# When mods mess up **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [July 18, 2016, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mods-mess-up/760182 "2016-07-18T03:08:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 4
**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 2, 2016, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mods-mess-up/760182/61 "2016-08-02T20:59:49Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > There was no ongoing discussion in the mod loop. We thought that the matter was closed. When it came up again in this thread, we had a brief discussion, and as a result Tom added that small clarification. > > Discussions in the mod loop are private. I only mentioned it in this case because some folks had a very wrong impression of what Tom did. Oh, OK. When you said “In this case, we were discussing things in the mod loop” I thought you meant the whole time. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2016, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mods-mess-up/760182/62 "2016-08-04T16:40:06Z")
Bumping this thread, because I’d still like an official clarification from Ed. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2016, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mods-mess-up/760182/63 "2016-08-04T21:59:03Z")
What exactly do you want clarified? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2016, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mods-mess-up/760182/64 "2016-08-04T22:10:03Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > What exactly do you want clarified? Butter. ---
**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:** [August 4, 2016, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mods-mess-up/760182/65 "2016-08-04T22:13:09Z")
Parkay. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2016, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mods-mess-up/760182/66 "2016-08-04T22:42:51Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Butter. Ghee. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2016, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mods-mess-up/760182/67 "2016-08-05T00:08:01Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > What exactly do you want clarified? I thought this was fairly clear. > [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > When mods make posts as members, not in an official capacity, and do something modworthy, can other mods note or warn them for their comments? Specifically, there is a possible ambiguity in Ed’s statements 1 and 2. > [@](#): > > 1. The mods are expected to abide by SDMB rules just like all other members. We also have internal staff rules, policies and procedures. These aren’t for general distribution but they’re what you’d expect. Suffice it to say mods aren’t supposed to use their mod powers to give themselves special treatment. No harm was meant in the present case but it looked unfair and we want to avoid that. > > 2. It’s not the responsibility of one mod to chastise another. When a mod violates the rules or otherwise behaves problematically, that’s a matter for me to deal with as site administrator. I’m supposed to be alerted promptly when issues of this kind arise. There was a brief delay in the present case. Mods shouldn’t use mod powers to give themselves special treatment. That can be interpreted to mean when they are acting as moderators, not merely as members. Another difficulty is that if no mod is to publicly chastise another mod, even when a rule violation is made, that is the precise opposite of mods not getting special treatment. Unless Ed means that he will step into the thread and issue the public rebuke. But there must be public acknowledgement from someone inside the thread just as with any other mod note or warning. ---
**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:** [August 5, 2016, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mods-mess-up/760182/68 "2016-08-05T01:07:24Z")
I don’t see the ambiguity. I’m fine if the mods don’t warn each other and I’m fine if **Ed** doesn’t warn them in public. They’re human just like the rest of us and we all make mistakes. If a mod comes back and apologizes, all’s well, AFAIC. As long as wrongdoing is acknowledged. Mods aren’t as likely as some members have been to rack up a big number of violations. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2016, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mods-mess-up/760182/69 "2016-08-05T01:29:56Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > I don’t see the ambiguity. I’m fine if the mods don’t warn each other and I’m fine if **Ed** doesn’t warn them in public. They’re human just like the rest of us and we all make mistakes. If a mod comes back and apologizes, all’s well, AFAIC. As long as wrongdoing is acknowledged. Mods aren’t as likely as some members have been to rack up a big number of violations. If there is no public note for the infraction, then other members (non-moderators) will assume the worst and that the mods are NOT being moderated and can do as they please. WHile Miller took the high road in the other thread in this forum - there is no mention of that in the thread where the infraction occured, which then gives regular members an ability to say ’ hey - that mod said the same thing and THEY didnt get noted’. ---
**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:** [August 5, 2016, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mods-mess-up/760182/70 "2016-08-05T01:32:56Z")
> [@simster](#): > > If there is no public note for the infraction, then other members (non-moderators) will assume the worst and that the mods are NOT being moderated and can do as they please. > > WHile Miller took the high road in the other thread in this forum - there is no mention of that in the thread where the infraction occured, which then gives regular members an ability to say ’ hey - that mod said the same thing and THEY didnt get noted’. Who would assume that? I wouldn’t. ---
**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:** [August 5, 2016, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mods-mess-up/760182/71 "2016-08-05T02:29:32Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > Who would assume that? I wouldn’t. The vast majority of people would assume that moderators post according to the rules. Strange, I know. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2016, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mods-mess-up/760182/72 "2016-08-05T03:50:12Z")
I don’t think he said it publicly, but Ed gave us instructions that we are not to warn or note other mods. If a mod posts something that is actionable (meaning it can be ether warned or noted), whether they are acting as a mod or as a regular poster, we are to notify Ed about the issue. Mods have noted other mods in the past. Ed’s instructions are that we are not to do this now. > [@simster](#): > > If there is no public note for the infraction, then other members (non-moderators) will assume the worst and that the mods are NOT being moderated and can do as they please. That is not a valid assumption. We cannot do as we please. Ed made it clear that we are expected to follow the same rules that we enforce. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2016, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mods-mess-up/760182/73 "2016-08-05T04:41:42Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > I don’t think he said it publicly, but Ed gave us instructions that we are not to warn or note other mods. If a mod posts something that is actionable (meaning it can be ether warned or noted), whether they are acting as a mod or as a regular poster, we are to notify Ed about the issue. > > Mods have noted other mods in the past. Ed’s instructions are that we are not to do this now. > > That is not a valid assumption. We cannot do as we please. Ed made it clear that we are expected to follow the same rules that we enforce. With no note in the thread where the infraction occurs - it appears that the moderator does not abide by the same rules. Infractions are rare - but they do occur - someone coming in later to a thread may see Miller’s comments in GQ and say - hmmm - mods can insult posters, so can I - even more so for new posters that are _not_ aware of the rules or the discussions here. While the moderator may be chastised ‘in the background’ - there is no apparent ‘moderation’ of the thread or moderator in the thread in question. Remember - sometimes the notes/moderation in a thread is as much to tell others what the rules are and to keep the thread in check - its not always ‘just’ about issueing a warning to a particular poster. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2016, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mods-mess-up/760182/74 "2016-08-05T16:05:27Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > I don’t think he said it publicly, but Ed gave us instructions that we are not to warn or note other mods. If a mod posts something that is actionable (meaning it can be ether warned or noted), whether they are acting as a mod or as a regular poster, we are to notify Ed about the issue. > > Mods have noted other mods in the past. Ed’s instructions are that we are not to do this now. > > That is not a valid assumption. We cannot do as we please. Ed made it clear that we are expected to follow the same rules that we enforce. I’m OK with this. And I understand that the mods rarely screw up as badly as Miller and not with the zeal of too many regular posters. Ed absolutely has to make himself visible in the thread when it happens, though. simster is absolutely correct that people cannot be expected to see a moderator insulting people with no note or warning in the thread and just assume that it’s being done offstage. That’s a board-killer level problem. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2016, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mods-mess-up/760182/75 "2016-08-05T16:35:15Z")
I remember once upon a time [some mod] changed the \*offender’s member status temporarily saying ‘Too stupid for words.’ That was a different time, though. \*As I recall, the person had created multiple socks, and was a bit disruptive. Nothing else to add to the thread, though. Just reminiscing. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2016, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mods-mess-up/760182/76 "2016-08-05T16:38:24Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > I’m OK with this. And I understand that the mods rarely screw up as badly as Miller and not with the zeal of too many regular posters. **Miller** is…Miller. I make allowances. ---
**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:** [August 6, 2016, 9:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mods-mess-up/760182/77 "2016-08-06T09:49:00Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > I don’t think he said it publicly, but Ed gave us instructions that we are not to warn or note other mods. If a mod posts something that is actionable (meaning it can be ether warned or noted), whether they are acting as a mod or as a regular poster, we are to notify Ed about the issue. > > Mods have noted other mods in the past. Ed’s instructions are that we are not to do this now. > > That is not a valid assumption. We cannot do as we please. Ed made it clear that we are expected to follow the same rules that we enforce. So, a Mod screws up as a Mod, the other Mod’s report it to Ed who does his stuff. Fine, we don’t need to know what he is doing, but I think for clarity it would help for us to know there was an issue and the Administrators are dealing with it. Is that a big ask? Secondly, if a Mod with Mod hat off screws up, the same applies. Now that rankles a bit- why as a poster are special provisions applied? I understand when Mods post as with Mod hat off they acknowledge they are doing such as a mere mortal and that acknowledgement should remove the Mod shield. Please note that I am not aiming at any person but I find the process rather strange. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mods-mess-up/760182.md?page=3)