# WTF? Otto was just banned by Ed. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 10, 2008, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971 "2008-09-10T18:35:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![Daerlyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Daerlyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daerlyn)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/181 "2008-09-10T21:18:33Z")
> [@alexandra](#): > > I’m actually kind of … sad. :o I was geekily excited about being able to post on this board again after lurking for years and years, and seriously cut down my activity on livejournal to focus on here. > > Now, people can be spontaneously (no I don’t believe it was justified or indeed there was much long-term history taken into account) banned and the admin is threatening to completely forbid discussion of moderating decisions. > > Because…why? Because the brouhaha over the Barn House must have been a little embarassing for Zotti? Come on, now. It can’t have been that embarassing, considering that I (and I’m probably not the only one) was totally oblivious to it until now. I was no big fan of Otto either, but this is ridiculous. ETA: also subscribing, and to point out that I’m snarking at Ed, not **alexandra** ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/182 "2008-09-10T21:18:46Z")
Subscribing. Thread tools don’t work. ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/183 "2008-09-10T21:19:14Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > **Otto** should have been banned a long time ago. > > If his banning is the harbringer of _real_ enforcement of the “Don’t be a jerk” rule returning, I’m all for it. Not over his post in ATMB though. which is what happened. ---
**Author:** ![Nutty\_Bunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d07c76/32.png) [@Nutty\_Bunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nutty_Bunny)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/184 "2008-09-10T21:19:15Z")
> [@THespos](#): > > You can join **Guin** in re-reading my post. > > I never said that Otto’s post was a personal attack. I never attempted to say that banning Otto for what he did was justified or unjustified. I asked folks to consider the bigger picture. I understand that Ed was upset when people were complaining before everything was completely fixed. I get that. All I know is that I don’t want to be on the receiving end of someone’s hair trigger banning finger, nor do I want to witness anyone else’s banning for something fucking ridiculous. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/185 "2008-09-10T21:19:16Z")
I thought that the way Otto, elbows, et al conducted themselves in Ed’s thread announcing the publication of The Barn House, was utterly, stupendously classless. Ed was obviously riding high and and proud of his labor of love, and what do these people do? They shit on him. In his own home. [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=481632](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=481632) And while I can see how people can be indignant over what appears to be an over-reaction by Ed this last time, I can only say that if you insult the host one time too many, you shouldn’t be too surprised to find yourself on your ass on the front lawn. As a parent, I can completely relate. I think Ed had taken punch after punch and had finally had. enough. Otto just happened to be there, provoking him, when his hairy eyeball reared its ugly head. It could have been any number of people who participated in the BarnBurning or the Let’s Lynch Jerry thread. It happened to be Otto. Bum his luck. But he’s not blameless. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/186 "2008-09-10T21:19:22Z")
> [@UncleBeer](#): > > Why do you care? You and Ed can do whatever you like in private, but you shouldn’t do it out on the street where everyone can see you. It’s kinda gross-looking, y’know. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/187 "2008-09-10T21:19:42Z")
Well apparently people are showing different means of their displeasure. Some are here bitching or asking for Ed to reconsider his action. Some are saying goodbye, which is sad and bad for the dope. Then a few are taking it to the next level. In the \*\*WARNING - stop whining \*\*thread. [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=10179561&postcount=31](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=10179561&postcount=31) > [@the\_PC\_apeman](#): > > **Ed** , I understand you’re angry and I don’t blame you for that. You take a lot of shit and so do people for whom you seem to have sincere affection. But you should have stepped away from the keyboard. What you did was capricious and inappropriate in this consumer’s eyes. You’ve just made it clear that this is nothing but your vanity site but with ever diminishing charm. You screwed up. > > About the only thing I know about **Otto** is his user name is a palindrome. However… > > I’m [del]Spartacus[/del] Otto. > …and so’s my wife! \ Bye! There is a white font message at the bottom, highlight to read. In the \*\*Ordered Today \*\*thread in the Barn House. [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=10179572&postcount=12](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=10179572&postcount=12) > [@Ordered today](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordered-today/462102/12): > > UPS brought it by today. > > I refused to sign. Sent it back to [Amazon.com](http://Amazon.com). > > Timing, folks. This would be a really good time for \*\*Ed \*\*to reconsider his decision. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/188 "2008-09-10T21:21:16Z")
> [@Chez\_Guevara](#): > > A technical question. > > If **Otto** is indeed banned, why is he currently showing as online? Got me, I can’t imagine. Must be a technical glitch. 😛 Maybe he’ll show as online till whenever he closes his browser. (I’m guessing.) ---
**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:** [September 10, 2008, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/189 "2008-09-10T21:22:08Z")
> [@Little\_Plastic\_Ninja](#): > > Dude. > > I didn’t always see eye to eye with **Otto** and he could be a dick, but that banning was beyond the pale for me. I’ve disagreed with bannings here before but I don’t think I’ve ever yet spoken up. > > That was beyond unreasonable, in my opinion. And while I’d normally call shenanigans on leaving the board because a moderator did something like this, it was Ed. I’ll be reviewing whether I intend to spend further money in a place that bans people for a comment like that. This. ---
**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:** [September 10, 2008, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/190 "2008-09-10T21:22:29Z")
Ed, I hope that you will re-consider your decision. I realize that you are under a lot of pressure, and I quite agree that the general bitching about Jerry and the mods is far out of line. However, I submit that your decision concerning Otto’s query was made in the heat of the moment, rather than made on an objective basis. ---
**Author:** ![NineToTheSky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5a626/32.png) [@NineToTheSky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NineToTheSky)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/191 "2008-09-10T21:22:52Z")
> [@PunditLisa](#): > > **As a parent, I can completely relate.** I think Ed had taken punch after punch and had finally had. enough. Otto just happened to be there, provoking him, when his hairy eyeball reared its ugly head. It could have been any number of people who participated in the BarnBurning or the Let’s Lynch Jerry thread. It happened to be Otto. > > Bum his luck. But he’s not blameless. (my bolding) But you see - that’s it: Ed isn’t a child. He’s an adult, and should react like one. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/192 "2008-09-10T21:24:20Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > Got me, I can’t imagine. Must be a technical glitch. 😛 > > Maybe he’ll show as online till whenever he closes his browser. (I’m guessing.) I don’t know how it works, but when I was typing the OP, he went offline and have resurfaced again. I don’t think closing the browser is the answer. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/193 "2008-09-10T21:26:04Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Under normal circumstances I’d cheerfully agree with you except the attitude expressed isn’t “don’t be a jerk”, it’s “don’t piss me off!” and that makes me uneasy, since it suggests a short-tempered admin who will lash out arbitrarily. In fact, my just calling him “short-tempered” might get _me_ banned, if he’s in the mood to do so. That’s a good point, but, believe me, **Ed** knows perfectly well who **Otto** is. **Otto** ’s been walking on the edge for years. ---
**Author:** ![Omegaman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e480ec/32.png) [@Omegaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omegaman)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/194 "2008-09-10T21:26:20Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > \*\*Frank \*\*is not a mod. Check his title. He stepped down a few weeks back. > > I also disagree with \*\*Frank \*\*on this. If \*\*Otto \*\*goes, how many more are then on the cut list? He picked a piss poor time and location to post a bitchy question, but it did not deserve the nuclear option. > > ETA: This thread is moving too quick for me. Yeah, He’s not a mod. But if you don’t respect his opinion as being a mod, what the fuck? His opinion counts just like he was one, to me, not to mention he’s been here for fucking ever. You and I don’t see the volumne of posts he would and now that he’s one of us maybe he’ll share his PERSPECTIVE. I capped it because it’s something that only the individual sees.Or maybe he won’t. Doesn’t matter much because he didn’t call it. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/195 "2008-09-10T21:26:46Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > You and Ed can do whatever you like in private, but you shouldn’t do it out on the street where everyone can see you. It’s kinda gross-looking, y’know. Again, why do you care? May we just go back to our mutual disregard for each other? Or are you looking to rekindle that old fire? ---
**Author:** ![MadPansy64](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@MadPansy64](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadPansy64)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/196 "2008-09-10T21:26:51Z")
I’m all in favor of suspending or banning anyone who is nasty to Jerry. I’ve “fired” clients/customers who were rude to my staff. Be as nasty to me as you want, as long as your check clears, fine, but I will not tolerate abusing my staff. If Otto had snarked at Jerry, I’d have banned his ass, too. Otto did not snark at Jerry. Otto asked a question while not displaying his fawning admiration for Ed. I won’t miss Otto, but the so-called reason for his banning is utterly fucking ridiculous. Ed, you’re the big boss, right? Then perhaps you need to man up a bit just to be have balls as big as a (female) Pansy. Supporting your staff is noble, but that isn’t what you seem to be doing. I will continue to pay $14.95 to not see the ads, I won’t buy your book, I won’t participate in the “yay Ed” fora, and I damn sure won’t ever blow you, even figuratively. You are a nasty, egotistical jerk who needs his butt smacked and sent to timeout until you can act like a grown up. My current project is a 100 year old North Dakota farmhouse, but since it’s my third rehab, I suspect I’ll muddle through somehow. So you’re a nasty little brat who blew another sale. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/197 "2008-09-10T21:27:27Z")
\ Maybe when you get banned you can log in but your posting rules say: You **may not** post new threads You **may not** post replies You **may not** post attachments You **may not** edit your posts ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/198 "2008-09-10T21:29:05Z")
> [@Omegaman](#): > > Is he that bad, **Frank**? Yes. I think he’s in the top five of jerks on the board. > [@](#): > > Fuckin’ bloody hell. What do you think of the rest of us? Now that I’m not a mod, I mostly don’t think of you at all. 🆒 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Uvula\_Donor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e19adc/32.png) [@Uvula\_Donor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uvula_Donor)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/199 "2008-09-10T21:29:21Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > \ > > Maybe when you get banned you can log in but your posting rules say: > > You **may not** post new threads > You **may not** post replies > You **may not** post attachments > You **may not** edit your posts I dunno. Let’s ask **Otto**. Whoops. Never mind. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/200 "2008-09-10T21:29:30Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > Ed, I hope that you will re-consider your decision. I can only speak for myself, but Ed un-banning Otto (a poster I have no affection for) is not the issue. I don’t care if Otto ever posts here again. It’s about how they treat the posters. Either Otto is a jerk, deserving of banning, or Ed is a thin-skinned hypocrite. If you can fathom another POV, I’m willing to evaluate that POV. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971.md?page=11)