# Whack-a-Mole did something really stupid **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 29, 2010, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whack-a-mole-did-something-really-stupid/551862 "2010-08-29T03:38:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Maeglin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Maeglin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maeglin)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2010, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whack-a-mole-did-something-really-stupid/551862/81 "2010-08-31T02:23:35Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > so you instead complain that he’s “rules lawyering” (thus showing yourself to also be a D&D retard). If this is in fact a “D&D retard” reference, what should we infer from the fact that you got the in-joke? ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2010, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whack-a-mole-did-something-really-stupid/551862/82 "2010-08-31T02:27:00Z")
> [@Maeglin](#): > > > [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > > > so you instead complain that he’s “rules lawyering” (thus showing yourself to also be a D&D retard). > > If this is in fact a “D&D retard” reference, what should we infer from the fact that you got the in-joke? I think you should infer that I know stuff about stuff even if I think that stuff is stupid as all hell. ---
**Author:** ![Maeglin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Maeglin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maeglin)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2010, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whack-a-mole-did-something-really-stupid/551862/83 "2010-08-31T02:31:46Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > > [@Maeglin](#): > > > > If this is in fact a “D&D retard” reference, what should we infer from the fact that you got the in-joke? > > I think you should infer that I know stuff about stuff even if I think that stuff is stupid as all hell. Crazy thought, but maybe Elvis does, too. ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2010, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whack-a-mole-did-something-really-stupid/551862/84 "2010-08-31T02:33:16Z")
> [@Maeglin](#): > > > [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > > > I think you should infer that I know stuff about stuff even if I think that stuff is stupid as all hell. > > Crazy thought, but maybe Elvis does, too. Well, there’s knowing about the term and then there’s using it. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2010, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whack-a-mole-did-something-really-stupid/551862/85 "2010-08-31T02:39:16Z")
> [@Contrapuntal](#): > > > [@Bricker](#): > > > > Now comes **The Second Stone** who says that DeLay must be gulty because I’m defending him, and as I admitted in another thread, I never had a client I thought was completely innocent. > > > > I point out that the two situations are completely different: I was talking about my time as a public defender. **The Second Stone** ’s response? The message board is a public forum, and you are defending DeLay, so that’s being a public defender. > > Please tell me he didn’t say that. Sorry. From the GD thread: > [@How Dare They Not Prosecute Tom Delay?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dare-they-not-prosecute-tom-delay/551280/150): > > I said that as a public defender, I believed I never had an innocent client. There is absolutely nothing to allow you to infer that because it was true of my long-ago career as a PD, it’s also true of anyone I choose to defend in argument here. > [@How Dare They Not Prosecute Tom Delay?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dare-they-not-prosecute-tom-delay/551280/151): > > Well, now you are splitting hairs. This is a public forum, he is accused of of a crime, you are defending him. You have never publicly defended someone who is factually innocent. Therefore, he is guilty. ---
**Author:** ![Maeglin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Maeglin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maeglin)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2010, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whack-a-mole-did-something-really-stupid/551862/86 "2010-08-31T02:40:25Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > > [@Maeglin](#): > > > > Crazy thought, but maybe Elvis does, too. > > Well, there’s knowing about the term and then there’s using it. He was using it derisively, after all. Apparently it isn’t even originally a role playing game term, if you believe the wiki. So, when was the last time you drank a mountain dew? ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2010, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whack-a-mole-did-something-really-stupid/551862/87 "2010-08-31T02:45:04Z")
> [@Maeglin](#): > > > [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > > > Well, there’s knowing about the term and then there’s using it. > > He was using it derisively, after all. Apparently it isn’t even originally a role playing game term, if you believe the wiki. > > So, when was the last time you drank a mountain dew? As luck would have it, I usually drink green tea at lunch, but had Mountain Dew today (from a fountain, which I refer to as “Fountain Dew”). In any event, if ElvisLives is not a D&D player, then fine, and good for him. He’s still an all-around jackass who did say what I said he said about how the Constitution works. ---
**Author:** ![Maeglin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Maeglin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maeglin)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2010, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whack-a-mole-did-something-really-stupid/551862/88 "2010-08-31T03:34:10Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > > [@Maeglin](#): > > > > He was using it derisively, after all. Apparently it isn’t even originally a role playing game term, if you believe the wiki. > > > > So, when was the last time you drank a mountain dew? > > As luck would have it, I usually drink green tea at lunch, but had Mountain Dew today (from a fountain, which I refer to as “Fountain Dew”). > > In any event, if ElvisLives is not a D&D player, then fine, and good for him. He’s still an all-around jackass who did say what I said he said about how the Constitution works. Well, in that case, carry on then! ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2010, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whack-a-mole-did-something-really-stupid/551862/89 "2010-08-31T04:29:24Z")
And nice saving roll, by the way. ---
**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:** [August 31, 2010, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whack-a-mole-did-something-really-stupid/551862/90 "2010-08-31T05:25:07Z")
> [@bucketybuck](#): > > Its like, all the “Great Debates” usual suspects got tired of the same old circle jerk of semantic petty arguing, and decided to all come down to the Pit, where they could poke each other with bad language instead of rules lawyering. > > You all having fun fellas? Hey! You’re getting your petty arguing and rules lawyering in my bad language and ranting! ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2010, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whack-a-mole-did-something-really-stupid/551862/91 "2010-08-31T06:06:22Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > > [@Lord\_Ashtar](#): > > > > Can you or can you not understand how this is just an argument from popularity? > > Nope. Morality is a group-defined virtue, or set of virtues. True, but the definition of a word is not defined by the populace. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2010, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whack-a-mole-did-something-really-stupid/551862/92 "2010-08-31T06:07:48Z")
Evidently Rings of Asshole were on sale last week. ---
**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:** [August 31, 2010, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whack-a-mole-did-something-really-stupid/551862/93 "2010-08-31T06:23:05Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > You got a mouse in your pocket (with the royal we)? The truth is that you don’t know the first thing about how the Constitution or our system of government in general works, and you are incapable of matching Bricker’s intellect or arguing ability, so you instead complain that he’s “rules lawyering” (thus showing yourself to also be a D&D retard). You shouldn’t knock D&D nerds. Your particular brand of politics and social philosophy is shared by a significant percentage of them. Which, I suppose, demonstrates that there is some truth to the stereotype about gamers being unable to separate fantasy from reality. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2010, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whack-a-mole-did-something-really-stupid/551862/94 "2010-08-31T13:09:32Z")
> [@How Dare They Not Prosecute Tom Delay?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dare-they-not-prosecute-tom-delay/551280/151): > > > [@Contrapuntal](#): > > > > Please tell me he didn’t say that. > > Sorry. From the GD thread: > > > [@How Dare They Not Prosecute Tom Delay?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dare-they-not-prosecute-tom-delay/551280/151): > > > > Well, now you are splitting hairs. This is a public forum, he is accused of of a crime, you are defending him. You have never publicly defended someone who is factually innocent. Therefore, he is guilty. Criminy. That makes me a public defender too. Where do I pick up my paycheck? ---
**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:** [August 31, 2010, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whack-a-mole-did-something-really-stupid/551862/95 "2010-08-31T13:26:25Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > I’ve said dozens, if not hundreds, of times that I no longer practice law. When is the last time you were a lawyer? ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2010, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whack-a-mole-did-something-really-stupid/551862/96 "2010-08-31T13:27:53Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Evidently Rings of Asshole were on sale last week. Rings of Asshole, +2 vs Logic. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2010, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whack-a-mole-did-something-really-stupid/551862/97 "2010-08-31T13:31:53Z")
Publicly defending someone in an internet forum makes you a public defender in the same sense as a lawyer hired to publicly defend, in court, an indigent defendant? That’s not a hair split, it’s a continental divide. I choose to assume Second Stone was being ironic, or just looking for some trivial way to claim points. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2010, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whack-a-mole-did-something-really-stupid/551862/98 "2010-08-31T14:32:00Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Publicly defending someone in an internet forum makes you a public defender in the same sense as a lawyer hired to publicly defend, in court, an indigent defendant? > > That’s not a hair split, it’s a continental divide. I choose to assume Second Stone was being ironic, or just looking for some trivial way to claim points. Yeah, that’s probably it. Both times. Or maybe the first time was ironic, and the second was the points thing. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2010, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whack-a-mole-did-something-really-stupid/551862/99 "2010-08-31T15:08:15Z")
> [@Lord\_Ashtar](#): > > > [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > > > Nope. Morality is a group-defined virtue, or set of virtues. > > True, but the definition of a word is not defined by the populace. This one’s is (you just said “True”). So there. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2010, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whack-a-mole-did-something-really-stupid/551862/100 "2010-08-31T19:08:00Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > > [@Lord\_Ashtar](#): > > > > True, but the definition of a word is not defined by the populace. > > This one’s is (you just said “True”). > > So there. The word in question is “hypocrisy”, not “morality”. And even if it were, the populace gets to decide what falls under the definition of moral, not what the word itself means. Is this really so hard for you to understand, or is your distaste for **Bricker** clouding your judgment? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whack-a-mole-did-something-really-stupid/551862.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whack-a-mole-did-something-really-stupid/551862.md?page=6)