# 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:** 16
**Author:** ![mutantmoose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a87d85/32.png) [@mutantmoose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mutantmoose)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/301 "2008-09-10T23:29:22Z")
> [@](#): > > So you’d be OK with an “Ask a stupid question, get banned” rule? ok, it was possibly a little harsh an interpretation of the rule but it was still a stupid question. ---
**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, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/302 "2008-09-10T23:29:46Z")
> [@mr.jp](#): > > You mean the “don’t make rude remarks about the mods and admins” rule? Because those two things are not really the same to me. This was the reason Ed gave for banning **Otto** , in it’s entirety – > [@](#): > > The above constitutes snark in my book, Otto. Goodbye. ---
**Author:** ![mr.jp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/48db29/32.png) [@mr.jp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mr.jp)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/303 "2008-09-10T23:31:20Z")
> [@Contrapuntal](#): > > This was the reason Ed gave for banning **Otto** , in it’s entirety – I know. I just don’t know of any rule with the wording you described. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/304 "2008-09-10T23:31:29Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > Guys, I’m willing to give **Ed** the benefit of the doubt for right now. I’ve read several of his posts in locked ATMB threads and I think there’s more going on than we know right now. > > It’s possible **Otto** got on \*\*Ed’\*\*s last nerve. It’s possible **Ed** just snapped. But this is not the **Ed** we know, and there’s something strange going on. > > I’m hoping in a few days, when everyone’s had a chance to calm down, we’ll figure out what’s going on and **Otto** can come back. > > [Link](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=10180038&postcount=4) > > [Another link](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=10179858&postcount=4) > > [Link, especially the last sentence.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=10179237&postcount=25) Having given this some thought, I agree with this analysis. I am still absenting the boards in the meantime as I no longer feel safe posting anything even remotely related to the administration of the board outside the BBQ Pit for fear of being capriciously banned, and I’m not happy being on a board with a rule like that. I hope that whatever bad juju is going on in **Ed** ’s life right now clears up soon, and I hope he comes to his senses and fixes this situation right quick. Later, y’all. ---
**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, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/305 "2008-09-10T23:31:59Z")
This is all so, so sad. Did it really have to come down to all this? ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/306 "2008-09-10T23:33:35Z")
You know, I really kind of like **Otto** and I just can’t muster any outrage for this. When I was a kid my dad used to say that he who has the biggest stick, wins. Well, Ed has the biggest stick. This is his site. He has invested time to improve it. Jerry has invested time to improve it. They are currently working to improve it. And yet, people just bitch, bitch, bitch about every little thing. And please, spare me the ‘I’m a paying customer!!!’ bullshit. I’ve subscribed every year since the board went P2P, have bought all the books, and that total is still less than I spend on lunch in a week. Give me a friggin break - $15/year (or $7.50) is an absolute pittance - and yet some people seem to expect gold plated posts, and boot licking from the mods regardless of their behaviour. And **Guin** you bitching about ‘haven’t you worked in customer service!!!’ - uh, aren’t you the person who quit K-mart because the customers were such jerks? Wasn’t there ever a time that you wished you could have vaporized a jerky customer in a second? That’s exactly what happened here - a regular in the club who was known to be a trouble maker decided to push his luck in front of the owner and got his ass kicked out. Stupid. There’s more than one business that gets rid of ‘customers’ that take too much of the staff’s time - when people post about such businesses here they get cheered and yet **Otto** broke rules all over the place, recieved multiple warnings and yet had to poke the tiger. Really stupid. Like I said at the beginning - I just can’t manage any outrage. It would be cool of **Otto** returns but people flouncing out of here because the owner of the club bounced an annoying patron, despite the cover charge the patron paid, are being completely absurd. ---
**Author:** ![mutantmoose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a87d85/32.png) [@mutantmoose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mutantmoose)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/307 "2008-09-10T23:33:42Z")
And yours was a stupid question as well. ---
**Author:** ![HongKongFooey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c4cdca/32.png) [@HongKongFooey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HongKongFooey)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/308 "2008-09-10T23:34:12Z")
> [@1010011010](#): > > I saw **Q.E.D.** with BANNED a while ago and wondered what that was about. Search is still appears to be disabled. FWIW, you can still search by right-clicking on ‘Search’ and opening in a new window or tab. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/309 "2008-09-10T23:35:56Z")
> [@mutantmoose](#): > > And yours was a stupid question as well. ?? What question? ---
**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, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/310 "2008-09-10T23:35:57Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > I haven’t posted here in something like 14 months. Have been lurking. > > Coming out of retirement for the moment, since it’s free. > > This one goes out straight to Ed Zotti. > > * * * > > Dude, you’re a limped dicked worthless pile of hamster shit. Kindly sodomize yourself with a broom handle. Worst banning ever. > > Want to ban me? Kiss my ass.\*\*\* > > Given the hair trigger banhammer being wielded, this may well be my last post here. > > Shout out to the folks I liked while I was here…Silenus, What Exit (think that’s the guy–reasonable dude from some cold state, signs as Jim), Cervaise and the BSG crowd, Omegaman, others I liked whose names I’ve forgotten. Even Bricker. Didn’t particularly like him, but didn’t hate him. Oh…and the lady lawyer I once snarked on kinda bad. Forgot her name, gave her grief about working for the dark side doing insurance defense, but secretly kinda thought she was groovy…for a defense lawyer. > > And once more, with feeling… > > Ed Zotti, you petulant little pissant. Grow the fuck up, apologize to Otto, look in the mirror and see what a true FUCKWIT looks like. Feel free to get over yourself, know that I will never buy your book, will actively discourage other people from buying your book, laugh at your pathetic little vanity forum. > > Gonna close this now. Had a really big lunch, feeling kinda gassy. Think I’m gonna go the bathroom and take a Zotti. What up my nigga!!! No, I’m not black, but mother F’n fucker, it’s good to see you back. It makes the greasy flood of turds from the days of old totally accetable. Fuck em’ all, big an small. Good to see you, my friend. ---
**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, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/311 "2008-09-10T23:36:22Z")
> [@mr.jp](#): > > I know. I just don’t know of any rule with the wording you described. No rule \*lettered \*that way, true. In _spirit_ things are different. Clearly the rule can be applied that way. So, to clarify, the rule about being rude to mods and admins includes asking snarky questions. I cite the very first application by it’s creator as evidence. ---
**Author:** ![mutantmoose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a87d85/32.png) [@mutantmoose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mutantmoose)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/312 "2008-09-10T23:36:51Z")
Not you, Alice. I was talking about NineTo The Sky ---
**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, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/313 "2008-09-10T23:38:55Z")
> [@mutantmoose](#): > > Not you, Alice. I was talking about NineTo The Sky Why? ETA: OK, I know why it’s come to this (if that’s what you’re referring to). But I still think it’s such a shame. ---
**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, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/314 "2008-09-10T23:39:37Z")
> [@alice\_in\_wonderland](#): > > There’s more than one business that gets rid of ‘customers’ that take too much of the staff’s time - when people post about such businesses here they get cheered and yet **Otto** broke rules all over the place, recieved multiple warnings and yet had to poke the tiger. Really stupid. I hate that I have to keep saying this, but the “rule” he broke specifically said that offenders will be banned without warning. Previous behavior has fuck-all to do with it. ---
**Author:** ![MoodIndigo1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e8c25b/32.png) [@MoodIndigo1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MoodIndigo1)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/315 "2008-09-10T23:39:39Z")
> [@alice\_in\_wonderland](#): > > You know, I really kind of like **Otto** and I just can’t muster any outrage for this. > > When I was a kid my dad used to say that he who has the biggest stick, wins. Well, Ed has the biggest stick. This is his site. He has invested time to improve it. Jerry has invested time to improve it. They are currently working to improve it. What is a message board without its members? I don’t approve of Otto’s banning either, Ed must have had a bad day, and just reacted without thinking. If he’s really as good as we thought he was, he’ll explain that, reinstate Otto, and apologize. ---
**Author:** ![mutantmoose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a87d85/32.png) [@mutantmoose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mutantmoose)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/316 "2008-09-10T23:41:09Z")
Because it’s another question with no real answer. > [@](#): > > what is your vision for the Straight Dope: to continue as it was, or to be something different? If the latter, what? ---
**Author:** ![TVeblen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4bbf92/32.png) [@TVeblen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TVeblen)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/317 "2008-09-10T23:41:26Z")
[QUOTE=MsWhatsit] I am still absenting the boards in the meantime as I no longer feel safe posting anything even remotely related to the administration of the board outside the BBQ Pit for fear of being capriciously banned, and I’m not happy being on a board with a rule like that. [/QUOTE] Uh, **Otto** had racked up a long series of warnings, including several ‘final’ warnings that were not used because of time gaps in between. He sort of practiced brinksmanship for a long time. It’s kind of a pity that it was **Otto** who finally went over the line because he certainly wasn’t the worst for constant sniping and complaints. Still, with that many warnings at his back, he knew the stakes. ---
**Author:** ![mr.jp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/48db29/32.png) [@mr.jp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mr.jp)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/318 "2008-09-10T23:41:30Z")
> [@Contrapuntal](#): > > No rule \*lettered \*that way, true. In _spirit_ things are different. Clearly the rule can be applied that way. So, to clarify, the rule about being rude to mods and admins includes asking snarky questions. I cite the very first application by it’s creator as evidence. Not “being rude to”. “Saying rude things about.” There is a difference to me. And I don’t accept your evidence. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Cyberhwk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7993a0/32.png) [@Cyberhwk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyberhwk)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/319 "2008-09-10T23:43:07Z")
> [@Contrapuntal](#): > > My understanding is that they really don’t want you to pay. Paying customers don’t see ads, **Firefox** users don’t either. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Merkwurdigliebe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/74df32/32.png) [@Merkwurdigliebe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merkwurdigliebe)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971/320 "2008-09-10T23:43:31Z")
No matter how brutal any regime is you’ll always have the people who choose to suck the dicks of the big guys in hopes they might be spared. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971.md?page=15) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-otto-was-just-banned-by-ed/462971.md?page=17)