# we should be able to say whatever we want about the mods **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [October 28, 2010, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-should-be-able-to-say-whatever-we-want-about-the-mods/558615 "2010-10-28T02:22:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2010, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-should-be-able-to-say-whatever-we-want-about-the-mods/558615/21 "2010-10-28T14:56:54Z")
> [@Contrapuntal](#): > > Check your rule book. " Motherfucker" cannot be applied to posters _inside_ the Pit. I apologize, you are correct. I never go to the Pit, so I’m not aware of the finer distinctions. My point still stands, although my example is defunct: personal insults are not allowed outside the Pit. Inside the Pit, there are a few terms that we consider to be too over-the-top to permit. Not many, a handful, but nonetheless. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2010, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-should-be-able-to-say-whatever-we-want-about-the-mods/558615/22 "2010-10-28T16:27:35Z")
> [@D\_Odds](#): > > I know I live in fear of mod power abuse. I heard that when they suspend you they implant trojans on your computer (even Linux and Mac) that can bypass any protections, and if they ban you they come to your house and kick your kitten too.\* > > The mods/admins have no power to abuse except that which posters give them by going apeshit over nothing. And the vast majority of the time, it really is nothing, except a bunch of nit-pickers continually want to quibble and argue over their ability to say “cunt” and “fuck”. > > - Don’t own a kitten? They’ll give you one, and then kick it. That’ll show you. We do not either kick kittens. And if we find kittens, we keep them. Puppies are fair game, though. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2010, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-should-be-able-to-say-whatever-we-want-about-the-mods/558615/23 "2010-10-28T16:57:18Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > And here’s where we embark on a 50+ page debate over whether the Registration Agreement comprises an \*actual \*obligation, or is more akin to believing in the Tooth Fairy… What do you mean “we”? It might be a debate for others. To me it couldn’t be any clearer. If you don’t agree with the TOS, don’t click “Register”. It’s not even a debate for me. ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2010, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-should-be-able-to-say-whatever-we-want-about-the-mods/558615/24 "2010-10-28T17:24:40Z")
> [@kidneyfailure](#): > > Why should they be above the criticism of the users of this board? They aren’t, you just can’t call them a “fucking douchebag”. And I disagree that being able to call a mod a “fucking douchebag” is a necessary prerequisite for being able to dispute a moderator decision. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2010, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-should-be-able-to-say-whatever-we-want-about-the-mods/558615/25 "2010-10-28T19:19:44Z")
I find the OP to be rather humorous. Tell me, **kidneyfailure** -would it also apply the other way around? Would the mods and admins be able to start BBQ Pit threads about posters without fear of being accused of prejudicial treatment? Could a moderator bitch you out royally for your opinions, then give you a reprimand while acting as a mod? ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2010, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-should-be-able-to-say-whatever-we-want-about-the-mods/558615/26 "2010-10-28T19:43:36Z")
We actually have an example right now where a mod was actively involved in a position in a thread, and then moderated the conversation. That issue is drawing pages of criticism of mods being involved in a thread and moderating it at the same time. If we allowed Members to Pit Mods, we have to allow Mods to Pit members. Already the ability of the mods to be partisan in debate and then also be neutral in moderation is called in question. **Czarcasm** is correct: all you would be doing is opening ground for more complaints of favoritism/antipathy and unfair treatment/abuse of mod powers. ---
**Author:** ![kidneyfailure](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9f8e36/32.png) [@kidneyfailure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidneyfailure)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2010, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-should-be-able-to-say-whatever-we-want-about-the-mods/558615/27 "2010-10-29T22:53:43Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > I find the OP to be rather humorous. > Tell me, **kidneyfailure** -would it also apply the other way around? Would the mods and admins be able to start BBQ Pit threads about posters without fear of being accused of prejudicial treatment? Could a moderator bitch you out royally for your opinions, then give you a reprimand while acting as a mod? Sure. I’m a fair person. If I’m going to call someone an asshole, they have the right to do the same to me. And, anyway, mods bitching people out for what they say and then officially warning them as a mod happens all the time. ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2010, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-should-be-able-to-say-whatever-we-want-about-the-mods/558615/28 "2010-10-30T07:48:12Z")
I dunno, maybe I’m just not paying attention, but 9 times out of 10 have trouble seeing what people have got their panties in a wad over. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2010, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-should-be-able-to-say-whatever-we-want-about-the-mods/558615/29 "2010-10-30T21:47:00Z")
> [@Arnold\_Winkelried](#): > > They aren’t, you just can’t call them a “fucking douchebag”. And I disagree that being able to call a mod a “fucking douchebag” is a necessary prerequisite for being able to dispute a moderator decision. That’s quite full of crap. You’re not allowed to “bash” mods; you don’t have to remotely approach calling them a “fucking douchebag” for a thread to be shut down. > **[Twicks: Don't pull this shit in MPSIMS?](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=583257)** > > From here: Do you really think this is an appropriate way for a Moderator to exercise her official powers? Because I don’t. You are not Sheriff Buford T. Pusser facing down the bad guys. You’re a moderator in the fluffy bunny forum. Supposedly,... > [@kidneyfailure](#): > > Sure. I’m a fair person. If I’m going to call someone an asshole, they have the right to do the same to me. And, anyway, mods bitching people out for what they say and then officially warning them as a mod happens all the time. Sure. Coincidentally you remind me of the time [Czarcasm moved a thread to the Pit just so he could call a poster an asshole](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=9605308&postcount=17) so I have trouble buying his concern now about a double standard going the other way. ---
**Author:** ![kidneyfailure](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9f8e36/32.png) [@kidneyfailure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidneyfailure)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2010, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-should-be-able-to-say-whatever-we-want-about-the-mods/558615/30 "2010-10-31T00:55:45Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > That’s quite full of crap. You’re not allowed to “bash” mods; you don’t have to remotely approach calling them a “fucking douchebag” for a thread to be shut down. > > [Twicks: Don't pull this shit in MPSIMS? - About This Message Board - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=583257) > Sure. Coincidentally you remind me of the time [Czarcasm moved a thread to the Pit just so he could call a poster an asshole](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=9605308&postcount=17) so I have trouble buying his concern now about a double standard going the other way. THIS ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2010, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-should-be-able-to-say-whatever-we-want-about-the-mods/558615/31 "2010-10-31T01:20:01Z")
I think it goes back to the idea that if you punch some random stranger on the street then that’s a simple misdemeanor battery, but if you punch a cop, then All Hell Rains Down. Some people are just more equal than others. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2010, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-should-be-able-to-say-whatever-we-want-about-the-mods/558615/32 "2010-10-31T01:26:04Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > Sure. Coincidentally you remind me of the time [Czarcasm moved a thread to the Pit just so he could call a poster an asshole](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=9605308&postcount=17) so I have trouble buying his concern now about a double standard going the other way. What would be truly evil would be to move a thread to the Pit in order to call a poster an asshole, then move it back to the original forum again. 😃 ---
**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:** [November 2, 2010, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-should-be-able-to-say-whatever-we-want-about-the-mods/558615/33 "2010-11-02T22:00:35Z")
> [@Irishman](#): > > If we allowed Members to Pit mods, we have to allow Mods to Pit members. 1.) They can’t now? A Mod acting as a private poster can’t Pit someone else as a private poster? 2.) I’d say “I have no power but I can call you a fucking douchebag when you do something I don’t like” is balanced pretty well by “I have all the power but I can’t call you a fucking douchebag when you do something I don’t like.” FWIW, I’m ambivalent about re-allowing the Pitting of staff for official actions. There are certainly times I’d like to have been able to express myself in harsher words, especially when we enter “wagon circling” territory (or, better yet, we just get blown off), but it’s certainly not necessary. And I can understand the desire to have your official role here exempt from insults, such that any complaints will be (hopefully) legitimate and substantiated instead of simply a list of which genetive organs you resemble. Speaking personally, it would not bother me to be Pitted as a mod, but I’m not a mod here. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2010, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-should-be-able-to-say-whatever-we-want-about-the-mods/558615/34 "2010-11-02T22:17:24Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > 1.) They can’t now? A Mod acting as a private poster can’t Pit someone else as a private poster? No. ---
**Author:** ![Cheshire\_Human](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Cheshire\_Human](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheshire_Human)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2010, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-should-be-able-to-say-whatever-we-want-about-the-mods/558615/35 "2010-11-03T00:22:10Z")
> [@kidneyfailure](#): > > …I think this is bullshit. We should be able to say whatever the hell we want about the mods, we should be able to Pit the living shit out of them when they piss us off just as we’d do with anyone else on this board. Why should they be above the criticism of the users of this board? Why is it that I can call **Rand Rover** a fucking douchebag in the Pit, but if I say the same thing to **Marley 23** –and trust me, I’d really like to-- I’d get warned for “insulting a mod” or “personal insults” (ironic, really, since Marley wouldn’t know what a fucking “personal insult” is even if it bit him in the ass. But I digress…)? The irony inherent in this statement is why I stick around here… Delicious… just Delicious… Do you serve Ice Cream, too? Perhaps you should consider being civil in your language when speaking to TPTB. They may be assholes, but they DO have feelings. Call **Rand** an asshole, if you like, but he won’t care, nor will I. The mods, here, on the other hand, DO care. That’s why they **waste** their time here. They are probably assholes, and so is **Rand** , and so am I. They at least waste their “asshole-time” babysitting imbeciles (we won’t mention names) to, at least, make this board worth our time… ---
**Author:** ![kidneyfailure](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9f8e36/32.png) [@kidneyfailure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidneyfailure)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2010, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-should-be-able-to-say-whatever-we-want-about-the-mods/558615/36 "2010-11-03T02:01:58Z")
> [@Cheshire\_Human](#): > > Call **Rand** an asshole, if you like, but he won’t care, nor will I. The mods, here, on the other hand, DO care. That’s why they **waste** their time here. After **TubaDiva** ’s arrogant tantrum in the other thread, the one that shows the blatant contempt she (and, most likely, other mods/admins, as well) has for the users of this board, I couldn’t give two flying fucks what a mod/admin thinks anymore. If it breaks their hearts that users of this community think they’re asshole then maybe they should stop acting like assholes? This isn’t rocket science. link: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=13095027&postcount=3](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=13095027&postcount=3) ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2010, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-should-be-able-to-say-whatever-we-want-about-the-mods/558615/37 "2010-11-03T15:53:09Z")
It seems to me we have tried “all complaints about moderators go in the PIT”, and that didn’t work because everything was then a Pit thread, and anyone with a legitimate question or gripe had to deal with the asshats who can’t be civil about anything poking their nose in the thread. And any mod trying to address an official question had to put up with the abuse. Now we have tried “all complaints about moderation goes in ATMB, and you cannot Pit moderators (and mods can’t Pit other members)”. I don’t know that that is working, either. Might I suggest athird alternative: “All questions and complaints expecting an answer relating to moderation go in ATMB with ATMB rules. Bitching and whining and throwing insults for the sake of insulting goes in The Pit, with the caveat that it may be completely ignored by the Powers That Be.” If you want a serious answer, ask (politely) in ATMB. If you want to gripe, post it in the Pit. Don’t hijack ATMB with whinefests. Don’t post in the Pit and expect an answer. Mods can Pit posters, and posters can Pit mods, but any pitting of moderation or board policies will be ignored at the moderators’ discretion. I don’t know, seems to me worth a shot. ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2010, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-should-be-able-to-say-whatever-we-want-about-the-mods/558615/38 "2010-11-03T16:10:07Z")
> [@Cheshire\_Human](#): > > They are probably assholes, and so is **Rand** , and so am I. Please dial it back a bit. \*\* Gfactor\*\* ATMB Moderator ---
**Author:** ![NineToTheSky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5a626/32.png) [@NineToTheSky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NineToTheSky)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2010, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-should-be-able-to-say-whatever-we-want-about-the-mods/558615/39 "2010-11-03T16:10:48Z")
**Irishman** - sounds good to me. But how would you ensure that all the posts in ATMB were polite? ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2010, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-should-be-able-to-say-whatever-we-want-about-the-mods/558615/40 "2010-11-03T16:11:34Z")
> [@kidneyfailure](#): > > After **TubaDiva** ’s arrogant tantrum in the other thread, the one that shows the blatant contempt she (and, most likely, other mods/admins, as well) has for the users of this board, I couldn’t give two flying fucks what a mod/admin thinks anymore. If it breaks their hearts that users of this community think they’re asshole then maybe they should stop acting like assholes? This isn’t rocket science. > > link: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=13095027&postcount=3](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=13095027&postcount=3) Please dial it back a bit. **Gfactor** ATMB Moderator [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-should-be-able-to-say-whatever-we-want-about-the-mods/558615.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-should-be-able-to-say-whatever-we-want-about-the-mods/558615.md?page=3)