As I understand it, he created a link to a site that sold images that are considered pornographic.
An attempt to advertise & market goods on the SD site without paying the advertising fees that keep the site on-line; AND an attempt to market goods that * would cause The Straight Dope Website to come under justifiable criticism & probable legal hassles to boot* seems to be an acceptable reason to ban a poster.
If this was an accident, I hope he will be back soon.
None of the above remarks reflect any personal opinions that I may have of C#3-positive or negative.
OK, I’m trying my best to stay out of the fray here, but I have to say, SterlingNorth that was art, dude. Of course, it means that all the C#3 and M#7 posts now read “member” instead of “unregistered,” but the board membership is pretty smart.
And here I thought it was weird to hijack a thread.
Try not to abuse your newfound power. Unless it’s really funny.
Purely personal opinion: nah, I didn’t mourn when I heard he got the boot. Some of this posts were funny and colorful, but he took the whole schtick way overboard and just became annoying. I skipped over his stuff in exactly the way I switch channels if I hear Rush Limbaugh’s voice. After a while the same old rants and baiting just become boring.
IMO, it’s ludicrous to try to clothe this as a free speech issue. The rules are laid out, and if they’re generously defined, they’re also generously interpreted. The explanations provided by Ed Zotti and the moderators–IMO–were generously provided as well and more than sufficient.
We’re all guests at this party, and the moderators serve as waiters, bus boys and bouncers. Frankly, this whole brouhaha reminds me of a teen kegger that got out of hand. A guest got obnoxious, was warned repeatedly, responded by slinging insults and obscenities at the hosts and quite deservedly got tossed out. Now other guests are milling around, pointing fingers at one another (“well, what about *him”!), grumbling and debating the house rules.
Again, just my opinion, but when you’re a guest in someone else’s house, a certain respect is owed to the hosts for just providing the venue and the party. If the hosts decide one guest has gone over the line far enough and often enough, they have every right–and obligation–to eject the offender so the party isn’t spoiled for others. I don’t think it really behooves other guests to demand justifications, compilation of rules interpretations and applicable case law from the hosts.
So, I for one say good riddance to C#3 and a sincere thanks to the hosts who threw the party and enjoy the mix of guests they’ve attracted.
Contestant #3 was…
well, he was…
[5 second pause]
He was a contestant.
[10 second pause]
In fact…
[5 second pause]
He, um… he was, uh, the third contestant.
[3 second pause]
Um… yep.
:::looks sternly:::
Let us pray.