# So I guess we really DIDN'T mean it this time **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [October 15, 2013, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-guess-we-really-didnt-mean-it-this-time/671276 "2013-10-15T02:47:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**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:** [October 15, 2013, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-guess-we-really-didnt-mean-it-this-time/671276/1 "2013-10-15T02:47:30Z")
In this closed thread, I’m told that [we really did mean it.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=16756079&postcount=7) Well, subsequent to this [mod note](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=16755411&postcount=73), we have **DT** protesting, in the GD thread, [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=16757053&postcount=75) and [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=16757366&postcount=81). And yet, nothing happens. What gives? I’ve seen dozens of times when the threat of a warning is given, and if the poster protests\* in the non-ATMB thread\*, they get a warning. But not here. Instead, **DT** gets the kid gloves treatment. Now, I understand that not every instance is going to be the same, but here we have a long time poster complaining multiple times in a GD thread about a mod note, and… nothing. What am I missing? What is so special about this case that **DT** is allowed to do what other posters are not allowed to do? ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2013, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-guess-we-really-didnt-mean-it-this-time/671276/2 "2013-10-15T02:54:27Z")
Shit, I got a warning in an ATMB thread for just disagreeing with a mod’s characterization of my remarks, supposedly because I should have started a new ATMB thread to do so. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2013, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-guess-we-really-didnt-mean-it-this-time/671276/3 "2013-10-15T03:34:02Z")
Perhaps because it was a bit of a bullshit mod note to begin with. You may not like overly broad generalizations. That’s fine. But moderating them seems like introducing too much editorial control rather than administration of rules. ---
**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:** [October 15, 2013, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-guess-we-really-didnt-mean-it-this-time/671276/4 "2013-10-15T03:41:01Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > Perhaps because it was a bit of a bullshit mod note to begin with. IOW, they didn’t mean it. No? ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2013, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-guess-we-really-didnt-mean-it-this-time/671276/5 "2013-10-15T03:58:40Z")
I was arguing against the viewpoint\*\* Jonathan Chance \*\*expressed, not the modding; and **tomndebb** wasn’t even speaking as a moderator in the first place. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2013, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-guess-we-really-didnt-mean-it-this-time/671276/6 "2013-10-15T03:59:23Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > IOW, they didn’t mean it. No? I don’t know. I know that in my opinion they should not have meant it. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2013, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-guess-we-really-didnt-mean-it-this-time/671276/7 "2013-10-15T05:29:13Z")
As I was involved in this (I was the person Der Trihs was responding to when he was warned) here’s my two cents. I obviously disagreed with Der Trihs’s opinion at the time and I still do. But I didn’t think there was a need for a moderator warning. Der Trihs was not directing any personal attacks towards me or anyone else on the board (at least not directly). Nor was he going overboard in the language he used. I dropped the issue after the warning. I had said all I really had to say and I felt it was unfair to continue a debate against a person who was operating under the handicap of a warning, which theoretically restricted his ability to respond. I would have felt like I was provoking Der Trihs into posting something that would get him in trouble. But I agree with the OP. Regardless of whether the warning was justified, it was made. And after it had been made, Der Trihs continued to make similar posts. That does make the warning seem hollow. I don’t want the moderators to feel they have to follow up at this point. But I do think this is a sign that the original warning was unnecessary. And finally, I think if laughable for Der Trihs to claim, as he did, that conservatives get preferential treatment on this board. This is a predominantly liberal board and whatever bias may exist (in my opinion, it’s minimal) is clearly not directed in favor of conservatives. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2013, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-guess-we-really-didnt-mean-it-this-time/671276/8 "2013-10-15T07:52:54Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > And finally, I think if laughable for Der Trihs to claim, as he did, that conservatives get preferential treatment on this board. No; I meant that they get preferential treatment _everywhere in the country,_ including but not limited to this _America-based_ board. Any other faction that acted like they did would be outright condemned as evil by nearly everyone. And in fact _are,_ when they are foreigners. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2013, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-guess-we-really-didnt-mean-it-this-time/671276/9 "2013-10-15T12:26:41Z")
Keep digging. You’ll get there. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2013, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-guess-we-really-didnt-mean-it-this-time/671276/10 "2013-10-15T12:29:28Z")
This will end well. ---
**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:** [October 15, 2013, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-guess-we-really-didnt-mean-it-this-time/671276/11 "2013-10-15T13:08:12Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > Keep digging. You’ll get there. I’m pretty sure he’s almost there. ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2013, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-guess-we-really-didnt-mean-it-this-time/671276/12 "2013-10-15T13:12:09Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > No; I meant that they get preferential treatment _everywhere in the country,_ including but not limited to this _America-based_ board. So, “no” as in “yes”. Gotcha. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2013, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-guess-we-really-didnt-mean-it-this-time/671276/13 "2013-10-15T13:52:29Z")
Wait, so this board has a conservative bias now? I’m so confused. ---
**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:** [October 15, 2013, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-guess-we-really-didnt-mean-it-this-time/671276/14 "2013-10-15T13:55:05Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > Wait, so this board has a conservative bias now? I’m so confused. No, its the world not the board. Please keep up. ---
**Author:** ![JBDivmstr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b4bc9f/32.png) [@JBDivmstr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JBDivmstr)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2013, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-guess-we-really-didnt-mean-it-this-time/671276/15 "2013-10-15T14:12:43Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > No, its the world not the board. Please keep up. It _ **IS** _? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2013, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-guess-we-really-didnt-mean-it-this-time/671276/16 "2013-10-15T14:14:42Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > No, its the world not the board. Please keep up. No, he clearly said the board as well. I’ll be dogged if know what he means by “preferential treatment”, however. Maybe he thinks conservatives are supposed to get the instaban treatment that Stormfronters tend to get, or something. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2013, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-guess-we-really-didnt-mean-it-this-time/671276/17 "2013-10-15T14:20:39Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > No; I meant that they get preferential treatment _everywhere in the country,_ including but not limited to this _America-based_ board. Any other faction that acted like they did would be outright condemned as evil by nearly everyone. And in fact _are,_ when they are foreigners. Conservatives are getting preferential treatment everywhere in the country? From who? The national moderators? ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2013, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-guess-we-really-didnt-mean-it-this-time/671276/18 "2013-10-15T14:22:17Z")
In my (brief) time as a mod I have several times closed a thread with the phrase ‘This serves no purpose.’ I’m tempted to do so about this one but - as it involves me - I don’t feel I can. This breaks my longstanding ‘never reply to letters to the editor’ policy (hard learned, that) but I do feel a need because, hey, I love you all so much. In my original mod note for Der Trihs, I mentioned that the post in question was unhelpful and didn’t promote debate. I stand by that statement. That sort of rant is childish and does nothing to move to greater understanding. It is also deeply disrespectful of others and the board as a whole. Look, I accepted the job of moderator not for the money, nor for the swag (I haven’t even received my coffee mug!) but because I feel a great loyalty to the SDMB. Wholly accidentally, I discovered a place where people - by and large - behave like adults. Leet speak is not tolerated, an unsupported statement can be challenged with a request for citation and that request respected and so forth. On the Internet that’s rare thing and I value it. That’s why one of the things I hope to control is argument that indulges in hateful statements or fallacy. Der Trihs original statement did both and I tossed him a note about it. I will do it again if needed and I’ll do it to others on both sides of the aisle who believe that their role is to be hurtful and unhelpful. Won’t matter if you’re right or left on the political spectrum, be a jerk and get called on it. I developed this habit during my endless times as a questioner, moderator and eventually a candidate in political debates. I have done a godawful amount of televised debates up to the level of US congressman due to my work in media. One thing I learned early is that thing will spiral out of control if I don’t keep a firm hand. This has led me to - notably - cut off a mic on my own congressman (whom I supported!) and facing down a Tea Party question wearing a gun when I was the only democratic candidate to respond to the groups invitation. I did not warn Der Trihs for his post following my note because - in my opinion - it was more nuanced and subtle and respectful than his previous one. That decision is mine and mine alone and I make no apologies about it. Heck, I think I even mentioned it in the thread in question. I believe the best in people. I try very hard to do so. Because of that I believe that no one HAS to be a bomb thrower in Great Debates. There are certainly ways to deliver the same message that continue to be polite and help to move debate along. It’s a fine art to conveying that you think someone is a bastard without actually saying it and I encourage all to work on their rhetorical skills. It’ll make GD more entertaining, at a minimum. “The crude man is the one without compassion. The crude man, by his actions, forces others to be direct.” I read that in a book, though I forget the title. It’s words to live by. I want to see the nature of the discussion in Great Debates raised to the point where we don’t have the same 20 or 30 people yelling at each other all the time. It pushes people away - me, for one - and limits points of view and discussion. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2013, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-guess-we-really-didnt-mean-it-this-time/671276/19 "2013-10-15T15:08:37Z")
Well, shucks. That’s us told. \ (Seriously - very well said, **JC**. But you’re only raising the bar for yourself with such highfalutin rhetoric. Better to start off being a vicious bastard and then ease off so that everyone is impressed by your magnanimity.) ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2013, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-guess-we-really-didnt-mean-it-this-time/671276/20 "2013-10-15T15:27:20Z")
> [@](#): > > What am I missing? What is so special about this case that DT is allowed to do what other posters are not allowed to do? Yeah, I have to agree with you here John. He got a mod note for calling conservatives evil, blah blah blah (his normal schtick, though he could have tossed in some anti-American and anti-religious rants to touch all the bases), and then he basically argued with the Mods (one of which was posting as a poster, not officially) about why he felt he was in the right. As you said, I think the Mods in question should have told him to take it to ATMB, which is what they generally do with other posters who attempt to argue with them about things like a note, and certainly their failure to do so is puzzling. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-guess-we-really-didnt-mean-it-this-time/671276.md?page=2)