I was curious about the exact course of events. So I went back and looked it up. Here’s what he said in 2005 -
Thread link:
Direct link to manhattan’s post:http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=6082809&postcount=4
Lobsang, in post 4 suggests that manhattan stepped down for political reasons:
Lobsang:
This is the drink talking: But my experience of manhattan was that he had some very right-wing views and maybe the board could do without a mod with strong opinions.
I am often wrong about these things.
manhattan, in post 5, immediately steps in and sets the record straight:
Here’s a link to manny’s relevant retirement thread, from 2003, started by Ed Zotti:
manhattan, GQ moderator for lo these many years, is resigning. As some of you know, manny IRL manages billions of dollars of other people’s money (no shit), and why he’s been hanging around here all this time doing a job that involves maxissimo grief...
manhattan , GQ moderator for lo these many years, is resigning. As some of you know, manny IRL manages billions of dollars of other people’s money (no shit), and why he’s been hanging around here all this time doing a job that involves maxissimo grief and no cash is a mystery to us. Nonetheless we are grateful for his efforts, will miss his mordant wit, and can only say that the fact that he won’t be patrolling GQ any more better not give anybody any ideas. Manny will continue to participate on the SDMB, post the occasional Staff Report, and accept any drinks or other favors you may wish to bestow on him at SD gatherings, although if you were thinking it would do you any good it’s a little late now. Our best wishes to manny and if he’s looking for someplace to invest some spare assets, all we can say is we asked first.
And here is manhattan’s actual ‘Farewell post’http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=3871771&postcount=107
Thanks for the kind words, all. I’m not going anywhere, I’ve just been traded to the Staff Reports (embarrassingly, for “future consideration,” prolly some minor-league wash-up mod from an ezboard forum about Britney’s breasts).
In the spirit of GQ, let me clear up some facts.
I don’t manage “billions of dollars” but rather $600 MM. But yeah, it’s something of a time sink – I haven’t been as active since I got promoted 20 or so months ago. Speaking of which, how come no one ever asks any securities-related questions? Oh, and only a few thousand of it is actually mine, so no dollar-bill handouts.
I’ll still be going to the various fests whenever possible – in fact, not modding will free up some time to do that.
Bib is meaner than he looks and will play bad cop quite nicely.
I am not eligible for the California Gubernatorial race for the reason that I am sane.
Alphagene is better looking, but Ukulele Ike is a tiger in bed.
I own stolen music. Maybe some other stuff from threads I’ve closed; I ain’t sayin’. But on the board, rules is rules.
I can still swear (forum appropriately, of course), I just can’t close the thread afterwards.
I lovelovelove the death ray thread; my only disappointment is that the membership was unable to develop one to surpass the 20’s-style death rays. I’d have made an exception to the rules for a good one.
Spankings are still available after clearance with my fictitious girlfriend, Canby .
See ya around the boards, and look for a Staff Report about the Brooklyn Bridge, coming soon to a SD front page near you! Oh, and for a retirement party thread in MPSIMS – we’re thinking Sept. 4.
-manhattan
So the “poor manhattan chased from the board by slavering Liberals” thing … doesn’t really check out.
PS - Bricker, you actually posted in manhattan’s retirement thread, Post 61. You just said that the board would be poorer without him. Unquestionably true, but nothing to do with politics.