# Subject: how to open a closed thread vs starting a new one with the same subject **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [January 30, 2018, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subject-how-to-open-a-closed-thread-vs-starting-a-new-one-with-the-same-subject/807815 "2018-01-30T16:13:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**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:** [February 1, 2018, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subject-how-to-open-a-closed-thread-vs-starting-a-new-one-with-the-same-subject/807815/21 "2018-02-01T16:38:02Z")
> [@Mr\_Quatro](#): > > Is there a higher authority to take this matter to That’s kind of the question, though, isn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subject-how-to-open-a-closed-thread-vs-starting-a-new-one-with-the-same-subject/807815/22 "2018-02-01T16:44:23Z")
> [@Mr\_Quatro](#): > > Is there a higher authority to take this matter to … Do you believe there is? ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subject-how-to-open-a-closed-thread-vs-starting-a-new-one-with-the-same-subject/807815/23 "2018-02-01T17:28:07Z")
Or he could just hack the board and re-open it. **Warning: Do not hack the board. Consequences may include loss of job, loss of social standing, imprisonment, loss of assets, garnishment of wages, liens against future income, banning from the board, court ordered disengagement from the internet, hair loss, high blood pressure, stress, anxiety and mental illness.** ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subject-how-to-open-a-closed-thread-vs-starting-a-new-one-with-the-same-subject/807815/24 "2018-02-01T17:38:17Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > Or he could just hack the board and re-open it. > > **Warning: Do not hack the board. Consequences may include loss of job, loss of social standing, imprisonment, loss of assets, garnishment of wages, liens against future income, banning from the board, court ordered disengagement from the internet, hair loss, high blood pressure, stress, anxiety and mental illness.** Do not taunt Happy Fun Zotti. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subject-how-to-open-a-closed-thread-vs-starting-a-new-one-with-the-same-subject/807815/25 "2018-02-01T19:07:37Z")
I just want to point out that the obvious counter to anything you say is “there are so many purported prophecies that you can always find one that you can retroactively say actually applies.” Unless you can cite someone with a really good track record with predictions/prophesies, I see no reason for anyone, religious or not, to take that person seriously. In short, you may want to just reconsider making the thread at all. Instead, if you want to discuss this sort of thing, find someone who is actually accurate, without vagueness. ---
**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:** [February 1, 2018, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subject-how-to-open-a-closed-thread-vs-starting-a-new-one-with-the-same-subject/807815/26 "2018-02-01T19:24:49Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Do not taunt Happy Fun Zotti. I was thinking more in terms of _What rolls down stairs, alone or in pairs Rolls over the fam-i-ly dog_ But I have to admit yours is more on point. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Quatro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bc8723/32.png) [@Mr\_Quatro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Quatro)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subject-how-to-open-a-closed-thread-vs-starting-a-new-one-with-the-same-subject/807815/27 "2018-02-02T20:36:26Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Do you believe there is? We have crossed swords before Mr Czarcasm … and if I remember correctly you won those arguments too about Ghost and Spirits, but this is different. Yes, I believe there is a higher power than the moderator Bone saying it is finished. I had to look up this name that the other posters provided: > [@](#): > > Ed Zotti (born 1951) is credited as being the “editor and confidant” of Cecil Adams, the pseudonym of the writer of the column “The Straight Dope” (published by the Chicago Reader and nationally syndicated since 1997). Perhaps Ed Zotti is that higher power … noticed that he attended high school at Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary which I presume was a Catholic school of learning. Surely someone of such intelligence can see that God has talked to people and that God still does talk to people and that this was an instance that proves the election was rigged in heaven. I even lost faith and thought I was wrong, but I have regained my faith that God spoke to me that day. I can’t prove it to everyone, but if Ed Zotti is the net step in opening the thread then so be it. Yes the old thread was made fun of in the present tense and after the fact. As surely a new one with part 2 would also be, but as much as I would like to start a new thread I do not feel led to do so. The vanity of it all is that I have no motive, but to prove that God does speak to people. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subject-how-to-open-a-closed-thread-vs-starting-a-new-one-with-the-same-subject/807815/28 "2018-02-02T20:43:58Z")
Do you see the contradiction in your last statement? ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subject-how-to-open-a-closed-thread-vs-starting-a-new-one-with-the-same-subject/807815/29 "2018-02-02T21:23:09Z")
> [@Mr\_Quatro](#): > > but as much as I would like to start a new thread I do not feel led to do so. Fine, [I did it for you](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=20764424). ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subject-how-to-open-a-closed-thread-vs-starting-a-new-one-with-the-same-subject/807815/30 "2018-02-02T21:31:27Z")
> [@Mr\_Quatro](#): > > … > > The vanity of it all is that I have no motive, but to prove that God does speak to people. I want to hear what God says to Czarcasm. Can we listen in? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subject-how-to-open-a-closed-thread-vs-starting-a-new-one-with-the-same-subject/807815/31 "2018-02-02T21:37:58Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > I want to hear what God says to Czarcasm. Can we listen in? All I hear is a beautiful female voice singing the title song to the movie “Xanadu” from time to time, interspersed with the voice of Bobcat Goldthwait telling me to do unspeakable things to small animals with a Veg-A-Matic. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subject-how-to-open-a-closed-thread-vs-starting-a-new-one-with-the-same-subject/807815/32 "2018-02-02T21:44:53Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > All I hear is a beautiful female voice singing the title song to the movie “Xanadu” from time to time, interspersed with the voice of Bobcat Goldthwait telling me to do unspeakable things to small animals with a Veg-A-Matic. You heard it too? I thought I was hearing things. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subject-how-to-open-a-closed-thread-vs-starting-a-new-one-with-the-same-subject/807815/33 "2018-02-02T21:48:34Z")
On a totally unrelated note…does anyone know where I can get a Veg-A-Matic? ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Quatro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bc8723/32.png) [@Mr\_Quatro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Quatro)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subject-how-to-open-a-closed-thread-vs-starting-a-new-one-with-the-same-subject/807815/34 "2018-02-02T22:13:00Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Fine, [I did it for you](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=20764424). You may talk to yourself over there … the pit is for posters that have done something wrong. I’ve done nothing wrong … I have only petitioned for an old thread: > [@](#): > > [Straight Dope Message Board - Your direct line to thousands of the smartest, hippest people on the planet, plus a few total dipsticks.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/)…=807456&page=4 > Thread " The Democrats will win their election" closed by Bone 01-22-2017, 03:28 PM to be opened. ---
**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:** [February 2, 2018, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subject-how-to-open-a-closed-thread-vs-starting-a-new-one-with-the-same-subject/807815/35 "2018-02-02T22:13:17Z")
> [@Mr\_Quatro](#): > > I can’t prove it to everyone, but if Ed Zotti is the net step in opening the thread then so be it. Yes, the moderators are the first step, then Zotti, then Cecil (the Perfect Master), then God. But you haven’t gotten past the moderators yet, and that looks like a long shot to me.😉 ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Quatro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bc8723/32.png) [@Mr\_Quatro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Quatro)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subject-how-to-open-a-closed-thread-vs-starting-a-new-one-with-the-same-subject/807815/36 "2018-02-02T22:20:06Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Do you see the contradiction in your last statement? No, do you see any vanity? I see vanity in yours: Czarcasm > [@](#): > > All I hear is a beautiful female voice singing the title song to the movie “Xanadu” from time to time, interspersed with the voice of Bobcat Goldthwait telling me to do unspeakable things to small animals with a Veg-A-Matic. Thank you Mr Colibri … you were the first mod I met. So like in the US Navy a person has to go through the chain of command. That move I have already made … I hope a captains mast in not in my future lol ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subject-how-to-open-a-closed-thread-vs-starting-a-new-one-with-the-same-subject/807815/37 "2018-02-02T22:22:46Z")
> [@Mr\_Quatro](#): > > No, do you see any vanity? > > I see vanity in yours: Czarcasm Do you also hear a “wooshing” sound? ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subject-how-to-open-a-closed-thread-vs-starting-a-new-one-with-the-same-subject/807815/38 "2018-02-02T22:25:06Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Yes, the moderators are the first step, then Zotti, then Cecil (the Perfect Master), then God. Don’t tease the guy. You know that the path is moderators–\>Ed Zotti–\>Jake Malooley–\>Alison Draper–\>Jeremy Halbreich–\>God. Oh, and I’ll provide you with the first step, [the contact info for Ed Zotti](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/member.php). I’ll leave finding the contact info for the executives further up the line to you. (Please don’t ban me, Mr. Zotti, sir.) ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subject-how-to-open-a-closed-thread-vs-starting-a-new-one-with-the-same-subject/807815/39 "2018-02-02T22:38:37Z")
Well given how often the people who claim that God is speaking to them claim that he’s telling them unchristian things, we do have somewhat of a reason to be suspicious of anyone who tells us that God talks to them. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subject-how-to-open-a-closed-thread-vs-starting-a-new-one-with-the-same-subject/807815/40 "2018-02-02T22:52:12Z")
> [@Mr\_Quatro](#): > > … the pit is for posters that have done something wrong… Nonsense. Much of the time it’s for people who merely _want_ to do something wrong. Possibly with a Veg-A-Matic. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subject-how-to-open-a-closed-thread-vs-starting-a-new-one-with-the-same-subject/807815.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subject-how-to-open-a-closed-thread-vs-starting-a-new-one-with-the-same-subject/807815.md?page=3)