# What's with the stern warnings? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 20, 2007, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-stern-warnings/416203 "2007-08-20T02:04:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2007, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-stern-warnings/416203/41 "2007-08-20T14:35:34Z")
[QUOTE=Liberal] …They tatooed a 666 on my forehead and branded a big I (for “ignorant”) on my chest. [/QUOTE] In their defense, it was supposed to be a ‘999’ but since they were hanging you upside down over the toilet, they got all confused. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2007, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-stern-warnings/416203/42 "2007-08-20T15:07:04Z")
[QUOTE=denquixote] I assume that is your opinion. [/QUOTE] This demonstrates the basic reason for your failure to understand what’s happening here: you obviously have no idea of the meaning of certain words, such as _opinion_, _political_, and _fact_. Take a moment or two and peruse any reputable dictionary and you just may find yourself enlightened. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2007, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-stern-warnings/416203/43 "2007-08-20T15:09:50Z")
[QUOTE=denquixote] I assume that is your opinion. As to other posters:… (blah,blah,blah) [/QUOTE] (blah,blah,blah) is PunditLisa’s. Dude, your agenda is blindingly obvious. Post #24 is what you were itching to get off your chest in the first place. Despite your claims that your statement in the GQ thread was neutral and factual, it was very clearly neither. What is also painfully clear is that you were ticked that the Mod cut you off before you could deliver your big speech, and you’d probably already typed it out and everything, so you had to come up with some alternative platform. Hence this lame-o Pit Thread where your lousy excuse is that you are puzzled by the nature of a “stern warning.” Uh huh. In the future, we’d appreciate if you’d just skip the coquetry altogether and get straight to your point. _In the appropriate forum._ To use your own words, we’re not in third grade and we understood the gist of your agenda from the first post. ---
**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:** [August 20, 2007, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-stern-warnings/416203/44 "2007-08-20T15:15:31Z")
The thing is, this board is brimming with anti-Bush folks. Just post your fucking ideas in GD and everything will be just fine. Most people will probably agree with you. As it is, you’re just being a dick about the whole thing. Consider this a learning experience. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2007, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-stern-warnings/416203/45 "2007-08-20T15:27:36Z")
[QUOTE=Monty] This demonstrates the basic reason for your failure to understand what’s happening here: you obviously have no idea of the meaning of certain words, such as _opinion_, _political_, and _fact_. Take a moment or two and peruse any reputable dictionary and you just may find yourself enlightened. [/QUOTE] And until you can understand all three, it may be wise to refrain from posting in GQ all together. The mods are pretty serious about this one. And the mods around here do function as Sister Claire - if you choose to be a third grader, that’s your business. Generally speaking, they are fair and reasonable and enforce rules pretty evenly. Sometimes - being human - they make mistakes or do things not everyone agrees with. But they are the authority - if you don’t like that, Usenet is unmoderated and free. ---
**Author:** ![Duke\_of\_Rat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Duke\_of\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke_of_Rat)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2007, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-stern-warnings/416203/46 "2007-08-20T16:06:26Z")
[QUOTE=Colibri] I was extremely tempted, however, to say “I \*am \* fucking Sister Clare!” [/QUOTE] I tried that once, I didn’t get nun. ---
**Author:** ![Sapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2007, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-stern-warnings/416203/47 "2007-08-20T16:13:44Z")
[QUOTE=John Mace] The thing is, this \*board \* is brimming with anti-Bush folks. [/QUOTE] you misspelled “world” d&r ---
**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:** [August 20, 2007, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-stern-warnings/416203/48 "2007-08-20T16:19:59Z")
[QUOTE=Sapo] you misspelled “world” d&r [/QUOTE] You’re right. I spelled it B-u-s-h. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2007, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-stern-warnings/416203/49 "2007-08-20T16:58:52Z")
[QUOTE=John Mace] The thing is, this board is brimming with anti-Bush folks. Just post your fucking ideas in GD and everything will be just fine. Most people will probably agree with you. As it is, you’re just being a dick about the whole thing. Consider this a learning experience. [/QUOTE] Yes. I think the Bush Administration is actively and deliberately trying to harm the American political system, and yet despite my very, very strong feelings, I do not defend their expression, or those like them, in inappropriate venues. The OP is a dumbass. ---
**Author:** ![denquixote](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9bd4f/32.png) [@denquixote](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/denquixote)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2007, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-stern-warnings/416203/50 "2007-08-20T17:20:41Z")
[QUOTE=Mangetout] FWIW, I think the post in question, if phrased very slightly differently, should have been acceptable, whether or not it’s a politically-sensitive issue. - Because it does in fact refer to a situation - and exception - where a foreign visitor might not enjoy the normal range of rights. [/QUOTE] You are reading a different post (I think) . That post brought about non-warning. This rant is about my warning. ---
**Author:** ![Crotalus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crotalus/32/41_2.png) [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2007, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-stern-warnings/416203/51 "2007-08-20T18:02:34Z")
The original question in GQ could have been answered in several ways that would have been in keeping with the accepted culture in that forum. Several posters answered in that way, citing at least one group of people who are not currently in power who had the stated aim of taking over control of the US by other than electoral means. An argument or two ensued over terms, but this is SDMB after all. What **denquixote** introduced to the thread was not addressed to the obvious interest of the OP, was not fact but opinion, and was clearly political. It appears to me that **Colibri** put on his mod hat to attempt to keep the thing in GQ, where the OP had some hope of being enlightened about the existence of actual revolutionary groups. Instead of polite compliance, he was met by childish argumentativeness, and now a lame pitting from another stupid and thin-skinned adolescent who cannot bear the sting of being told to change his behavior. These delicate cases pop up from time to time, usually seeking explicit written rules to support the action of the meany mods. Here you go: don’t be a jerk; answer questions with facts in GQ; when a mod tells you to stop doing something, stop; argue politics in GD or in the pit. Of course these rules aren’t official, they are just things I’ve learned as a member of this community. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2007, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-stern-warnings/416203/52 "2007-08-20T20:56:49Z")
[QUOTE=PunditLisa] In their defense, it was supposed to be a ‘999’ but since they were hanging you upside down over the toilet, they got all confused. [/QUOTE] And we all know that 9.99 = 1. So, \*\*Liberal \*\*is The One! Neo! Is that you? ---
**Author:** ![straight\_man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/straight_man/32/3027_2.png) [@straight\_man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/straight_man)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2007, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-stern-warnings/416203/53 "2007-08-20T21:07:19Z")
[QUOTE=denquixote] You are reading a different post (I think) . That post brought about non-warning. This rant is about my warning. [/QUOTE] Which brings up another topic: that you managed to do the _same dumbass thing twice_, all for the price of only one warning. That’s a “I guess I’m pretty lucky!” kind of moment, if I’ve ever heard of one. ---
**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:** [August 21, 2007, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-stern-warnings/416203/54 "2007-08-21T00:59:05Z")
[QUOTE=Contrapuntal] And we all know that 9.99 = 1. So, \*\*Liberal \*\*is The One! Neo! Is that you? [/QUOTE] Looks to me more like he’s the Ten… 'Course, I’m no math whiz. ---
**Author:** ![Kat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b19c9b/32.png) [@Kat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kat)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2007, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-stern-warnings/416203/55 "2007-08-21T02:15:45Z")
[QUOTE=denquixote] I assume that is your opinion. As to other posters: Well as I said, I don’t understand why the in itial post was in GQ and in my opinion it should have been moved. [/QUOTE] Then you: (1) Report it, with a note that you think it’s in the wrong forum and should be in GD (2) _After_ it’s moved, _then_ you type your GQ-inappropriate/GD-appropriate post (2a) If the mods feel that the particular thread does not require moving, then you _start your own thread in GD_, perhaps linking to the original and explaining how it inspired your thread. Applicable cliche: Two wrongs don’t make a right. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2007, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-stern-warnings/416203/56 "2007-08-21T03:24:29Z")
[QUOTE=denquixote] As to whether I am thin-skinned, well it is not that so much as the fact that I don’t like to be scolded (if you told me how mean, sarcastic, abrasive and condescending I am I would probably not be offended (and might even agree)) but “Don’t do it again” is a reproach that sounded unduly harsh and pointless. [/quote] If you think “don’t do it again” is a “reproach” then you are in fact absurdly thin-skinned. My original instructions to you were not impolite, and were in fact strictly professional. I was blunt, because I wanted to make sure there was no misunderstanding on your part of what the rule was. There is a prominently displayed sticky in GQ regarding offhand political commentary. Since you evidently had either not read the sticky, or not understood it, this does not speak well to your interest in learning or complying with the rules of the board. > [@](#): > > The only other thought it provoked in my mind was “or what?” That _should_ have gone through your mind. And the answer that you should have come up with is that if you continue to violate rules and disobey the instructions of moderators, you could jeopardize your continued membership in this board. > [@](#): > > In addition, to those who think the prohibition in the stickies is clear, it is not. While it is not absolutely explicit, I can’t ever recall any other poster claiming that they didn’t understand what it meant. Regarding my perceived “scolding,” my obligation is not to you as an individual but to the smooth running of the board as a whole. You were in the process of derailing that thread into a discussion that had little to do with the intent of the OP. In fairness to the OP and the other participants in the thread who were attempting to answer the question he was actually interested in, I felt you needed to be informed to desist in no uncertain terms. Your subsequent actions show that I should have been even more blunt with you than I was initially, since you don’t seem to be very good at taking a hint. However, since in an e-mail to me you say you made your last post without seeing my subsequent instructions, I am going to give you the benefit of the doubt and rescind the official warning. I am, however, going to retain a note that you have been informed of the rule against making political comments in GQ by both me and [samclem](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=8896212&postcount=12) for future reference so you can’t claim you don’t know about it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-stern-warnings/416203.md?page=2)