# Should mods contribute to a Pit-like atmosphere in Elections? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [March 29, 2016, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-mods-contribute-to-a-pit-like-atmosphere-in-elections/750496 "2016-03-29T00:50:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2016, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-mods-contribute-to-a-pit-like-atmosphere-in-elections/750496/1 "2016-03-29T00:50:46Z")
[Thread in question.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=788585) Now it would have been fair enough for Tom or another mod to have instructed Slacker to tone it down in Elections. Appropriate. Often mods have as that forum can very easily become Pit-lite rather than actual reasoned political debate. OTOH a mod, Tom in this case, even wearing a poster’s hat, responding with “Bwahahahaha!” is the exact wrong input. Snark is going to happen in Elections but a mod fanning the flames should simply _not_ happen. IMHO. ---
**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:** [March 29, 2016, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-mods-contribute-to-a-pit-like-atmosphere-in-elections/750496/2 "2016-03-29T00:51:44Z")
FWIW, while I agree with Tom on the quality of the OP in question, I never find “BWAHAHAHA” to be a useful contribution. Shit like that should leave GD and Elections forever. Edit: I say this as a point of etiquette; I don’t at this point think it should be a rule. Folks who post “BWAHAHA” or otherwise indicate that they haven’t thought seriously and respectfully about their opponents’ positions in general don’t inspire me to think seriously or respectfully about what they say, nor do they convince me that their own input is likely to be serious. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2016, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-mods-contribute-to-a-pit-like-atmosphere-in-elections/750496/3 "2016-03-29T00:57:42Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > Snark is going to happen in Elections but a mod fanning the flames should simply _not_ happen. Moderators should absolutely be allowed to post as a poster when they are not posting as a moderator. **Tomndebb** was not posting as a moderator in that post. If you, or anyone, feels that the post was inappropriate for the forum, you are free to report it, or to Pit him. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2016, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-mods-contribute-to-a-pit-like-atmosphere-in-elections/750496/4 "2016-03-29T01:25:18Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > Moderators should absolutely be allowed to post as a poster when they are not posting as a moderator. **Tomndebb** was not posting as a moderator in that post. If you, or anyone, feels that the post was inappropriate for the forum, you are free to report it, or to Pit him. And so reported. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2016, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-mods-contribute-to-a-pit-like-atmosphere-in-elections/750496/5 "2016-03-29T01:34:15Z")
That’s a good point, because the only thing that **tom** posted was “Bwahahahaha!”. Oh wait, it was just the lead-in to why he thought it was funny. He’s a poster, like any other. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2016, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-mods-contribute-to-a-pit-like-atmosphere-in-elections/750496/6 "2016-03-29T05:54:18Z")
Is it permissible in GD and Elections to submit a response characterizing the assertions in a post as _laughably wrong_? Serious question ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2016, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-mods-contribute-to-a-pit-like-atmosphere-in-elections/750496/7 "2016-03-29T11:34:19Z")
That cop just smirked at me! POLICE BRUTALITY!!! ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2016, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-mods-contribute-to-a-pit-like-atmosphere-in-elections/750496/8 "2016-03-29T12:04:36Z")
I am not a GD or Elections mod and I tend to not go there very often. Given that, I didn’t see anything that would make me even notice that post. I see nothing at all that would go against any rule. If you have a problem with the fact that mods are allowed to post as normal posters your opinion is noted but I don’t see it changing. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2016, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-mods-contribute-to-a-pit-like-atmosphere-in-elections/750496/9 "2016-03-29T13:25:50Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Is it permissible in GD and Elections to submit a response characterizing the assertions in a post as _laughably wrong_? I’ve seen it done many times, and I’ve never seen it moderated. But I can guarantee you the mods will not draw a bright line and say it never will. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2016, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-mods-contribute-to-a-pit-like-atmosphere-in-elections/750496/10 "2016-03-29T13:37:51Z")
I went to the thread expecting to see several posts from **Tom** and was a little surprised. One post as a normal (well – as much as any of us are normal) poster and this starts? OK, maybe it would have been more polite if he had said something like “I’m sorry but I find it funny” rather than “Bwahahahaha!” but ---- I’m just not seeing the big deal. Mods have gotten snarky, as a poster, on me once or twice. Maybe I’m the odd man out but I kind of like it; it shows them as being pretty much the same as the rest of us and not some sort of remote viewers only hanging around for the authority. But like with a lot of things in life, that could just be me. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2016, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-mods-contribute-to-a-pit-like-atmosphere-in-elections/750496/11 "2016-03-29T16:02:35Z")
It’s tough enough with the rules that we have. I can’t see that it makes sense to have a tighter set of rules for the mods. When they post, they are posters. ---
**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:** [March 29, 2016, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-mods-contribute-to-a-pit-like-atmosphere-in-elections/750496/12 "2016-03-29T17:02:28Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > OTOH a mod, Tom in this case, even wearing a poster’s hat, responding with “Bwahahahaha!” is the exact wrong input. You consider _that_ Pit-like? :dubious: I doubt I’d give that a second look even in GQ, unless it was part of a escalating series of snarky remarks. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2016, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-mods-contribute-to-a-pit-like-atmosphere-in-elections/750496/13 "2016-03-29T17:40:34Z")
The response was inappropriate. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2016, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-mods-contribute-to-a-pit-like-atmosphere-in-elections/750496/14 "2016-03-29T17:50:57Z")
Tom added a little flavor to a reasonable response. If the thread was going out of control it might be worth a comment. I know others disagree, but I don’t see a problem with the Elections forum reflecting the level of political debate that occurs in the actual election. In that regard the forum is on the tame side for this cycle. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2016, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-mods-contribute-to-a-pit-like-atmosphere-in-elections/750496/15 "2016-03-29T18:05:12Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > The response was inappropriate. Nonsense. The whole thread is a Pit thread in Elections’ clothing. From the OP: > [@Feel the #extortion Bernie has planned](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feel-the-extortion-bernie-has-planned/750443/1): > > I am really starting to hate this motherfucker. Who the HELL does he think he is? Grrrr. :mad: And you blame \*\*Tomndebb \*\*for the “Pit-like atmosphere”? :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2016, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-mods-contribute-to-a-pit-like-atmosphere-in-elections/750496/16 "2016-03-29T18:27:48Z")
mods thoughts matter! ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2016, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-mods-contribute-to-a-pit-like-atmosphere-in-elections/750496/17 "2016-03-29T18:41:02Z")
> [@simster](#): > > mods thoughts matter! ALL thoughts matter, you modist! 😉 CMC fnord! ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2016, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-mods-contribute-to-a-pit-like-atmosphere-in-elections/750496/18 "2016-03-29T22:16:03Z")
As long as “Drumpf” and :rolleyes: are allowed, “Bwahahaha” is completely in line with other means of dismissal. Like “[You buy into some really weird stuff.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=19214492&postcount=2)” Or “[that’s baloney.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=19215251&postcount=36)” Or “[Jesus christ, now he’s **threatening**? … Bravo, sir, bravo.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=19215986&postcount=60)” Or “[You are free to demean and debase yourself and the forum all you like.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=19216446&postcount=79)” ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2016, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-mods-contribute-to-a-pit-like-atmosphere-in-elections/750496/19 "2016-03-30T00:59:20Z")
> [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](#): > > Nonsense. The whole thread is a Pit thread in Elections’ clothing. From the OP: > > And you blame \*\*Tomndebb \*\*for the “Pit-like atmosphere”? :rolleyes: No, as I stated in my op I blame him as someone who knows better from _contributing_ to what I see as an undesirable atmosphere for Eletions. Also there is well defined difference between posting about a politician derisively and treating another poster derisively. > [@Irishman](#): > > As long as “Drumpf” and :rolleyes: are allowed, “Bwahahaha” is completely in line with other means of dismissal. > > Like “[You buy into some really weird stuff.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=19214492&postcount=2)” > > Or “[that’s baloney.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=19215251&postcount=36)” > > Or “[Jesus christ, now he’s **threatening**? … Bravo, sir, bravo.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=19215986&postcount=60)” > > Or “[You are free to demean and debase yourself and the forum all you like.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=19216446&postcount=79)” Yes, the last was mine … when Tom … for lack of a better word … “threatened” that he would do the same to me … yes treating other posters with derision in Elections is debasing and demeaning yourself and the purpose of the forum and it only invites similar behavior back. I cannot claim that I am above taking the bait on occasion but to me “Bwahahaha!” in Elections is very much akin to attacking the poster and only serves to facilitate more personal attacks. ---
**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:** [March 30, 2016, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-mods-contribute-to-a-pit-like-atmosphere-in-elections/750496/20 "2016-03-30T03:31:51Z")
He’s just practicing his game, preparing himself to fill the long-vacant post of Fucking Hall Monitor. We need more of those! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-mods-contribute-to-a-pit-like-atmosphere-in-elections/750496.md?page=2)