# The moderation here is getting ridiculously heavy handed **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [July 23, 2014, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-moderation-here-is-getting-ridiculously-heavy-handed/693869 "2014-07-23T19:46:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-moderation-here-is-getting-ridiculously-heavy-handed/693869/101 "2014-07-24T01:10:26Z")
> [@GrandWino](#): > > I feel like you’re participating in a different thread than the rest of us. One that was closed earlier in the week. > > That said, it’s not a fucking riddle. It’s a very common expression that means the most likely explanation is usually the right one. Meaning, you saw hoof prints and assumed it was the unlikely zebra that made them instead of the much more likely horse. …I’m seeing exactly what was written, which is what he was warned for. He wrote words: and is now claiming those words mean something other than what he wrote. The most likely explanation is the words that he posted state exactly what he meant. If the actual explanation is an unlikely one, then either he tells me what it is or he stops calling me out on it. ---
**Author:** ![RaftPeople](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@RaftPeople](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RaftPeople)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-moderation-here-is-getting-ridiculously-heavy-handed/693869/102 "2014-07-24T01:26:38Z")
> [@Banquet\_Bear](#): > > But it doesn’t appear to be well founded. If you think it is then make the case for it and stop just repeating the meme. An observation: You appear to be countering a subjective claim with another subjective claim and claiming your subjective claim trumps the other subjective claim. It seems like both claims would require some data to confirm or deny. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-moderation-here-is-getting-ridiculously-heavy-handed/693869/103 "2014-07-24T01:29:06Z")
> [@RaftPeople](#): > > An observation: > You appear to be countering a subjective claim with another subjective claim and claiming your subjective claim trumps the other subjective claim. > > It seems like both claims would require some data to confirm or deny. The longer that this hijack continues, the more likely it is that this thread will be closed with the hijack as the excuse. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-moderation-here-is-getting-ridiculously-heavy-handed/693869/104 "2014-07-24T01:37:22Z")
> [@Banquet\_Bear](#): > > But it doesn’t appear to be well founded. If you think it is then make the case for it and stop just repeating the meme. What does a complaint being “well-founded” have to do with it? This is the forum to complain about mod actions. If you have a complaint about a mod action, and I (or the mods) believe that it contains logical fallacies, does that mean that it is not well-founded, therefore frivolous, therefore an insult belonging in the Pit, and warnable? ---
**Author:** ![RaftPeople](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@RaftPeople](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RaftPeople)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-moderation-here-is-getting-ridiculously-heavy-handed/693869/105 "2014-07-24T01:38:58Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > The longer that this hijack continues, the more likely it is that this thread will be closed with the hijack as the excuse. Ok, then here are two more observations: 1 - Action against the OP of pit thread=seems valid 2 - Action against the OP of ATMB thread (and other actions)=seems invalid ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Nylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/77aa72/32.png) [@Mr.Nylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Nylock)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-moderation-here-is-getting-ridiculously-heavy-handed/693869/106 "2014-07-24T01:41:35Z")
FWIW, and I know my opinion should be taken with a huge grain of salt because I am a newbie, this board was a lot of fun for me for a while but then I started seeing a lot of stuff like the OP mentions and it really soured me on posting and spending time on the board. This board has been really helpful to me IRL; I was finally able to find a really good real estate agent because of a suggestion given to me by someone on the board for example. Don’t get me wrong, I do appreciate the board for what it is, I still lurk quite a bit but it seems as if there is some sort of board PMS that’s been going on for a while - hopefully it will end soon. Maybe it could be called SDMBPMS. ---
**Author:** ![splatterpunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3be4f8/32.png) [@splatterpunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/splatterpunk)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-moderation-here-is-getting-ridiculously-heavy-handed/693869/107 "2014-07-24T01:46:03Z")
> [@Banquet\_Bear](#): > > …But thats irrelevant. Can you actually make the case? Yes or no? You still don’t get it. The veracity of the claim is irrelevant. Completely. The point is, how can the question be asked? How can one ask about or comment on a poster who seems to get preferential treatment? The answer seems to be that it can’t be done. If asked in ATMB, then it’s a personal insult. If asked (albeit as a parody) in the Pit, then it’s a criticism of Mod actions. That is what this thread is about. ---
**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:** [July 24, 2014, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-moderation-here-is-getting-ridiculously-heavy-handed/693869/108 "2014-07-24T01:56:01Z")
The thread is actually about the warnings given out by Marley today. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-moderation-here-is-getting-ridiculously-heavy-handed/693869/109 "2014-07-24T01:56:08Z")
> [@RaftPeople](#): > > 1 - Action against the OP of pit thread=seems valid I really don’t think it is, especially because Dex specifically told people to take the complaints to the pit. ---
**Author:** ![splatterpunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3be4f8/32.png) [@splatterpunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/splatterpunk)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-moderation-here-is-getting-ridiculously-heavy-handed/693869/110 "2014-07-24T02:02:36Z")
> [@GrandWino](#): > > The thread is actually about the warnings given out by Marley today. Um, yeah, because if there were consistent and coherent rules about what can be posted in each forum and what cannot, there would have been no need for warnings in the first place. ---
**Author:** ![Clockwork\_Jackal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b5e925/32.png) [@Clockwork\_Jackal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clockwork_Jackal)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-moderation-here-is-getting-ridiculously-heavy-handed/693869/111 "2014-07-24T02:03:20Z")
C K Dexter Haven C K Dexter Haven is offline Right Hand of the Master Moderator Join Date: Feb 1999 Location: Chicago north suburb Posts: 15,730 You have received a warning at Straight Dope Message Board Dear Clockwork Jackal, You have received a warning at Straight Dope Message Board. ## Reason: Personal Insults ## You said it, you knew you said it, you anticipated this, so here ya go. – Dex Original Post: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=17574623](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=17574623) Quote: I agree. This is not a frivolous complaint. And if you close this thread, someone will start another. What are you going to do, ban us all? The whole damn board? You mods need to get your shit together because you look like assholes right now. And if that gets me a warning, so be it. Warnings serve as a reminder to you of the forum’s rules, which you are expected to understand and follow. All the best, Straight Dope Message Board What is wrong with the mods that they cannot take any kind of criticism without handing our warnings like candy? What is wrong with this picture? ---
**Author:** ![Clockwork\_Jackal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b5e925/32.png) [@Clockwork\_Jackal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clockwork_Jackal)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-moderation-here-is-getting-ridiculously-heavy-handed/693869/112 "2014-07-24T02:04:44Z")
Have I gotten us off topic? Should I start another thread about how the mods here tend to circle their wagons? I don’t want anyone shutting the thread down because it was “gotten off topic.” ---
**Author:** ![RaftPeople](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@RaftPeople](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RaftPeople)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-moderation-here-is-getting-ridiculously-heavy-handed/693869/113 "2014-07-24T02:04:44Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > I really don’t think it is, especially because Dex specifically told people to take the complaints to the pit. Yes, complaints about posters, but it seems (I’m not following super closely, but I did skim through the threads) that the pit OP implied something about the mods. ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-moderation-here-is-getting-ridiculously-heavy-handed/693869/114 "2014-07-24T02:05:03Z")
> [@splatterpunk](#): > > You still don’t get it. The veracity of the claim is irrelevant. Completely. > > The point is, how can the question be asked? How can one ask about or comment on a poster who seems to get preferential treatment? > > The answer seems to be that it can’t be done. If asked in ATMB, then it’s a personal insult. If asked (albeit as a parody) in the Pit, then it’s a criticism of Mod actions. > > That is what this thread is about. …the question was asked. The thread in GQ was provided as evidence. The moderators provided evidence that they moderated Czarcasm evenly, by showing examples in other threads where Czarcasm was moderated by the moderating team. I showed a thread in GQ, which contained ruder posts than what Czarcasm had posted, and those posts were reported, and were not actioned. No other evidence was provided in that thread showing that Czarcasm is not moderated as other posters have been. Of course the question can be asked. It has been asked. It has been answered. If you think that the moderators are wrong, then I’m sure they would be open for you to provide evidence that they are wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-moderation-here-is-getting-ridiculously-heavy-handed/693869/115 "2014-07-24T02:11:12Z")
> [@jtgain](#): > > What does a complaint being “well-founded” have to do with it? This is the forum to complain about mod actions. If you have a complaint about a mod action, and I (or the mods) believe that it contains logical fallacies, does that mean that it is not well-founded, therefore frivolous, therefore an insult belonging in the Pit, and warnable? …the complaint in the other thread was that Czarcasm is moderated differently. I would suggest if there is no evidence that Czarcasm is moderated differently, that there is nothing to complain about. I would imagine having a well founded complaint would be a pre-requisite to making a complaint in ATMB, otherwise it isn’t a well founded complaint, but an unfounded rant. ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-moderation-here-is-getting-ridiculously-heavy-handed/693869/116 "2014-07-24T02:23:29Z")
…and I’ll be clear again, lest people think I’m taking this off topic. I think the pit thread OP should have been warned, but the other posters didn’t do anything wrong, and the warnings were stupid, and should be rescinded. ---
**Author:** ![Taber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ac91a4/32.png) [@Taber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taber)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-moderation-here-is-getting-ridiculously-heavy-handed/693869/117 "2014-07-24T02:23:57Z")
> [@Clockwork\_Jackal](#): > > C K Dexter Haven C K Dexter Haven is offline > Right Hand of the Master > Moderator > > Join Date: Feb 1999 > Location: Chicago north suburb > Posts: 15,730 > You have received a warning at Straight Dope Message Board > Dear Clockwork Jackal, > > You have received a warning at Straight Dope Message Board. > > ## Reason: > > Personal Insults > > ## You said it, you knew you said it, you anticipated this, so here ya go. – Dex > > Original Post: > [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=17574623](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=17574623) > Quote: > I agree. This is not a frivolous complaint. And if you close this thread, someone will start another. What are you going to do, ban us all? The whole damn board? You mods need to get your shit together because you look like assholes right now. And if that gets me a warning, so be it. > Warnings serve as a reminder to you of the forum’s rules, which you are expected to understand and follow. > > All the best, > Straight Dope Message Board > > What is wrong with the mods that they cannot take any kind of criticism without handing our warnings like candy? > > What is wrong with this picture? Saying they seem like assholes probably crossed the line. As far as today goes, the commenters shouldn’t have been warned, and warning GrandWino for complaining about being warned is particularly egregious. ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-moderation-here-is-getting-ridiculously-heavy-handed/693869/118 "2014-07-24T02:28:23Z")
Are there any mods still around to answer our questions? I’m sorry, **Bear** , but I’d rather appreciate hearing from an authority here at the boards than just another poster. I’m sure you understand. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-moderation-here-is-getting-ridiculously-heavy-handed/693869/119 "2014-07-24T02:40:56Z")
> [@Clockwork\_Jackal](#): > > C K Dexter Haven C K Dexter Haven is offline > Right Hand of the Master > Moderator > > Join Date: Feb 1999 > Location: Chicago north suburb > Posts: 15,730 > You have received a warning at Straight Dope Message Board > Dear Clockwork Jackal, > > You have received a warning at Straight Dope Message Board. > > ## Reason: > > Personal Insults > > ## You said it, you knew you said it, you anticipated this, so here ya go. – Dex > > Original Post: > [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=17574623](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=17574623) > Quote: > I agree. This is not a frivolous complaint. And if you close this thread, someone will start another. What are you going to do, ban us all? The whole damn board? You mods need to get your shit together because you look like assholes right now. And if that gets me a warning, so be it. > Warnings serve as a reminder to you of the forum’s rules, which you are expected to understand and follow. > > All the best, > Straight Dope Message Board > > What is wrong with the mods that they cannot take any kind of criticism without handing our warnings like candy? > > What is wrong with this picture? Nothing wrong with it. You made an insult outside of the Pit. Moderators or not, saying someone looks like an asshole is an insult. ---
**Author:** ![chacoguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/50afbb/32.png) [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-moderation-here-is-getting-ridiculously-heavy-handed/693869/120 "2014-07-24T02:41:12Z")
> [@faithfool](#): > > Are there any mods still around to answer our questions? No, they’re all lurking at Giraffe Boards, where open discussion is still possible. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-moderation-here-is-getting-ridiculously-heavy-handed/693869.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-moderation-here-is-getting-ridiculously-heavy-handed/693869.md?page=7)