I totally agree with DrDeth on this one. We’ve got lots of forums where taking over a thread with jokes is accepted or even expected. GQ is about factual questions and factual answers. An occasional joke makes reading fun. Frequent take overs by jokes kills the reason for having the forum.
But what constitutes a “take over”? It’s a fine line, methinks.
I gotta go with what appears to be the majority here. Samclem sounded a bit harsh; the warning itself could have been lighter – Turek and Uncommon Sense’s examples are good – but the suggestion to keep on track is a good one in GQ. But I think you have to take into consideration the topic of the thread, as Rigamarole said – one like this is bound to attract more clever comments than “how many miles to the moon”?
And look! Behold! We got some very good answers, even one from a OB-GYN nurse. And the thread was fun to read even tho I thought I knew the answer before opening. The thread, that is.
I gotta agree with elucidator. I want to know the joke about the one-legged man and the parrot. I’d start a new thread to ask, but where would I put it? The Pit is out (no joke threads), but since I’m button-holing a mod (or an Administrator, as the case may be), this *looks[/] like the place. ATMB? Nah.
I do too. It’s drivin’ me nuts. what?
I saw a one-legged man and he had a kangaroo on his shoulder.
I asked him why he had a kangaroo on his shoulder.
He said it’s not a kangaroo, it a parrot and he’s hopping mad.
…INCOMING PIES!!.. 
I think I agree with you. I probably should have done what Dex quite often does–just tell everyone to cool it. I probably wouldn’t post “Moderator Warning” again in that situation.
One-legged man sitting at a bar with a parrot on his shoulder. Parrot says, “Aaack! Bahaack t’whhhheeet!” Bartender says, “What’s he saying?” Man says, “I dunno. I’m stumped.”
My pulse rate, and blood pressure thank you. 
Yeah, the ‘official stink-eye’ warning was a bit of a shock to me, as well.
As far as joke posts in GQ go…I don’t see a problem with 'em. We’re mainly a reasonable bunch, as well as being pretty well-informed and helpful. If we can answer a question, we do. A few jokes won’t stop us from answering a question factually if we have the answer.
In all honesty, I can’t recall any thread in GQ that was so overrun with jokes that there wasn’t any possibility of an accurate response.
::: gives disdainful ‘sniff’ to humorless wretches, turns, and strolls away casually :::
There is no force known that will prevent a Doper from answering a question.
Wow. I’ve never seen a moderator on other message boards I’ve posted on take a suggestion from a member. I’ve definitely upgraded here. Thank you for making this an awesome place.
You are a big man charlie brown. You gots my respect.