# So I got this warning **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [June 16, 2015, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-this-warning/722695 "2015-06-16T19:12:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-this-warning/722695/21 "2015-06-17T00:13:22Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > … > I strongly suggest you read all the sentences of mod notes in the future. As long as I’m being held to their content, I’ll go search through all 3600+ posts in _Controversial encounters between law-enforcement and civilians - the omnibus thread_… and make sure there’s no applicable mod notes with warnings that otherwise might apply. Good idea. ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-this-warning/722695/22 "2015-06-17T00:26:14Z")
I agree it’s not always workable to be informed of all mod notes on long threads. I think if there is honest mistake that violates mod instruction that wouldn’t otherwise be a warn able offense then it should be looked at generously. Frankly, and this is probably my own ignorance, but I’m not seeing the warnable comment in SA’s linked post. Honest request, can that be elaborated on? Again, I’m fairly ignorant on the topic and I want to be sensative to not offer unintended offense. ---
**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:** [June 17, 2015, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-this-warning/722695/23 "2015-06-17T00:52:17Z")
> [@Bone](#): > > I agree it’s not always workable to be informed of all mod notes on long threads. I think if there is honest mistake that violates mod instruction that wouldn’t otherwise be a warn able offense then it should be looked at generously. We are all reasonable (for the most part) people (for the most part), and if someone genuinely doesn’t see a mod note - either because they were posting at the same time as the moderator, or because it was on page 2 of a 15 page thread, we’re probably not going to slap them with a warning. In this case, we have a poster who admits to seeing the mod note, and just not caring enough to read the whole thing. That’s a substantially different situation than the one you and **Morgenstern** are talking about. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-this-warning/722695/24 "2015-06-17T01:51:12Z")
> [@GrandWino](#): > > Next time you’re wondering if a mod note is for you or not, there’s a quick test you can do to find out. First, find yourself a paper towel tube… **MODERATOR WARNING.** For **Grand Wino**. Being a jerk(and essentially trolling SA) for bringing up an extraneous subject which was deemed off limits years ago. Sure, **SA** can be a jerk sometimes, but don’t try to outdo him. **samclem** ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-this-warning/722695/25 "2015-06-17T02:19:00Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > That’s a substantially different situation than the one you and **Morgenstern** are talking about. Agreed. ---
**Author:** ![raventhief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raventhief/32/4_2.png) [@raventhief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raventhief)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-this-warning/722695/26 "2015-06-17T03:31:47Z")
I’m not really seeing any gray area here. There was a mod note, and instead of reading it, you skimmed it and decided it didn’t apply to you. Then you read more of the thread, and either didn’t notice that the whole transgender angle had been dropped, or did notice and decided to bring it back? I also don’t see that much difference between “didn’t bother to read it” and “didn’t want to waste time reading a note meant for someone else.” It seems like two parts of the same sentiment: _I didn’t bother reading it BECAUSE I didn’t see the point in wasting my time on a note meant for someone else._ ---
**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:** [June 17, 2015, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-this-warning/722695/27 "2015-06-17T03:55:09Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > There’s a difference between “I couldn’t be bothered to read your post” and “I didn’t see the need to waste time reading an admonition to **adaher** ”. Maybe so I don’t make the same mistake he/she/they did? > [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > Respectfully, yes there is. First, you moderated **adaher** for his Frankenstein remark. > > Then you dropped down a line making a new paragraph that contained the instruction in question. > > Then you dropped down and posted two more segments of dialog having to do with the Frankenstein remark. > > This created an impression that the whole post was aimed at **adaher’s** Frankenstein comment and it never occurred to me to drill down to see if perhaps it included moderation aimed at everyone as most mod notes and warnings don’t. My reaction was almost opposite yours. I saw the moderation of **adaher** Since it was indeed a different paragraph I dropped down and saw the warning was to us all. And I appreciated that the exchange was added below that so I knew exactly what not to do. As we say, YMMV. But this much variance is a little hard to understand. If you hope to dodge this warning, you better call Racehorse Haynes. Or at least his dog bite defense. > [@Frylock](#): > > Oh god, there’s nothing to address. > > You should be saying “My apologies. The violation was unintentional. I did fail to read the whole mod note. I’ll be more careful in the future.” This may be the first time **Frylock** and I agree on something. Somehow that frightens me just a little. 🙂 ---
**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:** [June 17, 2015, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-this-warning/722695/28 "2015-06-17T04:15:19Z")
When I mod note a particular post, that’s not just an admonition to that poster, it serves as an example of the kind of posts that I don’t want to see in that thread. And I frequently add general instructions to mod notes in which I have quoted a particular poster. _Any_ mod note could be relevant for subsequent posts in the thread. It’s always a good idea to read them in their entirety. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-this-warning/722695/29 "2015-06-17T04:30:25Z")
> [@GrandWino](#): > > Next time you’re wondering if a mod note is for you or not, there’s a quick test you can do to find out. First, find yourself a paper towel tube… > [@Colibri](#): > > When I mod note a particular post, that’s not just an admonition to that poster, it serves as an example of the kind of posts that I don’t want to see in that thread. And I frequently add general instructions to mod notes in which I have quoted a particular poster. > > _Any_ mod note could be relevant for subsequent posts in the thread. It’s always a good idea to read them in their entirety. Ummm … not to throw GrandWino under the bus but [why doesn’t he get a mod note?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=15617067&postcount=6) ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-this-warning/722695/30 "2015-06-17T04:40:51Z")
Every now and then a poster will get a warning through honest accident. Luckily most warnings are not instabans. - Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.\* ---
**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:** [June 17, 2015, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-this-warning/722695/31 "2015-06-17T04:55:33Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Ummm … not to throw GrandWino under the bus but [why doesn’t he get a mod note?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=15617067&postcount=6) Why should he? He’s well aware of the instructions not to bring the topic up gratuitously. He posted in your complaint thread when you received a warning because you failed to read my note to **Ludovic**. At any rate, let’s not rehash that issue here. Anyone wishing to discuss **GrandWino’s** warning should take it to another thread. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 10:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-this-warning/722695/32 "2015-06-17T10:42:55Z")
Whoops, nm. I had only read every-other-word of Colibri’s last post. ---
**Author:** ![bucketybuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@bucketybuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bucketybuck)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-this-warning/722695/33 "2015-06-17T10:55:07Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > Being a jerk(and essentially trolling SA) for bringing up an extraneous subject which was deemed off limits years ago. **Sure, SA can be a jerk sometimes** , but don’t try to outdo him. Well, thats just super professional now, isn’t it. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-this-warning/722695/34 "2015-06-17T13:07:43Z")
n/m ---
**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:** [June 17, 2015, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-this-warning/722695/35 "2015-06-17T16:10:53Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > Being a jerk(and essentially trolling SA) for bringing up an extraneous subject which was deemed off limits years ago. \*\*Sure, **SA** can be a jerk sometimes, but don’t try to outdo him. \*\* (I think I got the bolding right to match yours) > [@bucketybuck](#): > > Well, thats just super professional now, isn’t it. I’m not looking to start a fight but ----- how professional do we expect for free? And “being a jerk” is actually written into the rules somehow, right? Did I wince a little at the start of the last line there? A tiny bit yes. But in context of that warning, it made sense and made everything pretty clear. ---
**Author:** ![bucketybuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@bucketybuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bucketybuck)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-this-warning/722695/36 "2015-06-17T20:58:37Z")
> [@kopek](#): > > I’m not looking to start a fight but ----- how professional do we expect for free? And “being a jerk” is actually written into the rules somehow, right? Did I wince a little at the start of the last line there? A tiny bit yes. But in context of that warning, it made sense and made everything pretty clear. The guy started a thread in ATMB and there a moderator called him a jerk. I mean, if there was one forum where you would expect a little decorum from the mods I thought it would be this one. Guess not. Makes all those admonishments to keep things civil seem rather empty, but hey, que sera. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-this-warning/722695/37 "2015-06-17T21:47:54Z")
> [@bucketybuck](#): > > The guy started a thread in ATMB and there a moderator called him a jerk. I mean, if there was one forum where you would expect a little decorum from the mods I thought it would be this one. Guess not. What’s the number one rule of the board? Don’t Be A Jerk. How, precisely, are moderators expected to state that rule without, you know, stating that someone is a jerk? ---
**Author:** ![bucketybuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@bucketybuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bucketybuck)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-this-warning/722695/38 "2015-06-17T22:05:27Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > What’s the number one rule of the board? > > Don’t Be A Jerk. > > How, precisely, are moderators expected to state that rule without, you know, stating that someone is a jerk? Was he being a jerk in this thread? Did the moderators have to moderate him for being a jerk in this thread? Or was it simply a potshot against an easy target over past occurrences? ---
**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:** [June 17, 2015, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-this-warning/722695/39 "2015-06-17T22:19:37Z")
I’m lost. “He” who? **SA**? Please show where any moderator moderated him for being a jerk in this thread. **GrandWino**? He did admit to posting while drunk, or at least tipsy, and forgetting that there was a rule about making such statements outside the Pit. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-this-warning/722695/40 "2015-06-17T22:27:44Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > I’m lost. “He” who? **SA**? Please show where any moderator moderated him for being a jerk in this thread. > > **GrandWino**? He did admit to posting while drunk, or at least tipsy, and forgetting that there was a rule about making such statements outside the Pit. High, but the point stands. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-this-warning/722695.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-this-warning/722695.md?page=3)