# Touching a nerve **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [November 21, 2016, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/touching-a-nerve/772684 "2016-11-21T22:17:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2016, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/touching-a-nerve/772684/21 "2016-11-22T12:32:59Z")
I appreciate all the comments and feedback. I’m ready to be done with this, I think one thing we can all agree on is there are far more important things in life than this. Thanks all for your insights. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2016, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/touching-a-nerve/772684/22 "2016-11-22T13:45:09Z")
> [@Patx2](#): > > I think one thing we can all agree on is there are far more important things in life than this. Please. Do not speak for me. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2016, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/touching-a-nerve/772684/23 "2016-11-22T14:00:56Z")
I’ll let you touch my nerve if you’ll let me touch yours… ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2016, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/touching-a-nerve/772684/24 "2016-11-22T14:48:51Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > This seems to me an odd interpretation. Imo, the only person overreacting here is OP, who has started an ATMB thread because he’s “ass-hurt” that some people thought both his pro-Pence/Trump RO thesis and his level of discourse were weak sauce. I agree this thread seems like an overreaction, but he didn’t start a thread here-- it got move here. And his OP was not “pro Trump” or “pro Pence”. I think you overreacted a bit and assumed he was a Trump supporter because he didn’t see things the way you do. Cut the guy some slack, as he’s new here and trying to understand the culture. If he comes out as an actual Trump supporter in a GD thread, let him have it. 🙂 But this was IMHO, remember. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2016, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/touching-a-nerve/772684/25 "2016-11-22T15:17:19Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > …If he comes out as an actual Trump supporter… Well, I wasn’t just guessing OP’s sympathetic view of Trump, if not an actual supporter, I don’t know: > [@Stop being the expert \[famous people and political views\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-being-the-expert-famous-people-and-political-views/772543/19): > > …And, before anyone starts screaming what does Trump know? He won didn’t he?.. > [@Stop being the expert \[famous people and political views\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-being-the-expert-famous-people-and-political-views/772543/31): > > Yes, no political experience, but experience putting teams together and getting things done which I think is part of the reason he won. Also, from what I hear and read, he seemed to touch on issues like jobs, healthcare for instance that many Americans are very concerned about. So, he wasn’t always just mouthing off, he actually touched a nerve with some voters and people want to know their concerns are being heard. The thread was almost self-parody. A suggestion that unqualified media personalities should not speak out about politics, when we just elected an unqualified media personality as President; and in the predictable ensuing snark and sarcasm a butthurt claim that people were overreacting. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2016, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/touching-a-nerve/772684/26 "2016-11-22T15:32:58Z")
It’s not really appropriate to have a debate about the topic of that thread here, so let me just say this: you used the term “weak sauce” earlier, and using that quote to prove the guy is “pro-Trump” is not only weak sauce, but it also wasn’t part of his OP, either. We get our share of newbie trolls here-- you’ll get no argument about that from me. But I don’t think the OP has lived up to that reputation yet, so let’s cut him some slack until and unless he does. Would that be too much to ask? ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2016, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/touching-a-nerve/772684/27 "2016-11-22T17:28:37Z")
And I have never suggested that OP is a troll, so I guess it’s fair to characterize that as weak sauce too? OP started two IMHO threads (including this one, transferred), and I participated and gave my opinion. OP said at #21 here that he wanted to drop it, after which you felt the need to continue the discussion with comments addressed to me. But I will be more than happy to respect OP’s wishes and drop this now. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2016, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/touching-a-nerve/772684/28 "2016-11-22T18:14:38Z")
> [@Patx2](#): > > I appreciate all the comments and feedback. I’m ready to be done with this, I think one thing we can all agree on is there are far more important things in life than this. Thanks all for your insights. Voice of experience: be careful about telling or suggesting what people should or should not post, or you may be accused of “junior modding.” Best to just stop reading this thread. ---
**Author:** ![watchwolf49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9c0ed/32.png) [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2016, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/touching-a-nerve/772684/29 "2016-11-22T18:28:19Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > [snip] … **watchwolf49** , do you disagree with **Princhester** ’s comment (I made a similar one in the thread, but less eloquently, so I quoted his)? Because you said above: [_Ed._ - “…The “I’ve touched a nerve” gambit is IME invariably used to imply that there is some sensitivity of the listener that has caused them to (over)react, but in reality the speaker has said something idiotic or obnoxious, and it is that (rather than any sensitivity of the listener) which has caused the listener to react strongly…”] Considering this in isolation, I only agree 50% … and then only if we change “idiotic or obnoxious” to “patently insensitive” … this is a two edged sword … we have an abundance of both insensitive peoples and oversensitive peoples in human societies … nerves get touched all the time … hang out in a Glasgow tavern some Friday night … In context, and as a comment … then I think **Princhester** is out-of-line with the “idiotic or obnoxious” characterization … that’s just his opinion and not fact … he should have stated it as opinion … he sounds butthurt that the OP doesn’t agree with his political opinion … which leads me to … As an argument to the OP … it’s strictly a strawman … **Princhester** has no argument to the OP, so he argues about something the OP _didn’t_ say … the correct argument is more along the lines of “Whoever trusts Tom Cruise’s opinion about Chinese trade deals deserves to have their toaster catch fire and burn two weeks after they bought it” … or whatever … **Princhester** confuses the political opinion expressed with the context of expressing the political opinion … > [@Riemann](#): > > This seems to me an odd interpretation. Imo, the only person overreacting here is OP, who has started an ATMB thread because he’s “ass-hurt” that some people thought both his pro-Pence/Trump RO thesis and his level of discourse were weak sauce. Strawman … The OP believed he had been reported for disciplinary actions … _this_ thread in ATMB is about why this is against the rules … and why the OP was reported … The OP in _this_ thread is devoid of any political references of any kind … it is you who brings the “pro-Pence/Trump RO thesis” to _this_ discussion … which is completely beside the point that the OP was reported for forum change … not rules violations … ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2016, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/touching-a-nerve/772684/30 "2016-11-22T18:38:16Z")
> [@Patx2](#): > > I appreciate all the comments and feedback. I’m ready to be done with this, I think one thing we can all agree on is there are far more important things in life than this. Thanks all for your insights. You have to understand, **Patx2** , that for some people _nothing_ is more important in life than chastising someone who is wrong on the internet. (In their opinion of course, and thank you xkcd.) ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2016, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/touching-a-nerve/772684/31 "2016-11-22T19:22:42Z")
> [@watchwolf49](#): > > Strawman … > > The OP believed he had been reported for disciplinary actions … _this_ thread in ATMB is about why this is against the rules … and why the OP was reported … > > The OP in _this_ thread is devoid of any political references of any kind … it is you who brings the “pro-Pence/Trump RO thesis” to _this_ discussion … which is completely beside the point that the OP was reported for forum change … not rules violations … No, I suggest you re-read the OP above. Only the last of the four paragraphs mentions reporting - I have no idea about that, I was not involved. But in the first three paragraphs above, the OP is questioning why he got the reaction he did in that prior thread - including from me, specifically, although OP is confusing two different interlocutors, I think. I’m not trying to re-hash that thread _per se_ in ATMB, but I can hardly answer without reference to my view of the nature of the conversation that thread. But, again, are we going to accede to the OP’s wishes and let this go now, or not? I’m quite happy to, if others are, but I’ll respond to critical comments directed at me. ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2016, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/touching-a-nerve/772684/32 "2016-11-22T21:38:07Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Voice of experience: be careful about telling or suggesting what people should or should not post, or you may be accused of “junior modding.” Best to just stop reading this thread. I had a feeling as I submitted that people would think I was trying to speak for everyone. I was in a rush, having to get out the door for work and I figured obviously I have no authority to put a thread to bed. What I meant was, I’m done but of course anyone that would like to discuss should by all means do what works for them. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/touching-a-nerve/772684/33 "2016-11-23T22:09:09Z")
> [@Patx2](#): > > What I meant was, I’m done but of course anyone that would like to discuss should by all means do what works for them. But it would be so petty of them with all the important things there are in life, right? Thanks for the permission, though. Nah, there are no hidden meanings in anything you say. I’m also not buying that you thought your “touched a nerve” comment was meant as a synonymous statement to “pissed you off.” When followed by your comment about being a friend of George, Riemann hit the nail on the head regarding what you meant by it. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/touching-a-nerve/772684/34 "2016-11-23T22:35:08Z")
> [@x-ray\_vision](#): > > But it would be so petty of them with all the important things there are in life, right? Thanks for the permission, though. Nah, there are no hidden meanings in anything you say. > > I’m also not buying that you thought your “touched a nerve” comment was meant as a synonymous statement to “pissed you off.” When followed by your comment about being a friend of George, Riemann hit the nail on the head regarding what you meant by it. Patx2, see what I mean? ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/touching-a-nerve/772684/35 "2016-11-23T23:09:27Z")
You’re soooooo smart, ThelmaLou. And gee willikers, I’m really being sincere right there. Really! ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2016, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/touching-a-nerve/772684/36 "2016-11-24T00:21:28Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Patx2, see what I mean? 😂 I really have to laugh, my goodness, I’ve never caused such a stir in my life! ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2016, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/touching-a-nerve/772684/37 "2016-11-24T00:26:19Z")
> [@x-ray\_vision](#): > > You’re soooooo smart, ThelmaLou. And gee willikers, I’m really being sincere right there. Really! I know you are. You fairly reek of sincerity. Really! ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2016, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/touching-a-nerve/772684/38 "2016-11-24T03:29:59Z")
**Moderator Action** I think the on-topic part of this has been addressed well enough, and since some folks are pushing past the line of what’s acceptable here in ATMB I think it’s best just to close this now. If anyone has a compelling reason to re-open it, send me a PM and I’ll consider it. Thread closed. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/touching-a-nerve/772684.md?page=1)