# The non-offensive version of soulfrost's "Madam, I must protest" **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [August 8, 2011, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-non-offensive-version-of-soulfrosts-madam-i-must-protest/591913 "2011-08-08T04:01:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![NineToTheSky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5a626/32.png) [@NineToTheSky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NineToTheSky)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2011, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-non-offensive-version-of-soulfrosts-madam-i-must-protest/591913/61 "2011-08-08T15:58:07Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > He wanted to be banned. He made that abundantly clear and he acted on it. I appreciate the consideration you’re showing here and I know nobody likes seeing longtime posters banned precipitously, but he made it clear he wanted to be escorted out of here to prove a point. We gave him a chance to step back from the edge and didn’t provoke him, and he didn’t want to take the opportunity. I think we try to be respectful of people who’ve been here a long time, but we’re not obliged to tell people “you don’t really mean that” when they’re committed to being banned because of one injustice or another. I don’t think there’s much else to say about this except to point out you’re showing more concern about **SoulFrost** ’s participation here than he did. Like any banned poster, he can ask for reinstatement if he wants it. OK. Fair enough. Thank you for the explanation. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2011, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-non-offensive-version-of-soulfrosts-madam-i-must-protest/591913/62 "2011-08-08T15:58:57Z")
> [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](#): > > . We have disagreed, we have convinced a mod to reverse a decision. Why do you have to convince a mod to reverse an obviously bad decision? Why not just say “You blew it, dude. Change the call.” You can do it behind the scenes or whatever–but if you insist on the mod that screwed it up to agree, you will never right certain glaring errors–like this one. ---
**Author:** ![Ostrya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/35a633/32.png) [@Ostrya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ostrya)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2011, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-non-offensive-version-of-soulfrosts-madam-i-must-protest/591913/63 "2011-08-08T16:05:23Z")
I don’t know, Marley. I rarely disagree with you, but in this case am with the crowd who supports a suspension rather than a ban, for reasons already pointed out. I think the bottom line is he taunted tuba, made her angry. I think her disappearing his offensive thread is evidence enough for that. She then made thread reappear after she cooled down. I wish she would go a step further, turn ban into 30 day suspension, let the guy come back if he wants and then see what happens. He’s been a good contributor, basically up until this fiasco. When you say he wanted to be banned, how can you differentiate between his wanting to be banned, and simply being very angry and frustrated over all of this? A suspension of 30 days would allow plenty of time for situation to quell. I do not have the opinion he, or anyone, should be above rule breaking or etiquette within reason. But this is also why I think a suspension more suitable, rather than this final permanent blow. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2011, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-non-offensive-version-of-soulfrosts-madam-i-must-protest/591913/64 "2011-08-08T16:11:19Z")
> [@the lone cashew](#): > > When you say he wanted to be banned, how can you differentiate between his wanting to be banned, and simply being very angry and frustrated over all of this? When he said “ban me”? What’s more patronizing: taking someone at their word, or saying “You don’t really mean that, we know you’re just upset”? ---
**Author:** ![Ostrya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/35a633/32.png) [@Ostrya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ostrya)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2011, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-non-offensive-version-of-soulfrosts-madam-i-must-protest/591913/65 "2011-08-08T16:18:30Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > When he said “ban me”? People might say “ban me” due to being upset. > [@](#): > > What’s more patronizing: taking someone at their word, or saying “You don’t really mean that, we know you’re just upset”? Nothing need be said. And regarding the misconduct, suspension would have been more reasonable option, esp for a long time contributor like Soul Frost. ---
**Author:** ![NineToTheSky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5a626/32.png) [@NineToTheSky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NineToTheSky)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2011, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-non-offensive-version-of-soulfrosts-madam-i-must-protest/591913/66 "2011-08-08T16:18:49Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > When he said “ban me”? > > What’s more patronizing: taking someone at their word, or saying “You don’t really mean that, we know you’re just upset”? I don’t see the latter as being patronizing. It may just be the truth. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2011, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-non-offensive-version-of-soulfrosts-madam-i-must-protest/591913/67 "2011-08-08T16:32:33Z")
> [@the lone cashew](#): > > I think the bottom line is he taunted tuba, made her angry. You’re implying **TubaDiva** banned him on her own in a fit of pique, and she did not. She asked the rest of us how to handle it, which is how we handle all bans of longtime members. Most of the staffers who responded agreed it was time to ban him. She did hide the thread, but she made the right decision in moving it back a couple of hours later. I don’t think any harm was done there. > [@](#): > > When you say he wanted to be banned, how can you differentiate between his wanting to be banned, and simply being very angry and frustrated over all of this? I think I answered that earlier: one post saying ‘ban me’ is anger and frustration, and we let that post go. We almost always ignore posts like that. They’re not that uncommon. A couple of posts (over a period of almost two days) is suicide by mod. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2011, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-non-offensive-version-of-soulfrosts-madam-i-must-protest/591913/68 "2011-08-08T16:39:55Z")
The interesting part is where you’d rather see posters want to be protest banned than acknowledge poor decision making. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2011, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-non-offensive-version-of-soulfrosts-madam-i-must-protest/591913/69 "2011-08-08T16:53:47Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > She did hide the thread, but she made the right decision in moving it back a couple of hours later. I don’t think any harm was done there. You kind of glossed over this part. Why did she hide the thread? “No harm was done.” Did you not see what thread you’re posting in which was a direct result of **Diva’s** actions? > [@Darth\_Panda](#): > > The interesting part is where you’d rather see posters want to be protest banned than acknowledge poor decision making. It is sad that SoulFrost’s banning completely was in vain. It just makes the administration look petty and vengeful…much like how this entire incident started. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2011, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-non-offensive-version-of-soulfrosts-madam-i-must-protest/591913/70 "2011-08-08T16:58:03Z")
> [@Red\_Barchetta](#): > > You kind of glossed over this part. Why did she hide the thread? She probably felt (with some justification) that it was trolling, and that it was abusive to an extent we don’t allow in ATMB. > [@](#): > > “No harm was done.” Did you not see what thread you’re posting in which was a direct result of **Diva’s** actions? Yes, I realize that, and no, I don’t think it counts as harm. The original thread was locked anyway (which was a better move), so any discussion would have happened in a new thread anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2011, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-non-offensive-version-of-soulfrosts-madam-i-must-protest/591913/71 "2011-08-08T17:02:10Z")
> [@the lone cashew](#): > > Nothing need be said. And regarding the misconduct, suspension would have been more reasonable option, esp for a long time contributor like Soul Frost. Again, that assumes he wanted to hang around in good faith. Sure didn’t look like it. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2011, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-non-offensive-version-of-soulfrosts-madam-i-must-protest/591913/72 "2011-08-08T17:05:36Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > Again, that assumes he wanted to hang around in good faith. Sure didn’t look like it. We have no idea what SoulFrost actually thought, only what he said. Here is what happened: A 12-year posting history brought was brought to a halt by three relatively tame posts. Had they been allowed to have been posted in the pit, \*\*SoulFrost’s \*\*thread would have been laughed out of there for being too reserved. ---
**Author:** ![Ostrya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/35a633/32.png) [@Ostrya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ostrya)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2011, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-non-offensive-version-of-soulfrosts-madam-i-must-protest/591913/73 "2011-08-08T17:18:02Z")
Okay, have nothing more to say about this. Marley, I appreciate your responses. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2011, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-non-offensive-version-of-soulfrosts-madam-i-must-protest/591913/74 "2011-08-08T17:41:07Z")
> [@Red\_Barchetta](#): > > We have no idea what SoulFrost actually thought, only what he said. Exactly. Which is why I’m puzzled at the people saying he would cool off if the mods only gave him a suspension. What he said is at odds with that. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2011, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-non-offensive-version-of-soulfrosts-madam-i-must-protest/591913/75 "2011-08-08T17:42:43Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > Exactly. Which is why I’m puzzled at the people saying he would cool off if the mods only gave him a suspension. What he said is at odds with that. Because people sometimes say things they don’t mean when they’re pissed off, perhaps? The mods claim to have wanted him to “cool down” but it’s clear they did not allow for adequate time. Let me reiterate: a poster with a 12-year history was banned without a single warning over the span of three mild rants. Did he break the rules? Sure. Was it ban worthy? Hardly. Is the board better for it? No. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2011, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-non-offensive-version-of-soulfrosts-madam-i-must-protest/591913/76 "2011-08-08T17:50:58Z")
> [@Red\_Barchetta](#): > > \ > It is sad that SoulFrost’s banning completely was in vain. It just makes the administration look petty and vengeful…much like how this entire incident started. Agreed. > [@Red\_Barchetta](#): > > \ > Here is what happened: A 12-year posting history brought was brought to a halt by three relatively tame posts. Had they been allowed to have been posted in the pit, \*\*SoulFrost’s \*\*thread would have been laughed out of there for being too reserved. Agreed. I can’t fault the mods for banning **SoulFrost** when he all but begged them to do so; I can and do fault them for the ham-handed handling of the IMHO thread and the resultant fallout (which appears to be currently spawning a rule that is about as stupid as the rules about language in the Pit) which prompted his death-by-mod. Most of the time I agree with the mods and admins here and wouldn’t want their jobs for a LOT of money, but every once in a while they come up with some real clunkers for rules, and no discussion in a poll thread if requested by the OP appears to be another one. ---
**Author:** ![shijinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@shijinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shijinn)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2011, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-non-offensive-version-of-soulfrosts-madam-i-must-protest/591913/77 "2011-08-08T18:13:09Z")
rules should be kept simple - don’t be a jerk. which is worse? not reading intervening posts in a poll where the OP asked for polls sans opinions or, creating a new rule on the fly and handing out several warnings just as suddenly? ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2011, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-non-offensive-version-of-soulfrosts-madam-i-must-protest/591913/78 "2011-08-08T18:15:50Z")
> [@Red\_Barchetta](#): > > Because people sometimes say things they don’t mean when they’re pissed off, perhaps? Shall I just let you argue with yourself, then? > [@Red\_Barchetta](#): > > We have no idea what SoulFrost actually thought, only what he said. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2011, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-non-offensive-version-of-soulfrosts-madam-i-must-protest/591913/79 "2011-08-08T18:17:29Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > Shall I just let you argue with yourself, then? Did you not see the “perhaps” part of my question? ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2011, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-non-offensive-version-of-soulfrosts-madam-i-must-protest/591913/80 "2011-08-08T18:25:07Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > Exactly. Which is why I’m puzzled at the people saying he would cool off if the mods only gave him a suspension. What he said is at odds with that. How about this: even when posters say outrageous things, up until now the penalty has been warnings-\>supensions-\>(optional, depending on God knows what criteria) more suspensions/warnings-\>banning. Even for people advocating baby rape all the hell over the place in totally unrelated threads, that progression of penalties held firm. A guy who’s SDMB career is based on advocating killing all Jews is currently following this progression. But one guy with a 12 year history and an (apparently) otherwise clean record gets pissy with the mods twice in ~24 hours and he’s instabanned. So: baby-rape and genocide gets you warnings and suspensions. Being pissy with the mods gets you insta-banned. What’s wrong with this picture? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-non-offensive-version-of-soulfrosts-madam-i-must-protest/591913.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-non-offensive-version-of-soulfrosts-madam-i-must-protest/591913.md?page=5)