# Why was the "Your opinion of the language restrictions in the Pit" thread closed **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [June 12, 2012, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-the-your-opinion-of-the-language-restrictions-in-the-pit-thread-closed/624921 "2012-06-12T15:06:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-the-your-opinion-of-the-language-restrictions-in-the-pit-thread-closed/624921/1 "2012-06-12T15:06:55Z")
…instead of just moved to IMHO? If, for some reason, doing the 3 clicks to move the thread is harder than the two clicks to close the thread, would it be ok to just start a new thread there? Also, why in the world aren’t poll options open in every forum? What could it possibly hurt? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-the-your-opinion-of-the-language-restrictions-in-the-pit-thread-closed/624921/2 "2012-06-12T15:13:59Z")
> [@Fenris](#): > > …instead of just moved to IMHO? > > If, for some reason, doing the 3 clicks to move the thread is harder than the two clicks to close the thread, would it be ok to just start a new thread there? I’m not a moderator, but I would guess that it is because discussion about the message board belongs in this forum and not IMHO, and such discussion _will_ happen in such a poll/thread. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-the-your-opinion-of-the-language-restrictions-in-the-pit-thread-closed/624921/3 "2012-06-12T15:20:48Z")
Polls in ATMB usually indicate that most posters (or most that care to vote) disagree with the mods /admins - this is due to the questions that are picked, not because posters disagree with mods on everything. Anyway, the mods aren’t really interested in allowing posters having a way to show just how much they disagree with them, as it doesn’t suit their purpsoes. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-the-your-opinion-of-the-language-restrictions-in-the-pit-thread-closed/624921/4 "2012-06-12T15:23:59Z")
In fairness, I don’t think that sort of poll has ever been allowed in ATMB. I may have missed them, but I don’t remember any. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-the-your-opinion-of-the-language-restrictions-in-the-pit-thread-closed/624921/5 "2012-06-12T15:37:24Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > I’m not a moderator, but I would guess that it is because discussion about the message board belongs in this forum and not IMHO, and such discussion _will_ happen in such a poll/thread. I love the idea of a messageboard claiming an intellectual bent having forbidden topics of discussion. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-the-your-opinion-of-the-language-restrictions-in-the-pit-thread-closed/624921/6 "2012-06-12T15:38:23Z")
> [@Fenris](#): > > Also, why in the world aren’t poll options open in every forum? What could it possibly hurt? So, we should allow poster to vote on what the correct answer is to a General Question?☹ ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-the-your-opinion-of-the-language-restrictions-in-the-pit-thread-closed/624921/7 "2012-06-12T16:01:35Z")
What _harm_ would it do? Seriously Sam–the poll numbers don’t carry more weight for most people and the ones who just look at the number and assume “popular=right” wouldn’t be swayed by reason’s sweet song anyway? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-the-your-opinion-of-the-language-restrictions-in-the-pit-thread-closed/624921/8 "2012-06-12T16:06:57Z")
> [@Fenris](#): > > What _harm_ would it do? Back to this hoary old argument again? There is a crapload of things people could do that wouldn’t bring any actual harm to anyone, but having a _structured_ forum setup is usually preferred by some, believe it or not. ---
**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:** [June 12, 2012, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-the-your-opinion-of-the-language-restrictions-in-the-pit-thread-closed/624921/9 "2012-06-12T16:14:51Z")
> [@Darth\_Panda](#): > > Polls in ATMB usually indicate that most posters (or most that care to vote) disagree with the mods /admins - this is due to the questions that are picked, not because posters disagree with mods on everything. Anyway, the mods aren’t really interested in allowing posters having a way to show just how much they disagree with them, as it doesn’t suit their purpsoes. No. Actually we give amazing leeway to people with protests, especially when you consider on a lot of other boards complaints get you banned. There is no polling in ATMB. The poll function is turned on so people can do test polls, to experiment with it. But no functional polls are allowed in ATMB. Let me say that again: Polling for its own sake is not allowed in ATMB. Since complaints about moderators and board policies are in ATMB and not in IMHO we couldn’t ship the thread over there. Not a lot of options left. ---
**Author:** ![bucketybuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@bucketybuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bucketybuck)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-the-your-opinion-of-the-language-restrictions-in-the-pit-thread-closed/624921/10 "2012-06-12T16:23:46Z")
> [@TubaDiva](#): > > No. > > Actually we give amazing leeway to people with protests, especially when you consider on a lot of other boards complaints get you banned. > > There is no polling in ATMB. > > The poll function is turned on so people can do test polls, to experiment with it. But no functional polls are allowed in ATMB. > > Let me say that again: Polling for its own sake is not allowed in ATMB. > > Since complaints about moderators and board policies are in ATMB and not in IMHO we couldn’t ship the thread over there. > > Not a lot of options left. Basically members are denied the ability to guage boardwide opinion on matters relating the administration of the board. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-the-your-opinion-of-the-language-restrictions-in-the-pit-thread-closed/624921/11 "2012-06-12T16:26:16Z")
> [@bucketybuck](#): > > Basically members are denied the ability to guage boardwide opinion on matters relating the administration of the board. Basically polls are a piss-poor method to gauge boardwide opinions on _any_ subject. ---
**Author:** ![Rebo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rebo/32/13005_2.png) [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-the-your-opinion-of-the-language-restrictions-in-the-pit-thread-closed/624921/12 "2012-06-12T16:26:55Z")
> [@TubaDiva](#): > > Let me say that again: Polling for its own sake is not allowed in ATMB. Why? ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-the-your-opinion-of-the-language-restrictions-in-the-pit-thread-closed/624921/13 "2012-06-12T16:30:54Z")
> [@TubaDiva](#): > > Since complaints about moderators and board policies are in ATMB and not in IMHO we couldn’t ship the thread over there. > > Not a lot of options left. Generally, when people use the “my hands are tied” excuse, they didn’t buy and knot the rope themselves. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-the-your-opinion-of-the-language-restrictions-in-the-pit-thread-closed/624921/14 "2012-06-12T16:33:50Z")
> [@TubaDiva](#): > > No. > > Actually we give amazing leeway to people with protests, especially when you consider on a lot of other boards complaints get you banned. > > There is no polling in ATMB. > > The poll function is turned on so people can do test polls, to experiment with it. But no functional polls are allowed in ATMB. > > Let me say that again: Polling for its own sake is not allowed in ATMB. > > Since complaints about moderators and board policies are in ATMB and not in IMHO we couldn’t ship the thread over there. > > Not a lot of options left. I don’t disagree with any of this except for the word “no.” The board does allow people to complain, it is more flexible in this regard than many places, and it does allow test polls in ATMB. All well and good. But you DO NOT allow people to take polls regarding opinions of posters with regards to board/mod/admin decisions. The reason that you don’t is because you don’t want to. Are you seriously claiming that you really do want to? Your response is pretty idiotic when you think about it. How can you claim to have any reason to forbid polling other than not wanting to see the results of the poll? ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-the-your-opinion-of-the-language-restrictions-in-the-pit-thread-closed/624921/15 "2012-06-12T16:37:31Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Back to this hoary old argument again? There is a crapload of things people could do that wouldn’t bring any actual harm to anyone, but having a _structured_ forum setup is usually preferred by some, believe it or not. And hey, here it is again folks–the regular kneejerk “Any change whatsoever is automatically bad. Even _discussing the possibility_ of change is terrifying” post that Czar makes every single time\* someone discusses changing/tweaking/examining _any_ board function. I’m curious. Do you use a macro or a text-generator for your “Bad idea! No change! No talking about it! We can’t do it! Change scary!!!” posts? Because since they’re the same content-free smarm, I can’t imagine you’re actually typing it out fresh each time. \*Hyperbole, but not all that much ---
**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:** [June 12, 2012, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-the-your-opinion-of-the-language-restrictions-in-the-pit-thread-closed/624921/16 "2012-06-12T16:38:00Z")
I’m actively campaigning for your vote! I’d offer you hookers and blow but the staff got it all. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-the-your-opinion-of-the-language-restrictions-in-the-pit-thread-closed/624921/17 "2012-06-12T16:40:27Z")
Unbelievable. I started said poll after **Czarcasm** (czarcastically) suggested that few posters care about this issue and wanted a cite as to whether they do or not. I go and attempt to provide said cite, and it gets locked because of this idiotic rule. I kind of feel hung out to dry on something akin to the Liar’s Paradox: “I want to poll board members about board issue X” _You can’t do polls like that in ATMB._ “Fine-I’ll do it in IMHO, where polls soliciting opinions usually go.” _You can’t comment on board matters outside of ATMB._ “ERROR! ERROR! ILLOGICAL! ILLOGICAL! ED COORDINATE PLEASE COORDINATE!” :smack::rolleyes::mad: _Logic is a little bird tweeting in a meadow. Logic is a wreath of pretty flowers, which smell bad._ \ As time passes, the rules for this place make less and less sense and become more and more onerous, contradictory, and oppressive. Somebody really needs to come in and unf\*\*\* things, but of course I know that isn’t going to happen, mainly because the one person who could apparently doesn’t give a flying F, and rarely deigns to dirty his hands mingling with the madding hordes of the lumpen proletariat anyway… ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-the-your-opinion-of-the-language-restrictions-in-the-pit-thread-closed/624921/18 "2012-06-12T16:43:31Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Basically polls are a piss-poor method to gauge boardwide opinions on _any_ subject. And your perfect method for doing would be what, again? You wanted a cite-what form should said cite take? Please be specific. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-the-your-opinion-of-the-language-restrictions-in-the-pit-thread-closed/624921/19 "2012-06-12T16:45:15Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Basically polls are a piss-poor method to gauge boardwide opinions on _any_ subject. Yes. We understand your opinion of polls. But let’s try to explain for you. You see, there’s something called “discussion” that can _also_ happen in threads that have polls. You vote _then discuss!_ 🙂 Poll AND talk. Together! IN THE SAME THREAD! :eek: A MODERN MIRACLE OF THE COMPUTER AGE! See how simple that is?:)🙂 I know that during your tenure as a mod, you couldn’t grasp that fact, as you often closed down polls or randomly warned people when people voted and _also discussed the issue_, but luckily no other mod \*(or poster, as far as I know) before or since has that bizarre inability to realize that posting and polling can be done together and no other mod has even tried to enforce that silly attempt at a rule. Because everyone else knows that (let’s say it together) “Discussion can happen in _the very same thread_ as a poll!!! :)”. Did that help? ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-the-your-opinion-of-the-language-restrictions-in-the-pit-thread-closed/624921/20 "2012-06-12T16:48:38Z")
> [@Fenris](#): > > Did that help? I suggest we take a poll and see what people think the response is. I predict that **Czarcasm** would be amazed by just how accurate those poll results would be. OMG, they do work! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-the-your-opinion-of-the-language-restrictions-in-the-pit-thread-closed/624921.md?page=2)