# To the Doper stuck in grade 2 (very mild, downright tame) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 6, 2010, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-doper-stuck-in-grade-2-very-mild-downright-tame/531521 "2010-03-06T12:59:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2010, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-doper-stuck-in-grade-2-very-mild-downright-tame/531521/21 "2010-03-06T19:29:54Z")
Look at your lawyer. Now look at me. Now look at your lawyer again. Now _back_ at me. I have reported your post on a horse. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2010, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-doper-stuck-in-grade-2-very-mild-downright-tame/531521/22 "2010-03-06T20:18:37Z")
> [@KarlGauss](#): > > I can’t believe someone ‘told on’ **ZenBeam**. Even if it _was_ a request for legal advice (which anyone with a working brain could see it clearly wasn’t), why would anyone care enough to report it? To ‘taddle’. What business is it of theirs if someone wants to ask for legal advice? Who gives a shit? Would the Boards implode? Who cares if a, relatively minor, thread slips through? And they’re gonna tell on him? Two things: First, it’s “tattle,” not “taddle.” Second, no one gets in trouble for asking for medical or legal advice. Threads that legitimately break these rules are closed, and the poster responsible reminded of the existence of the rule, but barring extraordinary circumstances, they aren’t warned, or even noted in any particular fashion. We have these rules because there is a concern that if someone follows bad legal or medical advice they received from these boards, it might open the boards up to litigation. While I think the risk of that actually happening is pretty small, it would indeed only take one such lawsuit for the boards to “implode.” Our best defense against that is to demonstrate that we have a consistently enforced policy against asking for legal and medical advice, and our efforts in enforcing said policy are aided immeasurably by posters reporting threads that they think are in violation of the rule. ---
**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:** [March 6, 2010, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-doper-stuck-in-grade-2-very-mild-downright-tame/531521/23 "2010-03-06T23:46:08Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Imagine **Cat Whisperer** ’s shock, when later that day she heard on the radio that. . . > > 😛 Oh oh. I understand the Dope’s policy on legal and medical advice, but I’m a firm believer that if you’re stupid enough to make life decisions based on what you read on the internet, you deserve what you get. Unfortunately not all judicial systems are like me. ---
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2010, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-doper-stuck-in-grade-2-very-mild-downright-tame/531521/24 "2010-03-06T23:59:42Z")
> [@Contrapuntal](#): > > The moderators and administrators have said time and time again that they want posters to report threads, posts, etc. that appear to violate board policy, since they cannot be everywhere at once. Everyone hates mods actions until they get to play along. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2010, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-doper-stuck-in-grade-2-very-mild-downright-tame/531521/25 "2010-03-07T00:08:41Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > Two things: > > First, it’s “tattle,” not “taddle.” > > Second, no one gets in trouble for asking for medical or legal advice. Threads that legitimately break these rules are closed, and the poster responsible reminded of the existence of the rule, but barring extraordinary circumstances, they aren’t warned, or even noted in any particular fashion. We have these rules because there is a concern that if someone follows bad legal or medical advice they received from these boards, it might open the boards up to litigation. While I think the risk of that actually happening is pretty small, it would indeed only take one such lawsuit for the boards to “implode.” Our best defense against that is to demonstrate that we have a consistently enforced policy against asking for legal and medical advice, and our efforts in enforcing said policy are aided immeasurably by posters reporting threads that they think are in violation of the rule. Well put, thanks. Hey, while you’re here, is my mind “addled” or “attled”? ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2010, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-doper-stuck-in-grade-2-very-mild-downright-tame/531521/26 "2010-03-07T00:29:07Z")
“Addled.” And you’re welcome. ---
**Author:** ![Enuma\_Elish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5e9695/32.png) [@Enuma\_Elish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enuma_Elish)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2010, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-doper-stuck-in-grade-2-very-mild-downright-tame/531521/27 "2010-03-07T03:55:57Z")
So asking for legal or medical advice doesn’t necessarily lead to getting your butt pattled? Good to know. ---
**Author:** ![Satchmo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/satchmo/32/4223_2.png) [@Satchmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Satchmo)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2010, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-doper-stuck-in-grade-2-very-mild-downright-tame/531521/28 "2010-03-07T04:28:47Z")
> [@Contrapuntal](#): > > Lets say that I report a thread that is absolutely rock solid not in need of reporting. What’s the harm? The mod will look at it, decide to do nothing, and life will go on. Oh, that’s a paddlin’! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2010, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-doper-stuck-in-grade-2-very-mild-downright-tame/531521/29 "2010-03-08T07:44:55Z")
> [@Satchmo](#): > > Oh, that’s a paddlin’! > 😉 No, it’s a **pattlin’**. Try to keep up. ---
**Author:** ![Sapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2010, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-doper-stuck-in-grade-2-very-mild-downright-tame/531521/30 "2010-03-08T19:26:27Z")
> [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > Look at your lawyer. Now look at me. Now look at your lawyer again. Now _back_ at me. I have reported your post on a horse. That’s the stupidest ad ever aired on TV. Ever! ---
**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:** [March 8, 2010, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-doper-stuck-in-grade-2-very-mild-downright-tame/531521/31 "2010-03-08T20:02:55Z")
> [@Sapo](#): > > That’s the stupidest ad ever aired on TV. Ever! Yeah, but he’s on a horse! ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2010, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-doper-stuck-in-grade-2-very-mild-downright-tame/531521/32 "2010-03-08T20:09:10Z")
> [@Sapo](#): > > That’s the stupidest ad ever aired on TV. Ever! You’re only mad because you’re not him. And you’re not on a horse. ---
**Author:** ![Sapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2010, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-doper-stuck-in-grade-2-very-mild-downright-tame/531521/33 "2010-03-09T17:21:33Z")
Actually, the horse part is kinda funny. Even if just for weirdness sake. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2010, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-doper-stuck-in-grade-2-very-mild-downright-tame/531521/34 "2010-03-11T19:59:34Z")
> [@Sapo](#): > > That’s the stupidest ad ever aired on TV. Ever! What the hell are you, a robot? I laughed so hard I almost cried. ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2010, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-doper-stuck-in-grade-2-very-mild-downright-tame/531521/35 "2010-03-11T20:43:40Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > And I think it’s a cautionary tale about how people should read the OP, and not just the title, of a thread before responding to it—or reporting it. That may be true, but the O.P. is way off base here. A cross section of dopers would show just about every profession, nationality, age and intelligence. We have several dopers under 18 who may not be the smartest people in the world, but they make great contributions to the board. **KarlGauss** doesn’t need to be pitting a doper because the student’s teacher is making him repeat the second grade. The kid’s probably got enough self esteem problems as it is. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2010, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-doper-stuck-in-grade-2-very-mild-downright-tame/531521/36 "2010-03-11T20:53:08Z")
> [@A Monkey With a Gun](#): > > **KarlGauss** doesn’t need to be pitting a doper because the student’s teacher is making him repeat the second grade. The kid’s probably got enough self esteem problems as it is. I’m laughing so hard my stomach hurts. ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2010, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-doper-stuck-in-grade-2-very-mild-downright-tame/531521/37 "2010-03-11T20:56:29Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > … there is a concern that if someone follows bad legal or medical advice they received from these boards, it might open the boards up to litigation. While I think the risk of that actually happening is pretty small… So if I read this post, I will take it as advice that I should never ever ever never ever use any information from this board (or any other) to guide a medical or legal decision. But if I ignore a post which tells me I need to see my doctor, I am actually following your advice, and then I can get really sick and litigate against the the boards, suing them and you personally and causing the SDMB to “implode.” Wow, that’s great. You can expect to hear from my lawyer any day now. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2010, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-doper-stuck-in-grade-2-very-mild-downright-tame/531521/38 "2010-03-11T21:01:44Z")
> [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > Look at your lawyer. Now look at me. Now look at your lawyer again. Now _back_ at me. I have reported your post on a horse. Reported for confusing me. ---
**Author:** ![Rain\_Soaked](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e19adc/32.png) [@Rain\_Soaked](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rain_Soaked)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2010, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-doper-stuck-in-grade-2-very-mild-downright-tame/531521/39 "2010-03-11T21:45:24Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > Reported for confusing me. In case you really are [confused](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owGykVbfgUE). ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2010, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-doper-stuck-in-grade-2-very-mild-downright-tame/531521/40 "2010-03-11T22:32:08Z")
I was really confused, then someone else PMed me to clear things up. Now I’m doubly unconfused. I still reported her, though, for making me Google to no avail. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-doper-stuck-in-grade-2-very-mild-downright-tame/531521.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-doper-stuck-in-grade-2-very-mild-downright-tame/531521.md?page=3)