# When is a sock not a sock? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [May 21, 2012, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-sock-not-a-sock/622657 "2012-05-21T21:44:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**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:** [May 22, 2012, 9:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-sock-not-a-sock/622657/41 "2012-05-22T09:34:05Z")
> [@splatterpunk](#): > > Sounds to me like you _are_ hung-up on the specifics. And you ask a lot of weird questions for a newbie. > > Did you once take $20 from a friend of yours? You know, as a joke? [Moderating] **splatterpunk** , accusations like this do not belong in ATMB. Do not accuse other posters of being socks, unless you’re in the Pit. [/Moderating] ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2012, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-sock-not-a-sock/622657/42 "2012-05-22T10:48:14Z")
I want to point out something. **The Man with a Golden Gun** asked to be banned. He is having problems controlling himself, so he sure as hell does not need Mods telling him, “Hey, you’re cool. Come on back. Have a little more of the crack rock”. The best thing the board can do for the guy is to BAN him. I never had a problem with the guy, but that’s the thing. He’s admitted an addiction to the board. It may be hurting his real life. The last thing the mods need to be doing is dangling a “suspension” in his face. It’s a temptation. We should respect the guy’s wishes. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2012, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-sock-not-a-sock/622657/43 "2012-05-22T11:10:07Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > I’m guessing the most socks award would fall to **mark serlin** – who claimed that his doctor insisted he post here, because it was good for him. Or something like that. It was pretty funny. > [@Chronos](#): > > Eh, he was one of the more prolific serial socks, but he pales in comparison to the massively parallel ones. There was one that was referred to as the Bay Area Troll (or BAT for short), who would literally make dozens of new accounts per day. > > Both of those were pretty early in the board’s history, though. I expect that both of them have been surpassed in the more than a decade since then. Nope, the **BAT** holds the title and will forever. He last created a sock in late 2009, so he was here since the first day of the Board in 1999(probably on AOL also) for 10 years. I’d say he used _hundreds_ of sock accounts. I’m sure I’ve banned over 100 myself. ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2012, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-sock-not-a-sock/622657/44 "2012-05-22T11:26:38Z")
I always thought the mods were pretty efficient at nailing socks. however, this guy had two sock accounts for 9 years? This is not going to look good on the monthly report to Cecil. ---
**Author:** ![srzss05](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/898d66/32.png) [@srzss05](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/srzss05)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2012, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-sock-not-a-sock/622657/45 "2012-05-22T12:48:41Z")
> [@Enola\_Gay](#): > > FFS, even judges in the criminal system are allowed discretion. I don’t understand why having a flexible approach to situations is seen as such a negative by so many on this board and I really hope TPTB don’t start imposing mandatory minimums. There are enough rules already. As has been said, it is the silly pretense of flexibility that is in question here. Mods can ban anyone for any reason, or no reason at all. When they try to find a “rule” to either ban someone or keep someone, it is arbitrary but they pretend it isn’t. If they were simply upfront and say so, there would be less “outrage”. ---
**Author:** ![Myrnalene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@Myrnalene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Myrnalene)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2012, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-sock-not-a-sock/622657/46 "2012-05-22T18:35:09Z")
> [@A Monkey With a Gun](#): > > I want to point out something. **The Man with a Golden Gun** asked to be banned. He is having problems controlling himself, so he sure as hell does not need Mods telling him, “Hey, you’re cool. Come on back. Have a little more of the crack rock”. > > I never had a problem with the guy, but that’s the thing. He’s admitted an addiction to the board. It may be hurting his real life. The last thing the mods need to be doing is dangling a “suspension” in his face. It’s a temptation. We should respect the guy’s wishes. I think this is good point and I hope it’s not ignored. Has he even asked to come back? Shouldn’t the mods make sure they are acting how he would want them to, before they going around doing favors he may not even want or need? ---
**Author:** ![choie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/choie/32/7829_2.png) [@choie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/choie)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2012, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-sock-not-a-sock/622657/47 "2012-05-22T18:39:14Z")
Wait, wait, I know this one. “When it’s a rgyle?” ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2012, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-sock-not-a-sock/622657/48 "2012-05-22T18:44:33Z")
> [@Myrnalene](#): > > I think this is good point and I hope it’s not ignored. Has he even asked to come back? Shouldn’t the mods make sure they are acting how he would want them to, before they going around doing favors he may not even want or need? Done. ---
**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:** [May 22, 2012, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-sock-not-a-sock/622657/49 "2012-05-22T18:53:17Z")
> [@Myrnalene](#): > > I think this is good point and I hope it’s not ignored. Has he even asked to come back? Shouldn’t the mods make sure they are acting how he would want them to, before they going around doing favors he may not even want or need? Yes, without going into to much detail about a private correspondence, **The Man with the Golden Gun** was contacted about having his banning reduced to a posting sabbatical, and has politely refused the offer. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2012, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-sock-not-a-sock/622657/50 "2012-05-22T18:54:06Z")
> [@Myrnalene](#): > > I think this is good point and I hope it’s not ignored. Has he even asked to come back? Shouldn’t the mods make sure they are acting how he would want them to, before they going around doing favors he may not even want or need? I know he wanted the mods to give me a million dollars. So? Mods? You going to deny a man his final wish? Huh? Huh? Are you? ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2012, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-sock-not-a-sock/622657/51 "2012-05-22T19:05:55Z")
> [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > I know he wanted the mods to give me a million dollars. So? Mods? You going to deny a man his final wish? Huh? Huh? Are you? [sub]pssst! He specified _Zimbabwe_ dollars[/sub]. Your check(with a magnifying glass) is in the mail. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2012, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-sock-not-a-sock/622657/52 "2012-05-22T19:42:19Z")
“I’m turning myself in. Here’s a suitcase full of old severed heads.” “It shows a lot of character, you coming clean like this. Let’s call it a warning this time!” ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2012, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-sock-not-a-sock/622657/53 "2012-05-22T19:45:43Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > “It shows a lot of character, you coming clean like this. Let’s call it a warning this time!” The technical term for this is “class act.” ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2012, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-sock-not-a-sock/622657/54 "2012-05-22T19:46:41Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > There’s only a very small handful of people who fall into this category, but they represent the overwhelming majority of banned sock puppets. In some cases, literally thousands of them. :eek: Wow, that bad? > [@mister\_nyx](#): > > The question, though, is about people whose misbehavior was such that they earned a banning under their original account. Isn’t it? What are the circumstances that have earned him another chance after being enough of a jerk to get banned before? However many years of posting under this one identity only, and not getting a single Warning. That shows a change of behavior, and a sincere attitude adjustment. We’ve had other posters get banned, then show contrition and be allowed to come back. The one I know is **Sealemon**. I forget what his original string of nicks was, but he had several troll accounts closed, then changed his attitude, made a request to the mods, and got a new account. Then he posted for several years as a good contributor. He eventually was banned, but not for the same juvenile behavior he had originally engaged in. ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2012, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-sock-not-a-sock/622657/55 "2012-05-22T21:12:17Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > “I’m turning myself in. Here’s a suitcase full of old severed heads.” > > “It shows a lot of character, you coming clean like this. Let’s call it a warning this time!” Things may have changed since I last checked but I don’t think we live in a world where sneaking back in to a message board where you have been removed for bad behavior is the legal or moral equivalent of mass murder. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2012, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-sock-not-a-sock/622657/56 "2012-05-22T21:26:58Z")
> [@TubaDiva](#): > > Things may have changed since I last checked but I don’t think we live in a world where sneaking back in to a message board where you have been removed for bad behavior is the legal or moral equivalent of mass murder. It’s a slippery slope and you are the first line of defense. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2012, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-sock-not-a-sock/622657/57 "2012-05-22T21:36:25Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > [sub]pssst! He specified _Zimbabwe_ dollars[/sub]. Your check(with a magnifying glass) is in the mail. Money is money. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2012, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-sock-not-a-sock/622657/58 "2012-05-22T21:43:30Z")
> [@choie](#): > > Wait, wait, I know this one. > > “When it’s a rgyle?” You + Charlotte = beer ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2012, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-sock-not-a-sock/622657/59 "2012-05-22T21:49:44Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > It’s a slippery slope and you are the first line of defense. Well, smiting people ain’t what it used to be. Looking at the state of affairs in society today as a result of lack-of-smityness, I recognize I may have some blame here. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2012, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-sock-not-a-sock/622657/60 "2012-05-22T22:06:02Z")
> [@TubaDiva](#): > > Things may have changed since I last checked but I don’t think we live in a world where sneaking back in to a message board where you have been removed for bad behavior is the legal or moral equivalent of mass murder. See, that’s where you and I differ. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-sock-not-a-sock/622657.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-sock-not-a-sock/622657.md?page=4)