# Why is Miller allowed to be a moderator? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [February 1, 2012, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-miller-allowed-to-be-a-moderator/611409 "2012-02-01T10:40:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-miller-allowed-to-be-a-moderator/611409/41 "2012-02-01T20:25:16Z")
Hey, I just realized something! I haven’t been warned by a moderator either! I think I’ll go make a thread complaining and whining about it at ATMB. For What It’s Worth: Count me in the vocal minority that believes moderators should be as snarky and bitchy as they want in their moderating decisions. That’s what Ellen did when she closed my thread (though she wasn’t trying to be rude and no feelings were hurt), and I came here and made a thread about it. So if someone gets butthurt over how a moderator chooses to don his/her moderator hat, they can bring it up here in ATMB and everyone can feel sorry for them. (Or maybe only Shodan will, but hey, at least that’s someone!) ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-miller-allowed-to-be-a-moderator/611409/42 "2012-02-01T20:29:48Z")
[QUOTE=Shodan] Miller came into the thread hoping to find a reason to sanction SA, didn’t find it, and thinks that is regrettable. So he (Miller) abused his position as mod to insult SA, to console himself over not having a legitimate reason to act. [/QUOTE] I disagree. It looked to me as if Miller came into the thread to tell people to stop flooding him with reports about SA and clarify to those people why SA wasn’t being spanked for what he was saying. While he agreed with the sentiment, it wasn’t against board rules, so please stop flooding the mods with reports. I like Miller. He’s a pretty decent mod (then again, I don’t have any serious issues with ANY of the mods, and don’t see why so many of them are so disliked, so grain of salt time). I can see why his note would get SA’s back up, since sometimes there is a blurring of the distinction between a mod being a mod and a mod being a poster. I think this perfectly sums up my own opinion on this: [QUOTE=John Mace] The mods are often condescending on this MB. I guess that can put some people off. I think it’s kind of funny, especially since “condescension” is so much a part of the essence of this board. In the end, though, it’s just a frickin’ message board. If you start taking it too seriously, then you need to let it go for awhile. [/QUOTE] Condescension and snark are the life blood of this board. It would be too weird if the mods, drawn as they are from the ranks of posting 'dopers, WEREN’T condescending and snarky, even in their mod notes. 😛 -XT ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-miller-allowed-to-be-a-moderator/611409/43 "2012-02-01T20:30:54Z")
I suspect Miller came into the thread because it was getting reported, a lot. His ‘regrettably’ was in reference, to all the reporters who felt a line had been crossed, I felt. Who were all, a little bit, praying a line _had_ been crossed, so someone could make it stop. I’m just guessing, of course. SA’s posting style pisses off tons of people, his politics aside. If Miller’s posting style annoys him, I’m not going to get too upset about it. He wasn’t banned, suspended, or even warned. I could convince myself that the pit is a little different and the mods should be given some leeway to be less than delicate, as a result. ---
**Author:** ![tim314](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim314/32/3468_2.png) [@tim314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim314)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-miller-allowed-to-be-a-moderator/611409/44 "2012-02-01T20:36:30Z")
Quit defending child molesters and maybe I’ll have some sympathy for you. ---
**Author:** ![Nancarrow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c37758/32.png) [@Nancarrow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nancarrow)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-miller-allowed-to-be-a-moderator/611409/45 "2012-02-01T20:36:37Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > Which brings us now to his behavior as moderator. Some of you may remember when his mod hat instruction to me upon being told I was hijacking a thread was simply “Starving Artist, Shut Up!” “Starving Artist, Shut Up!” ---
**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:** [February 1, 2012, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-miller-allowed-to-be-a-moderator/611409/46 "2012-02-01T20:39:59Z")
> [@Giraffe](#): > > As much as it pains me to say it, I think **Starving Artist** has a point. Not about **Miller** ’s note or overall moderation (which I think is quite good), but about the board rules that prevent him from responding in kind. I know I’ve banged this particular drum many times already, but I do think situations like this exemplify how the board was better off when the mods’ posts could be challenged or attacked just like those of anyone else. Because right now, you’re left with saying either (a) mods have the power to attack those who can’t fight back or (b) mods must only moderate as emotionless robots. Neither are appealing, IMO. I’ve always liked the mods here being able to editorialize a bit, particularly in the Pit, and I think the board would lose some of its personality if that were no longer the case. FWIW, I agree with you entirely here. I’m kind of bitter that I missed my chance to participate in the “Most Pitted Mod” competitions of yore. > [@elbows](#): > > He wasn’t banned, suspended, or even warned. Hell, he wasn’t even _noted_. My instructions in that thread were to everyone _except_ **Starving Artist**. But if it makes him feel any better, I’m willing to repost what I said in that thread without the moderating tags, so **SA** does not feel constrained from replying as he sees fit. ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-miller-allowed-to-be-a-moderator/611409/47 "2012-02-01T20:52:45Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > FWIW, I agree with you entirely here. Well, to be fair, he couldn’t challenge your moderation in that thread, but he could’ve responded to your insults. (Although why he’d want to challenge your moderating decision that he _wasn’t_ violating the rules is beyond me). He would’ve been perfectly within board guidelines to say “Well, I hear and accept your moderation, but would like to note that you are, as a person, a goatfucker.” We can flame mods in the Pit, just not Pit them for moderation actions, I think. No? ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-miller-allowed-to-be-a-moderator/611409/48 "2012-02-01T20:53:59Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > But if it makes him feel any better, I’m willing to repost what I said in that thread without the moderating tags, so **SA** does not feel constrained from replying as he sees fit. Or in the words of Sgt. Hulka, “I’ll take off my hat.” ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-miller-allowed-to-be-a-moderator/611409/49 "2012-02-01T20:56:23Z")
[QUOTE=FinnAgain] He would’ve been perfectly within board guidelines to say “Well, I hear and accept your moderation, but would like to note that you are, as a person, a goatfucker.” [/QUOTE] :eek: As long as no descriptions on the best way to fuck said goat were given. (actually, it might be against board rules, since ‘motherfucker’ is :p) -XT ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-miller-allowed-to-be-a-moderator/611409/50 "2012-02-01T21:17:44Z")
Are you callin’ my mother a _goat_? ---
**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:** [February 1, 2012, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-miller-allowed-to-be-a-moderator/611409/51 "2012-02-01T21:25:55Z")
Alright guys… now we’re going to need a thread on the physics of goat fucking! F = m\*\*naaaaaaaaaay\* ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-miller-allowed-to-be-a-moderator/611409/52 "2012-02-01T21:51:46Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > FWIW, I agree with you entirely here. I’m kind of bitter that I missed my chance to participate in the “Most Pitted Mod” competitions of yore. Meh, you’re too likeable to have a chance. You’d be lucky if you tied **fluiddruid**. 😛 > [@FinnAgain](#): > > Well, to be fair, he couldn’t challenge your moderation in that thread, but he could’ve responded to your insults. (Although why he’d want to challenge your moderating decision that he _wasn’t_ violating the rules is beyond me). > > He would’ve been perfectly within board guidelines to say “Well, I hear and accept your moderation, but would like to note that you are, as a person, a goatfucker.” > We can flame mods in the Pit, just not Pit them for moderation actions, I think. > No? The staff can correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe the exact opposite is true. They’ve said that we can Pit mods for things they post as regular posters, but not for the posts they make as mods. This can be reasonably interpreted to cover the entirety of their posts, i.e. the insults as well as the instructions. I’m also pretty certain you can’t Pit them as people, if your opinion about them as people is coming from their moderator actions. Allowing either one of these loopholes would essentially circumvent the whole “no Pitting mods” rule in the first place. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-miller-allowed-to-be-a-moderator/611409/53 "2012-02-01T22:57:16Z")
How about a vote on whether to make SA a moderator or ban him entirely? ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-miller-allowed-to-be-a-moderator/611409/54 "2012-02-01T23:00:36Z")
I’d vote to make him a moderator. I can’t think of a worst fate, to be honest, and it might give him some perspective on how tough it is. I don’t think the coffee cup is worth the pain. In fact, I’d give a lot of the folks who complain in this forum about the mods the chance to feel the joy as well. 😛 -XT ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-miller-allowed-to-be-a-moderator/611409/55 "2012-02-01T23:28:13Z")
I weep for the 50’s – a quiet time in America with no child-molesters, wife-beaters, drugs or STDs, unwanted pregnancies and most of all, no Internet or **SAs** to remind us of those great times. A time when butt-fucking a child was akin to using paper-roll tubes to get your mojo on. \*:::sigh::: \* Men were men and little else mattered. ---
**Author:** ![Otara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a88e4f/32.png) [@Otara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otara)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-miller-allowed-to-be-a-moderator/611409/56 "2012-02-01T23:29:48Z")
Being a mod is a tough gig, but no-one gets forced to do it. I like Miller, but disagree with the mod comment as it stood. Otara ---
**Author:** ![Trepa\_Mayfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/edb3f5/32.png) [@Trepa\_Mayfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trepa_Mayfield)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-miller-allowed-to-be-a-moderator/611409/57 "2012-02-02T00:46:39Z")
And once again, Miller reminds me why he is my favorite mod. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-miller-allowed-to-be-a-moderator/611409/58 "2012-02-02T01:20:02Z")
> [@Otara](#): > > Being a mod is a tough gig, but no-one gets forced to do it. You can believe that if you want, but I happen to know that **miller’s** mom is bound and gagged in Zotti’s barnhouse basement. Forced? You decide. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-miller-allowed-to-be-a-moderator/611409/59 "2012-02-02T01:21:24Z")
> [@xtisme](#): > > I’d vote to make him a moderator. I can’t think of a worst fate, to be honest, and it might give him some perspective on how tough it is. I don’t think the coffee cup is worth the pain. > > In fact, I’d give a lot of the folks who complain in this forum about the mods the chance to feel the joy as well. 😛 > > -XT I don’t know that being a mod in the Pit where almost anything goes is all that taxing. IMO that’s why the most popular mods are the Pit mods. And you people do NOT want me as a mod. You’d lose your most cherished dishonest debating practices. No more lying about or miscaracterizing what other posters have said (why is this allowed anyway, given the stringent rule about changing quotes? I may have to start a thread here about it), no more flat out lying about what other posters have said, and no more bogus cite demands. Most of you would be as helpless as hand-wavers forced to sit on their hands while they speak. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-miller-allowed-to-be-a-moderator/611409/60 "2012-02-02T01:32:56Z")
> [@xtisme](#): > > I disagree. It looked to me as if Miller came into the thread to tell people to stop flooding him with reports about SA and clarify to those people why SA wasn’t being spanked for what he was saying. While he agreed with the sentiment, it wasn’t against board rules, so please stop flooding the mods with reports. Given the context, which was that he was being flooded with requests to ban me, it looked to me like he was saying 'Nope, tragic as it is I can’t ban him for this. But be patient, he’ll fuck up and make a mistake eventually, and as soon as he does, he’s _outta here_! > [@xtisme](#): > > I like Miller. He’s a pretty decent mod (then again, I don’t have any serious issues with ANY of the mods, and don’t see why so many of them are so disliked, so grain of salt time). I can see why his note would get SA’s back up, since sometimes there is a blurring of the distinction between a mod being a mod and a mod being a poster. > > I think this perfectly sums up my own opinion on this: > > Condescension and snark are the life blood of this board. It would be too weird if the mods, drawn as they are from the ranks of posting 'dopers, WEREN’T condescending and snarky, even in their mod notes. 😛 > > -XT In that case posters should be allowed to respond in kind. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-miller-allowed-to-be-a-moderator/611409.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-miller-allowed-to-be-a-moderator/611409.md?page=4)