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/porcupine)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reverend-mykeru-banned-sdmb-pit-vultures-rejoice/157718/164 "2003-02-27T13:59:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by super\_head \* > \*\*So, he should ignore threads devoted to him? \*\* No, if we wanted to stay (and that’s a big if) he should have contributed in a constructive fashion to the other forums, as was suggested to him by the administration of this board, rather than just trolling in this forum. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reverend-mykeru-banned-sdmb-pit-vultures-rejoice/157718/165 "2003-02-27T15:18:30Z")
Just the other day I told my kid that it sounded like her teacher was wrong, but she was the teacher and got to decide how to run her class. And I recall my FIL saying, “The boss may not always be right, but he is always the boss.” Or in my rugby days, the acknowledgement that the sole ref could not see everything, and that missed or incorrect calls were a part of the game and not to be questioned. I am not certain what type of anarchic relationships folk might desire where there are no rules and no acknowledged means for enforcement. If someone doesn’t like what goes on these boards, they are certainly free to seek out other options. Personally, I do not spend any time on unmoderated boards, or where the moderation is not as transparent as here. The SDMB certainly doesn’t aspire to be - nor could it possibly be - all things to all people. Tho I may not always agree with the mods’, I am glad there is someone doing the work of deciding when someone crosses the line into jerkhood. I guess that’s why they get paid the big bucks! And because I see personal benefit to remaining on these boards, I am willing to try to comport with their non-onerous rules. Maybe there should be a more explicit disclaimer - that this is a strictly moderated board, and the moderators have complete authority to ban folk for whatever reason they see fit. I could live with that, if folk would consider it an improvement. ---
**Author:** ![porcupine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ac91a4/32.png) [@porcupine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/porcupine)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reverend-mykeru-banned-sdmb-pit-vultures-rejoice/157718/166 "2003-02-27T15:26:07Z")
**Dinsdale** , there already is. From [The SDMB Registration Agreement](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=148527) > [@](#): > > Please remember that you are our guest here, and that we reserve the right to exclude you at our whim, for any or no reason whatsoever. It’s been in there for some time. ---
**Author:** ![White\_Lightning](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@White\_Lightning](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/White_Lightning)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reverend-mykeru-banned-sdmb-pit-vultures-rejoice/157718/167 "2003-02-27T15:57:00Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by **super\_head** _ > So, he should ignore threads devoted to him? And by ‘threads,’ do you mean the one thread that was devoted to him, or the multiple other threads that he derailed such that no discussion in them was possible on any topic other than what a dickhead he was, plus the one he started about himself? Wouldn’t it be sort of silly to hijack a couple threads with indiscriminate flaming, start one about yourself complaining that you’ve unjustly been victimized by the rabid crew of egomaniacal posters that make up the membership here, and then ‘ignore’ those threads? ---
**Author:** ![CnoteChris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/278dde/32.png) [@CnoteChris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CnoteChris)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reverend-mykeru-banned-sdmb-pit-vultures-rejoice/157718/168 "2003-02-27T15:58:45Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by TVeblen_ > **His biting contempt of how this board operates is no big shock. (Paying attention to this, CnoteChris?) There are plenty of carpers who mainly weigh in to bitch about how awful the place is. But please note they’re still around anyway. Because while they might raise hell about how terribly the board is run, they generally approach other posters with a modicum of respect. They might really hate a viewpoint, or even extend that to hating an individual, but the general stance toward the vast array of posters still show at least enough neutrality to wait and see before lashing out wholesale.** Don’t misconstrue criticism of certain behaviors and actions taken by a few, and in the absence of comments to the contrary, is seemingly supported by the administration as a whole, as condemnation and contempt towards the greater good that I see. Because by doing so, you’re being insincere at best, and at worst, misrepresenting my overall objectives here entirely. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reverend-mykeru-banned-sdmb-pit-vultures-rejoice/157718/169 "2003-02-27T16:03:04Z")
Shit, **porc**. Did you think I actually read that before agreeing to it? Lovely phrasing. ---
**Author:** ![Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f08c70/32.png) [@Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crowbar_of_Irony_3)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reverend-mykeru-banned-sdmb-pit-vultures-rejoice/157718/170 "2003-02-27T16:03:13Z")
Two copper piece worth from another ‘newbie’. I don’t have much troubles with the regular here. So I guess not all moderators pick on people with few post counts. And seriously, the only difficult thing as a newbie is to decide which forum to post in. Everything else works out as much as I expect of a forum. “Be civil and others will be civil to you” works much of the time. Then again, YMMV… ---
**Author:** ![Robb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Robb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robb)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reverend-mykeru-banned-sdmb-pit-vultures-rejoice/157718/171 "2003-02-27T16:21:07Z")
> [@](#): > > newbies, newbs, n00bs (read: Post Count \< 1000) D00d, I’m still a n00b! I’d much rather be a pit viper, than a pit vulture. It’s not like someone killed the Rev first Damn the Clique[symbol]ä[/symbol]! ---
**Author:** ![Humble\_Servant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/47e85d/32.png) [@Humble\_Servant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Humble_Servant)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reverend-mykeru-banned-sdmb-pit-vultures-rejoice/157718/172 "2003-02-27T16:53:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mothchunks \* > **Accusations of trolling are used to enforce the moderator’s political agenda.** \*\* POLITICAL AGENDA–THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27\*\*\* 7:30–Breakfast with Tiffany from Anarcho-Communist Lobby 8:30–Staff Meeting Re: The French Impasse/impact on the whine and cheese supply chain 9:30–Get jackboots shined 10:00–Price riding crops 10:15–“Healthy Break” Bring yoga mat 10:30–All hands Meeting Re: FINALIZING TROLLING ACCUSATIONS **Attendance Mandatory** 12:00–Lunch (Open face sammiches with a selection of egg salads, vegetarian and vegan options; roadkill available for Pit Vultures upon request if made by 11:00am–NO EXCEPTIONS) 1:00–Drafting Committee meets to FINISH second draft of article on The Insider’s Guide to National Socialism in the 21st Century 3:00–Check political threads re: support for Trilateral Commission 3:30–Annex Belgium 4:00–Review WMD inventory with Julie; discuss possible modifications 5:00–Interview thug candidate 6:00–Dinner with reps from Big Oil, GunsrUs and Christian Coalition–discuss jv/fees * * * [sub]\*Props to the Devil’s Day Planner Thread.[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reverend-mykeru-banned-sdmb-pit-vultures-rejoice/157718/173 "2003-02-27T17:42:02Z")
I see the “me too posts” have begun in my absence. Ah, the smell of sycophancy in the morning. I see, similarly, that the strawmen have begun to spring up from the less talented members of our little community. I never said there was a Clique, a Society, an Illuminati, a Gnomes of Dope, a Kallistae of Chicago. I think the notion of an organized, agenda-pushing Panel is ridiculous. So, is there a Clique? Of course not. My argument stands. In at least two recent cases, moderators have made poor, unfair decisions about the bannings of potentially very valuable posters. In this case, **Reverend Myerku** was hammered repeatedly and _first_ for an espoused position which was unpopular. He reacted by lashing out, having more than likely already decided that this board was a lost cause. Given his treatment, I don’t blame him a bit. The supposed Good Samaritans were interpreted as condescending pricks, which is only natural, given that in the cases I saw, **Sauron** ’s attempt boiled down to advocating the abandonment of a strongly held belief. I wouldn’t have backed down either, and **kabbes** insultingly patronizing dig smacked to me of changing his mind and deciding to run with the pack after all. So let’s try to address my actual arguments, instead of lumpishly dismissing me as a Clique Conspiracy Kook, hmmm? In short, children, do try to keep up. > [@](#): > > Now, in the light of 1 to 5, tell me: is “Yeah, well, don’t presume you’ve seen everything on the internet, Reverend. The world is greater than is dreamed of in your philosophy.” really such a kick in the teeth as to provoke utter meltdown? Or was he spoiling for a fight before, during and after the whole ugly mess? > > I ask you: would you respond to such a thing with a 300-word explosion of vitriol and vituperation? Or would you either follow the goddamned search and admit you’re wrong or - at most, if you took offence - offer similarly mild reproof for being mildly snarky? It astounds me how people can see an insult as anything other than an insult. What you did, **kabbes** , was act like a big ol’ experienced man-o-the-world patting a widdle child on the head. **Myerku** has obviously been around the Net for a long while, and is quite intelligent and well-read. Hell yes, a patronizing quip is unacceptable, or would be were I in his shoes. > [@](#): > > If nothing else, the Rev certainly seemed bound and determined to interpret every comment in the worst possible way. Sure. After he’d been roundly roasted as a poor excuse for a human being. > [@](#): > > Do you have this post as a macro? > > Even after it is refuted over and over- you just keep hitting submit. Sure do, sweetheart, and I will until somebody explains to me how the progression went any way but this: \ \ \ \ > [@](#): > > You cared so much about his issue that you waited until after he was banned to act. Right, at best, it sounds like Monday Morning Quarterbacking to me. And? I’m not allowed to be made angry after the fact, when I believe something was done unfairly? > [@](#): > > Please remember that you are our guest here, and that we reserve the right to exclude you at our whim, for any or no reason whatsoever. They left out the part where it says, “You as a poster have the right to call bullshit on it. Not that it’ll do any good, but feel free.” ---
**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:** [February 27, 2003, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reverend-mykeru-banned-sdmb-pit-vultures-rejoice/157718/174 "2003-02-27T18:10:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ogre \* > \*\*Sure do, sweetheart, and I will until somebody explains to me how the progression went any way but this: > > \ > \ > \ > \ \*\* Have you not been reading my posts in this thread? I think you skipped a couple of points there. Yes, he posted an unpopular opinion and was flamed for and he may have been the butt of childish insults; I have not read the Pat Robertson thread. His sole defense alternated between “I know you are but what am I?” & crying “Troll!” Didn’t he mention somewhere that he’s a college graduate? Too bad they didn’t teach him how to act like an adult. ---
**Author:** ![Sauron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@Sauron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sauron)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reverend-mykeru-banned-sdmb-pit-vultures-rejoice/157718/175 "2003-02-27T18:37:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ogre \* > The supposed Good Samaritans were interpreted as condescending pricks, which is only natural, given that in the cases I saw, **Sauron** ’s attempt boiled down to advocating the abandonment of a strongly held belief. I wouldn’t have backed down either … I want this explained. Either you are saying you can read **Reverend Mykeru** ’s mind, or you’re calling me a condescending prick. Which is it? I want you to point out to me _exactly_ where I advocated that the reverend should abandon a strongly held belief of his. I recommended that he walk away from the “when will I be banned” thread that he started. How is that advocating his abandonment of a strongly held belief? I argued with the reverend over his conduct in the “cost of running the SDMB” thread. After thinking about it, I realized I could have been wrong in my interpretation of his behavior, and said so in the “when will I be banned” thread. He accepted that apology. At that point, I tried to get him to realize that his career here was in jeopardy, and suggested he chill out. I think you’re reading more into that than was there. ---
**Author:** ![sugaree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@sugaree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sugaree)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reverend-mykeru-banned-sdmb-pit-vultures-rejoice/157718/176 "2003-02-27T19:24:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Jeff Olsen \* > \*\*You know, I wonder if **Rev.** might be bipolar. That would be an explanation for[his apparent mood swing](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&postid=3050205#post3050205), maybe even his propensity to fly off the handle. \*\* Hmm. On his website, he mentioned that he was having some unpleasant symptoms he thought might be side effects from the Prozac he had begun to take after experiencing anxiety attacks. ---
**Author:** ![elf6c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c57346/32.png) [@elf6c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elf6c)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reverend-mykeru-banned-sdmb-pit-vultures-rejoice/157718/177 "2003-02-27T19:31:20Z")
> [@](#): > > Sure do, sweetheart, and I will until somebody explains to me how the progression went any way but this: “sweetheart” ah shucks, you’re too kind. :: blushes :: Enough sweet talk though. I am married- don’t want to get in trouble with the Mrs. Alas, I disagree strongly with the rest of your post. Its kind of silly in a way, that we keep going around in circles. What is the point of this? You are not going to listen to anyone else nor change your mind no matter how much evidence is presented. So what exactly **are** we doing here? KAW KAW- off to pick at a few newbie carcasses. [Homer] Mmmmm, fresh newbies. Aggggggh. . . [/Homer] ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reverend-mykeru-banned-sdmb-pit-vultures-rejoice/157718/178 "2003-02-27T19:34:13Z")
> [@](#): > > I want this explained. Either you are saying you can read Reverend Mykeru’s mind, or you’re calling me a condescending prick. Which is it? Sure. I’ll be happy to. I am saying neither of the things you purport that I’m saying. I do not claim to read **Mykeru** ’s mind. I merely state my interpretation of the events, and my likely reactions had the events involved me. That **Mykeru** ’s reaction seem to parallel what I might have done in his place merely suggest that I perhaps understand where he was coming from. As for the second part, you apparently missed the “were interpreted as” part. Again, I merely state what I believe happened…from his embattled position, after he’d been roundly used as the butt of the most childish insults and newbie-bashing, he apparently gave up on the board and decided to go out with a bang. Seems natural enough to me. This, however, should not be interpreted as a failure on his part, IMO. Poke even the gentlest bear enough times with a sharp stick, and he will eventually round on you. Whose fault is it when he does? > [@](#): > > At that point, I tried to get him to realize that his career here was in jeopardy, and suggested he chill out. At that point, he had been attacked so many times I doubt he cared much. > [@](#): > > I think you’re reading more into that than was there. That’s your prerogative. I am only interpreting events as I understand them. **Jeff Olsen** > [@](#): > > I have not read the Pat Robertson thread… Without a shred of insult intended, let me suggest that perhaps you should. To claim that HE was acting like a child is to ignore the ridiculously over-the-top vitriol he was subjected to in that thread. “shit-sucking, maggot-infested, used tampon-licking, corpse-fucking pustule on the underbelly of a leprous babylonian hyena?” Constructive Discourse? Uh huh. ---
**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:** [February 27, 2003, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reverend-mykeru-banned-sdmb-pit-vultures-rejoice/157718/179 "2003-02-27T19:49:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ogre \* > \*\*Without a shred of insult intended, let me suggest that perhaps you should. To claim that HE was acting like a child is to ignore the ridiculously over-the-top vitriol he was subjected to in that thread. “shit-sucking, maggot-infested, used tampon-licking, corpse-fucking pustule on the underbelly of a leprous babylonian hyena?” Constructive Discourse? Uh huh. \*\* I hope you don’t mind that I just take your word for it. I’ve had enough of reading threads in which he participated. Can we also agree that **Rev.** decided to be childish in return? ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reverend-mykeru-banned-sdmb-pit-vultures-rejoice/157718/180 "2003-02-27T19:55:26Z")
I’ll say again, since it doesn’t seem to have entered into **Ogre** ’s list of defenses–he took the flaming where it wasn’t warranted. I can totally understand that he’d want to stand up to the flaming and give back as good as he got. That’s pretty damn admirable, that he refused to be chased away. But rather than confine the flaming and vitriol to the threads concerned, he hijacked–or attempted to hijack–completely random threads with condemnations of the SDMB. He let the flamers get to him, and didn’t try to take the high road and prove his contributive potential. As a well-traveled, experienced forum warrior, he should have known better. If he had thrown back every insult given to him in the Robertson threads and his Pit threads, but maintained a steady course of non-inflammatory posting in other forums or even still in the Pit, I would like to think that most of the posters would have realized that he wasn’t a troller, just proud, and would have relented. The very first post I ever saw from him was in a [mod-bashing thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=164201) when he had something like less than 10 posts, attributing his experience with the Darwin Awards board moderators to the moderators on the SDMB, and already beginning with the insults based on that. Not really a great way to start off, wouldn’t you say? It seems fairly obvious that he came to the board with the expectation that everyone would kowtow to him, given his long experience with other forums. That’s my view on it, which is probably just as valid as yours, **Ogre** , being that neither of us got personally involved. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reverend-mykeru-banned-sdmb-pit-vultures-rejoice/157718.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reverend-mykeru-banned-sdmb-pit-vultures-rejoice/157718.md?page=10)