# Rico, was there a radical rewrite of board rules I missed? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [April 3, 2006, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rico-was-there-a-radical-rewrite-of-board-rules-i-missed/351139 "2006-04-03T20:30:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rico-was-there-a-radical-rewrite-of-board-rules-i-missed/351139/41 "2006-04-04T12:53:00Z")
Why is this thread still open? [Need help, songs/albums that sound REALLY good when stoned](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=363315) ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rico-was-there-a-radical-rewrite-of-board-rules-i-missed/351139/42 "2006-04-04T15:49:05Z")
> [@Rick](#): > > TPTB are afraid that the term Straight dope might get confused with the term “Dope” For this reason the mods and admins are very, very careful about any thread dealing with drugs. Oh, please. That, much like the closing being discussed, is completely ridiculous. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rico-was-there-a-radical-rewrite-of-board-rules-i-missed/351139/43 "2006-04-04T16:49:04Z")
> [@Rick](#): > > I don’t really have a dog in this hunt. I just want to remind everyone that the name of this board is The Straight[Dope](http://cnnstudentnews.cnn.com/fyi/interactive/news/brain/brain.on.drugs.html) message board. > TPTB are afraid that the term Straight dope might get confused with the term “Dope” For this reason the mods and admins are very, very careful about any thread dealing with drugs. > If it fair? Maybe not. But thats the way it is. Deal with it. You have a cite for that? It’s almost as dumb as **Rico** ’s reasoning. Every other time a mod’s weighed in on this issue, the only concern mentioned is that if someone learns how to break the law on the board, it might open them up to legal liability for their actions. Telling someone that 'shrooms taste like used gym socks doesn’t do anything to help some get high. There’s no reason to disallow it. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rico-was-there-a-radical-rewrite-of-board-rules-i-missed/351139/44 "2006-04-04T17:07:57Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > You have a cite for that? He’s right. It’s also why they come down so hard on homophobes. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Revenant\_Threshold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rico-was-there-a-radical-rewrite-of-board-rules-i-missed/351139/45 "2006-04-04T17:14:37Z")
> [@Left Hand of Dorkness](#): > > He’s right. It’s also why they come down so hard on homophobes. And definite articleists. ---
**Author:** ![Xploder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/a183cd/32.png) [@Xploder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xploder)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rico-was-there-a-radical-rewrite-of-board-rules-i-missed/351139/46 "2006-04-04T17:36:44Z")
> [@Revenant Threshold](#): > > And definite articleists. Okay. That was pretty funny. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rico-was-there-a-radical-rewrite-of-board-rules-i-missed/351139/47 "2006-04-04T17:47:07Z")
[QUOTE=Rico] > [@](#): > > Tasting illegal drugs (law enforcement personell excepted) is a violation of U.S. law. That’s not the point. We talk about a lot of things here that violate US law. We talk about penalties and outcomes and all sorts of other detail. This is perfectly fine as long as we’re not telling anyone how to break the law. > [@](#): > > Illegal (in the USA) Drugs - **You are allowed discussion of the effects of drugs** , but do not discuss where to buy them. Limited discussion of past use of drugs is OK, discussion of current use is not. Please include a disclaimer that the drug is illegal in the US. Taste is an effect of drugs. We are allowed to talk about the effects of drugs. Nobody was asking how to go about finding drugs to taste or the best way to taste them. Earlier you said you aren’t a mind-reader, so don’t try to read minds. In short, you’re wrong. Of course I am not going to hold my breath waiting for a mod to admit error. Just try to understand the rules a little better next time, mkay? ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rico-was-there-a-radical-rewrite-of-board-rules-i-missed/351139/48 "2006-04-04T17:53:22Z")
> [@Revenant Threshold](#): > > And definite articleists. You’ve got a lot of nerve, posting here right after discussing [superheroes breaking the law](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=365813)! Do you know how much trouble this could get the board in? Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Revenant\_Threshold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rico-was-there-a-radical-rewrite-of-board-rules-i-missed/351139/49 "2006-04-04T18:30:22Z")
> [@Left Hand of Dorkness](#): > > You’ve got a lot of nerve, posting here right after discussing [superheroes breaking the law](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=365813)! Do you know how much trouble this could get the board in? Hmm, you’re right! I’d better make it clear to the mods, then; in no way am I proposing that those posters with superpowers commit illegal acts. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rico-was-there-a-radical-rewrite-of-board-rules-i-missed/351139/50 "2006-04-04T18:33:01Z")
I know I might get in trouble for asking this, but does anyone know what supercriminals taste like? Daniel ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rico-was-there-a-radical-rewrite-of-board-rules-i-missed/351139/51 "2006-04-04T18:52:39Z")
The thread closing was chickenshit, the rationale for closing it was bullshit, and the fact this this thread has called **Rico** on it and the thread in question has not been reopened is horseshit. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rico-was-there-a-radical-rewrite-of-board-rules-i-missed/351139/52 "2006-04-04T19:41:58Z")
> [@Rico](#): > > …Discussion of illegal drugs in not verboten here. **Discussion of illegal drug use is** … bolding mine Well, yes, that was rather the question of the OP. Since it’s not in the Rules or Posting Guidelines, can you tell me where this rule (“Discussion of illegal drug use [is verboten here]”) is and when it was implemented? 'Cause it seems to directly contradict the rules that \*are \*actually posted - namely, that we can discuss the effects of drugs and past experiences with them, but not current use or aid in illegal activity. Hell, it’s not even required that one have done illegal cocaine to know it’s bitter and numbing. I’ve never used coke, and I was the one who posted that post! OTW: Cite? ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rico-was-there-a-radical-rewrite-of-board-rules-i-missed/351139/53 "2006-04-04T19:45:27Z")
uh…I have NO idea what my brain thought “OTW” means.\* I \*meant to type “IOW”, and my fingers obeyed a different master. Must be all that pot I haven’t been smoking. ---
**Author:** ![Xploder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/a183cd/32.png) [@Xploder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xploder)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rico-was-there-a-radical-rewrite-of-board-rules-i-missed/351139/54 "2006-04-04T19:46:32Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > Hell, it’s not even required that one have done illegal cocaine to know it’s bitter and numbing. It’s only bitter if you buy the cheap stuff. What? ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rico-was-there-a-radical-rewrite-of-board-rules-i-missed/351139/55 "2006-04-04T19:57:30Z")
> [@Xploder](#): > > It’s only bitter if you buy the cheap stuff. Actually, I think the opposite of that may be true. Cocaine is frequently cut with [mannitol](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mannitol), which is sweet-tasting and has a side-effect of making it easier for drugs to reach the brain. A bit of digging suggests it is also cut with lactose, inositol, or plain old icing sugar. So I imagine that the more adulterated the cocaine was, the sweeter it would taste. (Other adulterants seem to be baking soda and ascorbic acid, though, so I guess it could go the other way, too – but on balance, it seems to be more commonly cut with sweet substances.) ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rico-was-there-a-radical-rewrite-of-board-rules-i-missed/351139/56 "2006-04-04T20:18:00Z")
Dammit, are you two trying to get my thread closed? If he closed it over there, he’ll close it over here, guys! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Xploder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/a183cd/32.png) [@Xploder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xploder)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rico-was-there-a-radical-rewrite-of-board-rules-i-missed/351139/57 "2006-04-04T20:30:23Z")
> [@Larry Mudd](#): > > Actually, I think the opposite of that may be true. Cocaine is frequently cut with [mannitol](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mannitol), which is sweet-tasting and has a side-effect of making it easier for drugs to reach the brain. A bit of digging suggests it is also cut with lactose, inositol, or plain old icing sugar. > > So I imagine that the more adulterated the cocaine was, the sweeter it would taste. > > (Other adulterants seem to be baking soda and ascorbic acid, though, so I guess it could go the other way, too – but on balance, it seems to be more commonly cut with sweet substances.) It’s also cut with baby formula - which is why I now have to buy it for my grandson from BEHIND the counter. Aside from that, my comment was obviously a joke. I know how bitter cocaine is. Also, mocaine and procaine have the same bitter taste without the rush and are, or at least use to be, used by dentists. Oh yeah, as far as the old myth that cocaine let’s you fuck a long time? It ain’t true. Not that I know or anything. Um. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rico-was-there-a-radical-rewrite-of-board-rules-i-missed/351139/58 "2006-04-04T20:58:51Z")
> [@Xploder](#): > > Aside from that, my comment was obviously a joke. Oh, I took that as a given. I just have a habit of supplying serious answers to obvious jokes without any comment on the joke. Like this: > [@WhyNot](#): > > Dammit, are you two trying to get my thread closed? If he closed it over there, he’ll close it over here, guys! I’m banking on **Rico** ’s call being reversed as soon as an admin looks at it or there’s any discussion about it amongst the other mods, since it’s plainly contrary to established rules. (Still appreciate all that volunteer work, of course – while I think it was a bad call, but agree this thread should remain in the “cool side of the pit.” Seriously, what’s with the exclamation points some folks are bringing into it?) ---
**Author:** ![Xploder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/a183cd/32.png) [@Xploder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xploder)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2006, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rico-was-there-a-radical-rewrite-of-board-rules-i-missed/351139/59 "2006-04-07T06:44:27Z")
> [@Larry Mudd](#): > > Like this:I’m banking on **Rico** ’s call being reversed as soon as an admin looks at it or there’s any discussion about it amongst the other mods, since it’s plainly contrary to established rules. Guess you thought wrong huh? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2006, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rico-was-there-a-radical-rewrite-of-board-rules-i-missed/351139/60 "2006-04-07T09:33:17Z")
Man, so, noone is going to fix these dumbass mistakes made by a mod? Why have mods and admins in the first place then? I can write them a bot that will randomly close threads without understanding the rules of the board or the content of the post. Heck, if I got a coffe mug for it, I would make it cruise the pit and explain itself badly. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rico-was-there-a-radical-rewrite-of-board-rules-i-missed/351139.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rico-was-there-a-radical-rewrite-of-board-rules-i-missed/351139.md?page=4)