# 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:** 18\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![bucketybuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@bucketybuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bucketybuck)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-this-warning/722695/101 "2015-06-18T14:32:50Z")
> [@kopek](#): > > “Sure, **SA** can be a jerk sometimes, but don’t try to outdo him.” is a lot different from “Sure, **SA** is being a jerk here, but don’t try to outdo him.” Accepting that we can all act like jerks sometimes, the first I can accept as a full explanation of why **Grand Wino** caught the warning; the second would be a clear potshot against **SA** for something he wasn’t warned for in this thread or moderated for to the best of my knowledge. Grandwino could have been warned for being a jerk without any mention whatsoever of whether \*\*SA \*\*was currently or ever had been a jerk. How easy would it have been to simply finish at: > [@](#): > > 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 A clear and concise warning, but despite **SA** breaking no rules in this thread the moderator felt the need to continue on and effectively say, “That guys a dick, you shouldn’t act like him”. In a forum where posters are repeatedly warned to keep things civil and avoid personal jabs I think its very bad form coming from a moderator. Clearly its “do as I say, not as I do” in here. ---
**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 18, 2015, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-this-warning/722695/102 "2015-06-18T14:44:27Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Then again, they are also protected by mods. I have received a warning over a **SA** post, and **Grand Wino** just got one. Just an observation. I think you’re just proving their point about problematic posters… ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-this-warning/722695/103 "2015-06-18T14:47:56Z")
> [@bucketybuck](#): > > Grandwino could have been warned for being a jerk without any mention whatsoever of whether \*\*SA \*\*was currently or ever had been a jerk. I agree. It was completely unnecessary. ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-this-warning/722695/104 "2015-06-18T15:30:05Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > That seems unlikely. What “refutation” is there to being called Frankenstein? Unfortunately, what you think is “unlikely” or not is beside the point from the truth of my intent. The fact that you cannot find a refutation doesn’t mean that I’m as limited. Implying I’m a liar is probably something you shouldn’t be doing, FTR. ---
**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 18, 2015, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-this-warning/722695/105 "2015-06-18T15:33:57Z")
> [@GrandWino](#): > > I think you’re just proving their point about problematic posters… 😃 Hi! ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-this-warning/722695/106 "2015-06-18T15:36:04Z")
> [@Una\_Persson](#): > > Implying I’m a liar is probably something you shouldn’t be doing, FTR. I’m sorry but that sounds like a straight up threat to me. And I have no dog in this fight. I appreciate greatly the work the mods do around here. But as some others have noted, IMO they really do need to be more “professional” when doing actual modding. And not sounding like they might mod your ass when they aren’t being mods if you piss them off enough. I think many people forget that not only should there not be impropriety, but even the APPEARANCE of impropriety. And on that standard, I think the mods fall too short too often for my tastes. ---
**Author:** ![jimbuff314](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c57346/32.png) [@jimbuff314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jimbuff314)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-this-warning/722695/107 "2015-06-18T15:52:42Z")
You’re right. It’s definitely not a board for everybody. (AKA - This is the way the moderation has been here for forever. “As it happens, I _am_ the fucking hall monitor.”) And it comes straight from the top. I like it. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-this-warning/722695/108 "2015-06-18T15:55:22Z")
> [@jimbuff314](#): > > You’re right. It’s definitely not a board for everybody. > > (AKA - This is the way the moderation has been here for forever. “As it happens, I _am_ the fucking hall monitor.”) And it comes straight from the top. I like it. THAT one I actually liked. But pot shots, insults, and statements that sound like threats from mods, especially when modding, is pure BS IMO. ---
**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 18, 2015, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-this-warning/722695/109 "2015-06-18T15:59:33Z")
> [@bucketybuck](#): > > If ignorance of a mod instruction is no defense, then what of the many, many people who do not read every page and every post of every thread, but who jump in to give their opinion anyway. Its incredibly common to see a post started with “I haven’t read all the posts but…”. Good thing, then, that nobody’s said that ignorance of a mod instruction is not a defense, isn’t it? We have, in fact, [repeatedly said the opposite.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=18444706&postcount=23) The issue in this thread is that **Starving Artist** saw the mod note, and made a deliberate decision not to read it. We could edit the thread title, change the color of the mod note, and set off a fireworks display, and it wouldn’t change the situation in this thread one bit, because _visibility is not the issue._ The mod note was not overlooked, it was ignored. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-this-warning/722695/110 "2015-06-18T16:00:24Z")
> [@bucketybuck](#): > > Its easy to say let it go, but when the inevitable banning comes there will be a link to that warning and similar others, then there will be a shrug of the shoulders and the reasoning that he had loads of warnings so it was his own fault. Yes, certainly. But if you repeatedly ignore mod warnings and get banned, “I didn’t read the thread” isn’t IMO a good excuse. Not that I am saying **SA** ignores warnings, but if one doesn’t read a thread before posting to it, one might miss something important. I am taking the mod’s word for it that **Starvie** ’s not on the brink or anything, any more than any other poster who has become _persona non grata_ for one reason or another. I would quibble on whether it deserved a Warning or just a mod note, but tempers were running high in that thread for various reasons and I can see how that might affect how seriously a transgression of that sort would be taken. That’s a judgment call by the mods, and that’s why they get the big bucks. I have a little more trouble with the part about “ **Starving Artist** can be a jerk but you still can’t break the rules”, but that’s just a bigger quibble. I have even more trouble with other posters saying “I dare you (to break the rules)” and “you are implying that I am a liar” and suchlike. I would have hoped to see the usual “take it to the Pit” at least. But so it goes. Regards, Shodan ---
**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:** [June 18, 2015, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-this-warning/722695/111 "2015-06-18T16:05:17Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > I’m sorry but that sounds like a straight up threat to me. What the hell are you talking about? A threat would be something like this: > [@Duo Populi](#): > > Imply I’m a liar again, and I burning your dog, FTR. A “straight up threat” must include, y’know, **a threat**. It must include a statement that the speaker will do something bad. There might be an implied threat here. The implied threat is, “If you continue implying I’m a liar, I’m going to click the report post button.” If that’s a threat, it’s a completely fine threat to make. The overreactions to UP’s posts here and in the other thread are ridiculous. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-this-warning/722695/112 "2015-06-18T16:05:29Z")
I think thinking about what “ignoring” means and implies might shed some light here. ---
**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 18, 2015, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-this-warning/722695/113 "2015-06-18T16:09:32Z")
> [@Una\_Persson](#): > > Implying I’m a liar is probably something you shouldn’t be doing, FTR. Is it against the rules to imply things now? I know Jr Modding is against the rules and I know making threats against other posters is against the rules, and apparently making jabs at SA is against the rules, but I"m not clear on this other thing. ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-this-warning/722695/114 "2015-06-18T16:12:04Z")
> [@Una\_Persson](#): > > Implying I’m a liar is probably something you shouldn’t be doing, FTR. Do you dare me to do it? :eek: I don’t think it’s at all possible to discuss the appropriateness of someone’s words and the reaction of other people to it if that person is given complete ownership of the interpretation of their words and no one can dispute them or be guilty of accusing them of being a liar. Fortunately, it’s been recently reiterated that the rule against calling people liars only applies in GD & Elections. So while I’m not looking to focus on whether anyone is a liar, I am comfortable commenting on what interpretation of their words seems most likely to me, if that happens to be the topic under discussion. ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-this-warning/722695/115 "2015-06-18T16:20:19Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > I’m sorry but that sounds like a straight up threat to me. And I have no dog in this fight. Come on billfish678, I know you - you’re a sharp poster, think about this and stop playing to the ref’. I do not work for the message board. I have no Moderator powers. I have no special access. I have no influence to even begin to make any “threat”, let alone carry out such. I work for the Straight Dope, as I have for the last 11 years continuously. I do not nor do I wish to get involved moderating this board. I’m not the glutton for punishment that the current moderators are. 😉 The only “threat” from what I said is that I’m not going to let stand without rebuttal someone implying I’m a liar. > [@](#): > > I think many people forget that not only should there not be impropriety, but even the APPEARANCE of impropriety. You have very high standards, my friend, for an internet message board. ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-this-warning/722695/116 "2015-06-18T16:23:22Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > Fortunately, it’s been recently reiterated that the rule against calling people liars only applies in GD & Elections. So while I’m not looking to focus on whether anyone is a liar, I am comfortable commenting on what interpretation of their words seems most likely to me, if that happens to be the topic under discussion. I am very glad to hear that you are comfortable. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-this-warning/722695/117 "2015-06-18T16:28:13Z")
> [@Una\_Persson](#): > > Come on billfish678, I know you - you’re a sharp poster, think about this and stop playing to the ref’. > > Stuff deleted by Billfish678 > > You have very high standards, my friend, for an internet message board. Who said I’m playing the ref? I told you how your statement came off as an random observer (and I think your comments in the thread(s?) in question were a bit suspect IMO as well)… Note the IMO in my posts as well. And, yes, I have high standards for that kinda stuff. Sure, you can’t meet them, because reality and shit, but to shrug and say WTF? why even try is bullshit IMO. I’m not going to spend much time defending my point of view or logic or whatever. I’m just throwing this out because if I’m thinking it, I doubt I’m the only one. ---
**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 18, 2015, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-this-warning/722695/118 "2015-06-18T16:48:11Z")
This thread has veered from the original complaint, which I think has been adequately answered. Since it seems to be devolving into posters sniping at one another about other issues, I think it’s time to close it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-this-warning/722695.md?page=5)