# The Straight Dope, Long As You Toe The Line **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 4, 2001, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-long-as-you-toe-the-line/79594 "2001-09-04T00:40:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![tiny\_ham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@tiny\_ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiny_ham)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2001, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-long-as-you-toe-the-line/79594/83 "2001-09-06T20:19:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Clare Ashworth \* > \*\*Well, I hope you all have it out of your systems now! Esprix’s derogatory remarks about Brits, and Spoofe’s toilet metaphors are bizarre in the extreme. > What odd, dysfunctional people they must be. \*\* Well of course, I mean, confidentially, Esprix is _GAY_, after all. jarbaby ---
**Author:** ![John\_Corrado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a88e4f/32.png) [@John\_Corrado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Corrado)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2001, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-long-as-you-toe-the-line/79594/84 "2001-09-06T20:28:00Z")
It’s even worse than that. I hear that both he _and_ Spoofe are… [sub]Trekkies![/sub] ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2001, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-long-as-you-toe-the-line/79594/85 "2001-09-06T20:51:45Z")
> [@](#): > > Spoofe’s toilet metaphors are bizarre in the extreme. Get used to it. > [@](#): > > I hear that both he _and_ Spoofe are… Trekkies! _ **YOU TAKE THAT BACK, YOU SLOBBERING PILE OF OOZING TESTICULAR BOILS!** _ ---
**Author:** ![John\_Corrado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a88e4f/32.png) [@John\_Corrado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Corrado)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2001, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-long-as-you-toe-the-line/79594/86 "2001-09-06T20:57:31Z")
Ack! No, wait, Spoofe’s a _Star Wars_ afficianado! That’s right! Ack! My apologies! I burn for my heresy! ---
**Author:** ![manhattan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manhattan/32/7_2.png) [@manhattan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manhattan)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2001, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-long-as-you-toe-the-line/79594/87 "2001-09-06T21:00:38Z")
That’s Trekk_ers_, **Corrado** , and don’t you forget it. Or we’ll, uh, phaser you or something. OK, just to officially respond to the OP: > [@](#): > > You resent that I’ve not ‘studied the threads’? No I don’t. I simply suggest that you do so – your stay here will be so much happier. > [@](#): > > What is it you fear I will do again? Impugn (yes, that is a word) your dignity? I fear you will ruin your stay here. Longime members will note that I have no dignity to lose! > [@](#): > > I have never met a moderator who was such a control freak as you are. You seem absolutely unable to handle anyone expressing an opinion different from your own. You are wrong about the second part, at least. 😉 I simply want you to express it in the appropriate forum. You see, our customers count on me and the other mods to make their experience here as pleasant as possible. In the case of GQ, that means keeping all the politics, nonsense and flames out of the forum and off where we have created other forums specifically for that purpose. You wouldn’t start making out in a business meeting, or talking religion at a birthday party, right? Everything in its place? > [@](#): > > I imagine you are either very young, or very immature. If you are neither, then may the Gods help you. Darlin’, I drink Scotch older than you. And there ain’t no Gods, but that belongs in Great Debates. Your first post, about the digestive system, was a really good one. I’d encourage you to take another crack at it. You can post just about anything here, as long as it’s in the right place. How about taking my suggestion – spend some time getting the feel for the place and trying again. Betcha you’ll have a lot of fun here! ---
**Author:** ![Akatsukami](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ea666f/32.png) [@Akatsukami](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akatsukami)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2001, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-long-as-you-toe-the-line/79594/88 "2001-09-06T21:10:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jarbabyj \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by Clare Ashworth \* > > \*\*Well, I hope you all have it out of your systems now! Esprix’s derogatory remarks about Brits, and Spoofe’s toilet metaphors are bizarre in the extreme. > > What odd, dysfunctional people they must be. \*\* > > Well of course, I mean, confidentially, Esprix is _GAY_, after all. > > jarbaby \*\* He _is_? :eek: Great balls of fire, why didn’t we know this _before_ now? ---
**Author:** ![Esprix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprix/32/7899_2.png) [@Esprix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprix)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2001, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-long-as-you-toe-the-line/79594/89 "2001-09-06T21:24:19Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by **Clare Ashworth** _ > > Esprix’s derogatory remarks about Brits, and Spoofe’s toilet metaphors are bizarre in the extreme. > What odd, dysfunctional people they must be. It’s called a “hijack” - look it up. (Oh, no, wait - you don’t know how to do that, and that’s what got you in trouble in the first place. :rolleyes: ) And gay Trekkers are the _worst_, let me tell ya… Esprix ---
**Author:** ![Clare\_Ashworth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9dc877/32.png) [@Clare\_Ashworth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clare_Ashworth)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2001, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-long-as-you-toe-the-line/79594/90 "2001-09-06T21:40:57Z")
Well, Manhattan, thank you for your rather kinder comments to me. I’m sure I could potentially have a lot of fun here, but would it be fair comment to say that I get the impression that the ‘old guard’ can get away with much more in the way of ‘flaming’, etc., than others of us? I only ask… ---
**Author:** ![manhattan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manhattan/32/7_2.png) [@manhattan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manhattan)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2001, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-long-as-you-toe-the-line/79594/91 "2001-09-06T21:46:28Z")
Nope. In fairness, though, some of the longer-term members tend to be better at it because through experience they know what we allow and what we don’t. But the rules are the same for everyone. No personal insults outside the Pit. No politics or whatnot in GQ. Play nice in MPSIMS. And the reason I was curt in GQ was because of your “I will fight back” bullshit. I hope you do stick around. But my comments stand. Inflict any more of that nonsense on our GQ customers, and you’re gone. Hope that helps. ---
**Author:** ![Clare\_Ashworth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9dc877/32.png) [@Clare\_Ashworth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clare_Ashworth)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2001, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-long-as-you-toe-the-line/79594/92 "2001-09-06T22:06:50Z")
I take your points of course. But you drink Scotch older than I am? (Meant to say this before). I would throw it away then, if I were you! Clare. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2001, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-long-as-you-toe-the-line/79594/93 "2001-09-06T22:31:59Z")
> [@](#): > > I would throw it away then, if I were you! Last year I shared a bottle of ~70 year old Glenmorangie. I’d sooner have sold my son to a circus than have thrown that away. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2001, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-long-as-you-toe-the-line/79594/94 "2001-09-06T23:39:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Esprix \* > Fuckin’ Brits! Learn how to spell! > > Esprix But I’m from NY Esprix darling. Just being out of the States for so long has changed me English. Actually I suspect I have one of the most fucked up mangy curs of an idiolect this side of … I dunno, ask Matt-mcl. Besides, I like whingeing as a word. Better than whining. And I still say ban the stupid whingeing irony impaired twit. We already are plagued with too many. Too fucking lenient here (and I don’t exclude me from getting stomped on either). ---
**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:** [September 7, 2001, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-long-as-you-toe-the-line/79594/95 "2001-09-07T00:21:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Collounsbury \* > \*\* > Too fucking lenient here (and I don’t exclude me from getting stomped on either). \*\* Dammit, **Collounsbury**! I have been holding off saying this for too long. I can stand it no longer! It’s “I wish I _were_ a cheesemaker.” “I wish I WERE a cheesemaker.” “I wish I _ **WERE** _ a fucking cheesemaker.” I think we should ban all you subjunctive-impaired bastards! Whew. I’m glad I got that out of my system. 😃 (This is not to imply I am not sympathetic to your sentiments regarding the OP.) ---
**Author:** ![seawitch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@seawitch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seawitch)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2001, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-long-as-you-toe-the-line/79594/96 "2001-09-07T00:28:21Z")
That’s odd, **Colibri** , because I wish **Collunsbury** WAS a cheesemaker. Don’t you? ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2001, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-long-as-you-toe-the-line/79594/97 "2001-09-07T00:52:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Colibri \* > \*\*Dammit, **Collounsbury**! > > I have been holding off saying this for too long. I can stand it no longer! > > It’s “I wish I _were_ a cheesemaker.” > > “I wish I WERE a cheesemaker.” > > “I wish I _ **WERE** _ a fucking cheesemaker.” > > I think we should ban all you subjunctive-impaired bastards! > \*\* Not necessarily. There are two different types of subjunctive here, whose names escape me. The statement expressing a condition contrary to fact would be “I wish I were a cheesemaker.” If, on the other hand, he’s not commenting on whether he’s a cheesemaker or not, the form he uses now is proper. I wish I had my copy of the _Elements of Grammar_ so I could give the proper names. ---
**Author:** ![Dijon\_Warlock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a9a28c/32.png) [@Dijon\_Warlock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dijon_Warlock)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2001, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-long-as-you-toe-the-line/79594/98 "2001-09-07T01:15:15Z")
I eat cheese for breakfast. (…and I thought “Manhattan the Moderator” was some strange bumper sticker, like “Nuke the Whales” or “Ban the Bomb”…but obviously not both…which would be contradictory…) > [@](#): > > _Originally posted by **RTFirefly:** _ > > **Why don’t adult toy stores sell hot pretzels? I just can’t figure it out…** Why doesn’t someone name their adult toy store “The Hot Pretzel”? I’d shop there just to say I did. ---
**Author:** ![jmonster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/dbc845/32.png) [@jmonster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jmonster)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2001, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-long-as-you-toe-the-line/79594/99 "2001-09-07T15:21:24Z")
Why didn’t the mods just **move** the threads from GQ to MPSIMS? ---
**Author:** ![tiny\_ham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@tiny\_ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiny_ham)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2001, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-long-as-you-toe-the-line/79594/100 "2001-09-07T15:32:13Z")
IANAM, but I think it was because we’re generally not supposed to start threads with OPs that are personal messages for people. Clare was restarting conversations from other threads that were already locked. I don’t think they were locked with any sort of rancor, just because they were a waste of space. jarbaby ---
**Author:** ![Tansu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/67e7ee/32.png) [@Tansu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tansu)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2001, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-long-as-you-toe-the-line/79594/101 "2001-09-07T15:41:09Z")
For one thing, moving threads ties up the server for longer than closing them does. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2001, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-long-as-you-toe-the-line/79594/102 "2001-09-07T15:47:20Z")
Though I’ve enjoyed many of the tongue-in-cheek replies to this thread, I have one question to ask. Am I the only one here who agrees that, in order to do their job effectively, the mods need to have the power that they do? And that 19 times out of 20, their actions, whether closing threads or banning people, are more than justified? No, I don’t have a problem with the moderators. The ones I can’t stand are the ordinary members who take it on themselves to be little fascist vigilante cops, and lay into any other member who questions what the moderators do. I propose a new rule: anytime anyone wants to question a moderator’s action, let them post a thread, and…this is the new part…let ONLY moderators reply. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-long-as-you-toe-the-line/79594.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-long-as-you-toe-the-line/79594.md?page=6)