# 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:** 11
**Author:** ![Darth\_Nader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Darth\_Nader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Nader)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/201 "2008-09-10T21:29:54Z")
I’ll probably get banned for that. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/202 "2008-09-10T21:30:02Z")
As a rule, I don’t pay much attention to bannings, but this one seems entirely capricious and unjustified. Add my voice to the chorus requesting that **Otto** be reinstated. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/203 "2008-09-10T21:31:23Z")
> [@fluiddruid](#): > > For those of you who are not aware, I’ll chime in that Otto was a problematic poster at best. He had received a ‘final warning’ in the past, had a lot of warnings under his belt, and the moderation staff had discussed his banning previously (though, obviously, never acted). So what? Ed said complaining would get you banned without warning. What does a previous warning have to do with it? In every other banning that was imposed as a result of cumulative transgressions, they have been cited as cause. This one had no such citation. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/204 "2008-09-10T21:31:27Z")
I thought this place was better than this. This banning was nothing more than a knee-jerk temper tantrum and an obvious abuse of power. What a shame. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/205 "2008-09-10T21:32:54Z")
It’s kind of funny to see an admin blow a classic flameout, though. Unfortunately there won’t be a banning denouement, but from a sociological standpoint it’s quite interesting. ---
**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, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/206 "2008-09-10T21:34:36Z")
> [@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 OK, and since he’s still logged in, he shows as online. That’d make sense. Banning doesn’t mean you can never read the board again, by the way. Once he logs out (if it lets him in far enough to do that) or deletes his SDMB cookie, he’ll be able to read it, if he wants to. ---
**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, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/207 "2008-09-10T21:35:37Z")
> [@Omegaman](#): > > 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. As happens often, I don’t understand you very well. I think we speak a different language. I was just pointing out the fact that Frank was no longer a Mod. No comment on what that meant. Then I posted why I disagree with **Frank**. Just my opinion. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/208 "2008-09-10T21:35:43Z")
I’m saddened by this banning. I don’t like **Otto** , so I want to be dancing and pissing (at the same time!) on his membership’s grave. Unhappily, his termination was a gargantuan act of douchebaggery by the illustrious Mr. Zotti. I can’t properly rejoice in it, as a result. ---
**Author:** ![Noone\_Special](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/noone_special/32/2863_2.png) [@Noone\_Special](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Noone_Special)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/209 "2008-09-10T21:39:10Z")
The multiple, incessant whining about the upgrade and how things have shaped up so far? IMO dumb, juvenile and out of place (I’m currently in the process of trying to finish up an upgrade of a customer site for my own employer. It’s taking longer than we thought… :o) I think \*\*Jerry \*\*has been doing yeoman’s work, has been updating us more than sufficiently, and has been keeping an even temper in what must be frustrating circumstances for him even without the stupid bitching and sniping. But, the complaining is _also_ human nature, and I’m not truly surprised by it. The decree that whiners will be banned? A bit harsh IMO, but I get the reasoning behind it. **Otto** ’s post? Who was he attacking exactly. **Where did he even mention the words _upgrade_, _problems_ or _performance_!?** 😕 **Ed** ’s knee-jerk banning of **Otto**? Dumb. Stupid. Idiotic. Moronic. Also despicable. But… still better than his continued reactions later! :mad: ☹ :eek: All of this having been said… \*\*Ed \*\*-- I’ve always had the utmost respect for you as both an administrator of this board and a person. In many cases, you’ve waded into various kerfuffles here and restored order and sanity. **By being levelheaded, rational and willing to hear us**. But you dropped the ball here. Big time. I have to ask, in all seriousness – what happened? Really, I really really hope this was just a bad day. I really really hope you recognize this was a bad, bad decision and restore \*\*Otto \*\*ASAP. Because otherwise, I’m with others who say the tone of the boards will be changed – into a culture of fear – forever, or for as long as the boards last under it. Which may turn out not to be long. ---
**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, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/210 "2008-09-10T21:39:41Z")
> [@UncleBeer](#): > > 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? Your post in the other thread was a great example of why I continue to hold you in low regard. Just because we already don’t like each other, means I shouldn’t say anything? You might as well go back to what you were doing. Kissing up to Ed at least made some sort of perverted sense. This bullshit makes none. ---
**Author:** ![neutron\_star](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/51bf81/32.png) [@neutron\_star](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neutron_star)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/211 "2008-09-10T21:43:40Z")
Count me as another voice added to the chorus. **Otto** was mostly an alright guy and didn’t deserve to be banned. I’m wondering if it might have less to do with what he said and more to do with this: > [@Amazon](#): > > The Barn House: Confessions of an Urban Rehabber (Hardcover) > by Ed Zotti (Author) > > Publisher: NAL Hardcover (September 2, 2008) > . > . > . > **[Amazon.com](http://Amazon.com) Sales Rank: #17,880 in Books** (See Bestsellers in Books) > > Popular in this category: (What’s this?) > **#21 in Books \> Home & Garden \> Home Design \> Remodeling & Renovation** ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/212 "2008-09-10T21:45:16Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > I know I wouldn’t have spent as much time here if I had realized it was essentially one individual’s vanity site. Exactly. I’m embarrassed to say that that never ever occurred to me. Especially considering that we have been told over and over that the owners make the decisions, and the admins have nothing to do with it. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/213 "2008-09-10T21:45:36Z")
> [@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 When I was suspended I was unable to access the boards using my account. It immediately went to a “you do not have permission to view this page” screen. By contrast, when I let my account lapse I could still sign in as a guest and even subscribe to threads using the now defunct thread tools dropdown. ---
**Author:** ![Kid\_A\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Kid\_A\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kid_A_1)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/214 "2008-09-10T21:48:06Z")
Just wondering…does everyone else see the same Google ad at the bottom? [TheyBannedMe.com](http://TheyBannedMe.com) The home for banned trolls, flamers asshats and d-bags. [www.TheyBannedMe.com](http://www.TheyBannedMe.com) 😕 ---
**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, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/215 "2008-09-10T21:48:46Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > When I was suspended I was unable to access the boards using my account. It immediately went to a “you do not have permission to view this page” screen. > > By contrast, when I let my account lapse I could still sign in as a guest and even subscribe to threads using the now defunct thread tools dropdown. Somewhere several posts back, \*\*Frank \*\*indicated that if you deleted your cookie, you would have been able to read the dope as a guest, just not post while **Banned**. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/216 "2008-09-10T21:50:05Z")
> [@Charlie\_Tan](#): > > 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. **Ed** is having a bad day and pointed his banstick at the first one he saw touch on the newly-minted rule. As I said upthread, people being summarily banned by an admin having a bad day is nothing new. Here’s hoping that, as with the previous instance ( **Lynn** pointing her banstick at anyone who dared crack a joke in the Pit), **Otto** will be back in 30 days. ---
**Author:** ![TWDuke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e495f1/32.png) [@TWDuke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TWDuke)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/217 "2008-09-10T21:55:14Z")
> [@MadPansy64](#): > > Ed, you’re the big boss, right? I’m open to correction, but I thought Mr. Zotti was an employee of [Creative Loafing](http://www.hoovers.com/Creative-Loafing,-Inc./--HD __fckjfkysh,src__ dbi--/free-co-dnb_factsheet.xhtml), the corporate owner of the Chicago Reader. ---
**Author:** ![buttonjockey308](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bcef8e/32.png) [@buttonjockey308](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buttonjockey308)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/218 "2008-09-10T21:58:26Z")
Bullshit. The entire thing. Don’t know Otto, don’t frankly give 1/64th of a shit about Otto. I thought, once, that this board had more integrity than to do low-brow crap like that. It seems little Eddie Pissypants has proven me wrong. Shame, that. ---
**Author:** ![Orbifold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/779978/32.png) [@Orbifold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orbifold)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/219 "2008-09-10T21:59:16Z")
I’ve supported the moderation policy of this site in the past, and generally still do so. And I want to make it clear that anything I say now is not meant to reflect on the usually thankless job that Jerry is doing. That said: Ed, that was petty, vindictive, and childish. Grow up. ---
**Author:** ![Anduinel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Anduinel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anduinel)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/220 "2008-09-10T22:03:32Z")
What a tool. Makes me glad I never paid for a membership here. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971.md?page=12)