# Zenster banned? What's all this then? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 24, 2003, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338 "2003-10-24T15:54:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/1 "2003-10-24T15:54:24Z")
I hope it’s not rude to ask this question. From what I’ve seen, Zenster seemed like a reasonably civilized git. Sometimes, it’s easy to see why some angry PITA got banned. This one’s a surprise to me. I don’t read all the forums, so I could have missed his unforgivable offense. I don’t often read the Pit, for example, and if went there and called Cecil a…something I won’t even type, I never saw it. I’m not here to argue balls and strikes. I just didn’t hear the call. Respectfully, Nott ---
**Author:** ![whatami](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/85f322/32.png) [@whatami](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whatami)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/2 "2003-10-24T16:51:10Z")
I haven’t really got a clue on any history or anything, but apparently the last straw was [here.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=218208&perpage=50&pagenumber=3) (also, I think that normally threads about stuff like this would go in the BBQ as it has to do with the administration of the board) ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/3 "2003-10-24T17:11:57Z")
Egad! He did fly off the handle, didn’t he? :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/4 "2003-10-24T20:03:19Z")
I was pretty surprised when I saw it too, but the “you know you were on thin ice” comment leads me to believe he was warned about his attitude. I didn’t think much of his post at the time, but I suppose threatening to beat a person to death with an axehandle for improper parking IS a wee bit over the top. This does, of course, belong in the Pit, I assume the mods will send it over shortly enough. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/5 "2003-10-24T20:21:16Z")
Zenster was the recipient of many warnings, some public, some private. I have no desire to rehash all of that because it’s left a bad taste in my mouth, so I ain’t gonna provide documentation. I’ll leave that to someone more industrious, should they wish to search out the public ones. Off to the Pit. ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/6 "2003-10-24T20:28:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Cheesesteak \* > **but the “you know you were on thin ice” comment leads me to believe he was warned about his attitude** Within the past week, I believe, Zenster donned a “Junior Mod” hat and commented on someone’s post. A staff member said something along the lines of “We’ve talked to you about ‘junior modding.’ Your posting privileges will be discussed.” _(Paraphrased from memory- don’t quote me boy, I ain’t said sh–.)_ ---
**Author:** ![lno](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a8b319/32.png) [@lno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lno)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/7 "2003-10-24T20:57:03Z")
The junior modding and warning occured in the thread [Mr. Evil Breakfast is served. Pit style.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=217954) I’m not industrious enough to dig up the rest. ---
**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:** [October 24, 2003, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/8 "2003-10-24T21:00:24Z")
Aw, that’s a pity. I liked the guy. Too bad he couldn’t play by the rules. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/9 "2003-10-24T21:10:41Z")
Well, this is just distressing. Seems like pretty minor offenses in comparison to all the help he’s given on this board, the cookbooks he’s put together, and the personal _bonhommie_ I’ve seen from the guy. Hell, he even offered to meet up in SF in December while I’m there. If this is the short shrift members are given, I may have to evaluate my continued participation here. ---
**Author:** ![Gadfly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/aeb1de/32.png) [@Gadfly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gadfly)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/10 "2003-10-24T21:12:36Z")
Yeah. I can see why he flew off the candle - parking in fire lanes is simply verboten. But the way he proceeded with it made it justified, I guess - he should’ve stopped flying off the handle after the first post. Still, I thought he was a reasonable dude. Seeya around, Zenster. ---
**Author:** ![Ilsa\_Lund](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a6a055/32.png) [@Ilsa\_Lund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ilsa_Lund)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/11 "2003-10-24T21:14:13Z")
> [@](#): > > If this is the short shrift members are given, I may have to evaluate my continued participation here. I am always awed at the incredibly short leeway that LONG TIME members are given, and then NEVER a chance to participate again. BANNED forever ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/12 "2003-10-24T21:16:29Z")
A damn shame. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Gadfly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/aeb1de/32.png) [@Gadfly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gadfly)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/13 "2003-10-24T21:18:07Z")
Flew off the handle! HANDLE! But candle would work too. Because… As we all know… Candles are often used as… Trebuchets… By roman… Cats… ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/14 "2003-10-24T21:22:16Z")
**Chefguy** , about once every couple of months, a long-term, (in)famous poster gets banned, and it always seems like a big deal. But everyone knows the rules for posting here, and they’re pretty easy to follow. Nobody forced **Zenster** to post about beating someone bloody with an axe handle or arping them with it, and he knew good and damn well that that would violate the rules of the forum. I, too, appreciated his food advice, just like I appreciated **Collounsbury’s** perspective on the middle east and december’s poetry. (Okay, that last one’s a lie). But the host gets to set the rules, and none of these long-term posters had any excuse for not following the reasonable rules. Were I you, I’d only re-evaluate my membership if I was going to have trouble refraining from threatening to rape other board members with an axe handle. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![PhiloVance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e19adc/32.png) [@PhiloVance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhiloVance)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/15 "2003-10-24T21:23:50Z")
> [@](#): > > I am always awed at the incredibly short leeway that LONG TIME members are given, and then NEVER a chance to participate again. BANNED forever Not true. I believe he can apply to the mods for reinstatement after a certain cooling off period has elapsed. He even gets his post count back. :eek: Lesseee. We’ve had **december, Colounsbury(sp?) and now Zenster** all long time posters, just wiped out in the blink of an eye. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/16 "2003-10-24T21:24:45Z")
[quote] ## [quote: ## Originally posted by Zenster Second; county, were you to be illegally parked in a fire lane and caused my residence to burn a millisecond longer than it needed to, you’d likely be the recipient of more than a lovetap or two. Personally, I don’t think an axe handle could stand up to the wear and tear I’d put it through. Then again, maybe I’d just find a nice warm (ungreased) place to hide it and call it quits. Darkhold, was that the “Five Cars or Less” fire lane or the regular one? Zenster, you knew you were on damn thin ice. You’ve also been around long enough to know that threatening people IRL is not allowed. Goodbye. I’m closing this thread. Lynn For the Straight Dope[/quote] That was a threat? \ ---
**Author:** ![El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/41988e/32.png) [@El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Cid_Viscoso)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/17 "2003-10-24T21:38:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Chefguy \* > > If this is the short shrift members are given, I may have to evaluate my continued participation here. For one thing, banning is, in my understanding, not a life sentence. For another thing, warnings are typically ample 'round here – I think this action may well have been more preemptive than punitive. For yet another thing, **Chefguy** , you’re a swell fellow. Please keep on keeping on. Finally, I’m surpised this thread hasn’t been closed. Questions about banning should be directed to the mods via email, if for nothing more than the preservation of the bannee’s dignity. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/18 "2003-10-24T21:39:04Z")
I think “don’t be a jerk” means “don’t crawl up my ass”. ---
**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:** [October 24, 2003, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/19 "2003-10-24T21:40:40Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by PhiloVance_ > Lesseee. We’ve had december, Colounsbury(sp?) and now Zenster all long time posters, just wiped out in the blink of an eye. And **techchick** got banned earlier this month, after she had a five-alarm melt down and threatened to hack the boards in her LiveJournal. ---
**Author:** ![Early\_Out](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Early\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Early_Out)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/20 "2003-10-24T21:40:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Chefguy \* > \*\*I may have to evaluate my continued participation here. \*\* Oh, no! The loss of income would cripple the Chicago Reader. Oh, wait… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338.md?page=2)