# 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:** 10
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2003, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/181 "2003-10-25T18:27:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Fenris \* > I thought that while sometimes the mods/admins allow these discussions to continue, the official rule was “If you want to know why someone was banned, e-mail a mod/admin.” We _know_ why he was banned. The discussion is whether it was fair or not. ---
**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 25, 2003, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/182 "2003-10-25T18:47:26Z")
> [@](#): > > _Orig. by Chefguy_ > Anyway, I hope he comes back reincarnated as a kinder, gentler Zenster. By the way, what is this G’Dope of which you speak? [G’Dope Message Board](http://pub31.ezboard.com/bgdope). Set up originally in 2001 by **TheLoadedDog** as a place for Aussie and Kiwi Dopers, we welcome anyone who wants to come on by, pull up a seat, exchange ideas or just take it easy. ---
**Author:** ![tiny\_ham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@tiny\_ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiny_ham)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2003, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/183 "2003-10-25T19:06:45Z")
Chefguy, conversely, I am a fairly creative gal myself, and I can cook my ass of and make money for it, and yet…rarely do I go into coniptions and damn people to hell for using margarine. Maybe I’m the only one who sees a difference, but oh well. Next time I call someone a dope and stupid, and tell them they aren’t worth my time, I’ll be sure to blame it on my creativity. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Corrado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a88e4f/32.png) [@John\_Corrado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Corrado)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2003, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/184 "2003-10-25T19:15:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Sterra \* > \*\*Let me just say this as someone who agreed with this banning. > > There really should be something(like a forum) to say why people were banned. The whole discussion of bannings by email isn’t good. You should be showing very clearly what gets you banned and what doesn’t get you banned. I don’t even think that the discussion of the banning is particularly necessary, but the announcement of what got that person banned is. \*\* There has been some discussion of this in the past. However, the problem we always run in to is that if we keep a public record of bannings, there are jerks out there who will make it their life goal to appear upon that list as often as possible. What starts out as a public service for the posters quickly turns into a billboard for trolls. ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2003, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/185 "2003-10-25T20:38:53Z")
It seems to me that if you truly wished to avoid that, you wouldn’t put “BANNED” under their names and would merely suspend their posting privileges. Then they don’t get the supposed notoriety. Otherwise, the label that serves precisely as that billboard for trolls. ---
**Author:** ![zoogirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b9bd4f/32.png) [@zoogirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoogirl)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2003, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/186 "2003-10-25T21:15:37Z")
Well, something on the Dope finally made me cry. I’m not kidding. My interaction with Zenster was always pleasent and I will dearly miss him. ---
**Author:** ![Blonde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Blonde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blonde)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2003, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/187 "2003-10-25T21:34:02Z")
I’ve calmed down somewhat since last night, I think - but I’m still really confused as to why **Zenster** was banned. Let’s assume we don’t wish death on other posters because there is a MINIMAL chance that we could find out their home address and use a rifle to take them out of the world. I can’t comprehend that even those to agree to his banning think he’d do something of that nature. So, it is that the language in his posts would encourage others to commit acts of violence? I don’t see it, y’all. ---
**Author:** ![Blonde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Blonde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blonde)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2003, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/188 "2003-10-25T21:37:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Fenris \* > \*\*Um…“why the fuck are you asking?” and “just a fucking message board” / “stop it with the potty mouth”? O irony, thy name is **Blonde** > Fenris \*\* Hon, my comment was intended to be ironic/cynical. Sorry that one went over your head. ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2003, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/189 "2003-10-25T21:37:33Z")
**Blonde** , as was said earlier he had been warned about his behavior. When you’ve been warned repeatedly, it doesn’t take a huge, massive flouting of the rules to get kicked off. Isn’t it sufficient to know that there was a buildup leading to this conclusion and that the decision was not made on a single incident? ---
**Author:** ![Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnac_the_Magnificent)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2003, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/190 "2003-10-25T21:41:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by wolfman \* > \*\*The one thing I hope is that the Zenster ban is permanent. Not because I have any particular dislike for the guy, but from the drama that will occur with a reinstatement. He had no self control, He was told not to do things, and he did them. If he gets reinstated he will be warned not to do things, and then he will do them. Then we will have months of 'Mommy! look what Zen’s doing!" posts, until enough stuff has accumulated, the axe falls again, and we get this thread again. I’ll personally never understand how some people just never manage to develop self control, but people who don’t have any by now will never have any. \*\* [RANT]: **Collounsbury** perfected this unseemly tactic. Hoping against hope for his enlightenment, the mods magnanimously restored his priviliges and then, after maybe 72 hours of model behavior, Coll’s dark side emerged and he resumed his snotty, shitty, sadistic rhetorical bombthrowing and took great delight in rubbing the moderators’ noses in it and dancing on the line. What sickened me, however, were the suckups on the Board who sided with their intellectual hero, all the while excusing his pathetic behavior. Banned? Good riddance, jerkwad. [/RANT] I’ll miss the Zenster who was generous, urbane, and funny. But the moderators have a hell of a balancing act to do and they do it incredibly well without any compensation. Long ago, they drew a clear line in the sand and Zenster repeatedly tested the limits, thinking himself exempt, immune, or both. He went too far this time and got zapped for it. No worry, however, the mods will forgive him and he will be back. Frankly, a good cooling off period will probably do him some good. ---
**Author:** ![Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnac_the_Magnificent)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2003, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/191 "2003-10-25T21:46:10Z")
[QUOTE] \*Originally posted by Carnac the Magnificent! \* Correction: No worry, however, [I’m guessing\*\* the mods will **probably** forgive him and he will be back. Frankly, a good cooling off period will probably do him some good. ---
**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:** [October 25, 2003, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/192 "2003-10-25T21:55:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Blonde \* > \*\*Hon, my comment was intended to be ironic/cynical. Sorry that one went over your head. \*\* Babe, I doubt you could hit my ankles, let alone lob one over my head. Permit me to quote myself “O irony, thy name is **Blonde** ”. Notice the word “irony”? Whaddaya think it’s referring to? Thus, we can agree that I _got_ it. _EVERYONE_ got it. It wasn’t what you would call subtle humor and I was commenting that I didn’t think it very clever, but considering the source, perhaps I could rethink my opinion. The ol’ “dancing bear” theory\* may apply. Fenris \*“It ain’t how _well_ the bear dances, it’s that she dances at all” ---
**Author:** ![Blonde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Blonde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blonde)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2003, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/193 "2003-10-25T22:01:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by dantheman \* > \*\ ***Blonde** , as was said earlier he had been warned about his behavior. When you’ve been warned repeatedly, it doesn’t take a huge, massive flouting of the rules to get kicked off. Isn’t it sufficient to know that there was a buildup leading to this conclusion and that the decision was not made on a single incident? \*\* I understand that, **dantheman** , and I respect your opinion, as I’ve always enjoyed your posts. However, I just don’t understand why his behavior qualifies for banning. His posts wherein he “wished violence” upon someone were usually aimed at high-visibility criminals in our society that most of us wouldn’t shed a tear over given their demise. Obviously, I’m re-thinking my desire to be a member of this board; I’m sure most of y’all could give a flying fuck, but I’ll keep in touch with those whom I consider friends. And **Zen** will be one of those. ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2003, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/194 "2003-10-25T22:17:47Z")
I’ve only recently noticed **Zenster** , particularly on one thread on homosexuality, where he was polite and supportive and pretty humourous. I don’t disagree with the mods’ decision; there had been several warnings. But if **Zenster** is reading this (I know I would be if I were him), I’d just like to say I’m sorry to see you gone, hope to see you around sometime in the future perhaps. ---
**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:** [October 25, 2003, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/195 "2003-10-25T22:27:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Blonde \* > **However, I just don’t understand why his behavior qualifies for banning. His posts wherein he “wished violence” upon someone were usually aimed at high-visibility criminals in our society that most of us wouldn’t shed a tear over given their demise.** Wishing violence on someone is fine, as long as that someone doesn’t also post here. ---
**Author:** ![umop\_ap\_sdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/dbc845/32.png) [@umop\_ap\_sdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/umop_ap_sdn)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2003, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/196 "2003-10-25T22:34:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Una Persson \* > \*\*You might be thinking of me. Lynn put “BANNED” under my name (I still have the screenshots…) but I was in no way “BANNED”. \*\* No, I forget who it was but not you. The poster I’m thinking of was banned, and then came back and said something to the effect of having experienced being banned. Somebody else posted a question of why this person is allowed to post if he or she was banned, and the response was that they had been reinstated. Yet I still saw BANNED under their username so maybe they were rebanned. I just wanted to know if the BANNED label goes away when one is allowed to return. ---
**Author:** ![ScoobyTX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@ScoobyTX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ScoobyTX)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2003, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/197 "2003-10-25T22:52:52Z")
My only question is: why the hell hasn’t **county** been banned, or even warned (that I can find) for the post which led indirectly to the straw which broke **Zenster** ’s back: > [@](#): > > [url="[http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&postid=4125957#post4125957](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&postid=4125957#post4125957)"here > People like you are what labor has axe handles for - you know to explain our position in language even you can understand. (my apologies if he has been warned, but junk-addicted hamsters weren’t up to the task of finding the warning) ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2003, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/198 "2003-10-25T22:54:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by aryk29 \* > \*\*I just wanted to know if the BANNED label goes away when one is allowed to return. \*\* Yes, it does. ---
**Author:** ![blinx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a5b964/32.png) [@blinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blinx)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2003, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/199 "2003-10-25T23:13:31Z")
I’ll miss him too, I hope he’ll cool off a bit and be able to come back soon. I always liked the guy. ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2003, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/200 "2003-10-25T23:16:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Blonde \* > \*\*I understand that, **dantheman** , and I respect your opinion, as I’ve always enjoyed your posts. However, I just don’t understand why his behavior qualifies for banning. His posts wherein he “wished violence” upon someone were usually aimed at high-visibility criminals in our society that most of us wouldn’t shed a tear over given their demise. Obviously, I’m re-thinking my desire to be a member of this board; I’m sure most of y’all could give a flying fuck, but I’ll keep in touch with those whom I consider friends. And **Zen** will be one of those. \*\* Well, I wish you wouldn’t rethink it. Why not rethink it in a few days and see if you feel the same then? Perhaps you don’t understand why his behavior qualified for a banning because you didn’t see his behavior throughout his tenure here. They ban because of an ongoing pattern, not just one post or even three. (An exception is when the person is an obvious sock or troll or who exhibits such awful behavior immediately after registering.) There are people here who feel that others have been just as jerkish as **Zenster** was, and they wonder why those people are still around. I think that’s a fair question; to make things easier on the powers that be, we should employ the Report This Post function whenever we see someone behaving in that manner. **aryk29** , yes - the label is changed back to Member, from what I’ve noticed. Perhaps you saw it before it was changed, that’s all. The label and the posting privileges are probably separate functions in the software. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338.md?page=11)