# 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:** 9
**Author:** ![Doomtrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Doomtrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doomtrain)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2003, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/161 "2003-10-25T15:57:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by C K Dexter Haven \* > **And, GMRyujin, I’m sorry if I caused you any distress. (If those were pangs of guilt, of course, then they were probably well deserved.) I do try to reply to “Report this post” and similar, and I’m not only a Nazi-commando, I have other jobs too.** No worries, **Dex**. My health insurance covered the heart attack and I met some nice nurses…😃 ---
**Author:** ![Gadfly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/aeb1de/32.png) [@Gadfly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gadfly)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2003, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/162 "2003-10-25T16:01:02Z")
> [@](#): > > Zenster banned? What’s all this then? _makes gestures vaguely indicating a headdress_ What’s all this, please? ---
**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, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/163 "2003-10-25T16:03:45Z")
Just to put my two cents in, I’m glad to see Zenster leave. He was self righteous, cruel, vicious person who delighted in others misfortunes and celebrated death and misery (witness his ‘party’ for the death of Uday and Qusay Hussein), anything anyone did, he did better: Own a dog (and tell others how to do it correctly), play an instrument (and bitch about his payment) cook a meal (witness his recipes which frequently mention “the only way” or “the only brand” or “the best”), anything. He was snobbish, cold, and when he claimed that 29,000 people on the boards were in his corner, I knew he was headed off the deep end. One thing I am worried about though. Zenster gave me permission to post where ever I wanted. Do I have to reapply for that status again :rolleyes: ---
**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, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/164 "2003-10-25T16:09:45Z")
Celebrating the death(s) of mass murderers is a _bad_ thing? Huh. Silly me. ---
**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, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/165 "2003-10-25T16:12:10Z")
don’t dredge it up again. “Celebrating” death of any kind is sick, in my opinion, but of course, since it was contrary to Zenster’s, it was wrong :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![wakimika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f08c70/32.png) [@wakimika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wakimika)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2003, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/166 "2003-10-25T16:15:50Z")
Why not have an intermediate remedy that falls between warnings and bannings: suspension. Suspension of posting priveleges (varying lengths for different levels of infraction) would provide a “cooling-off” period and eliminate the perception that the admins have gone soft if they undo a banning. That way, bannings would always be permanent. It would also neatly fit into the three-strike concept. ---
**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, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/167 "2003-10-25T16:17:30Z")
Or better yet, when people are warned to back off, why can’t they just back off? I was warned once about something a year and a half ago, and guess what…I never did it again. Food for thought. ---
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2003, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/168 "2003-10-25T16:18:51Z")
Actually, jar, that was somethig I disagreed with you about as well, but the beautiful thing about this big ole’ world we live in is that there is room for different opinions. I’ll raise a beer to the guys who riddled Baghdad’s version of the Bobsey twins with bullets, you chose not to, and then we can both drink a toast to the memory Walter Payton. Simple enough, although some people don’t seem to get it. ( not you I’m talking about ) ---
**Author:** ![Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helen_s_Eidolon)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2003, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/169 "2003-10-25T16:23:35Z")
I am someone else who can’t fathom people’s confusion. **Zenster** was warned again and again and again. He was told just a few days before his banning that his posting privileges would be under discussion. If **my** status as a member was being discussed, you sure as hell bet I’d be watching every word I said. The fact that **Zenster** acted with disregard, even if only breaking the rules a little, displays a deep disrespect for the board’s administration. The mods and admins make judgement calls. Maybe what **Zenster** said wouldn’t be worth a banning in most people. Maybe it wouldn’t even be worth a warning in some people. But it was made very clear to him that he was on thin ice. Heck, it was made clear to me and I don’t read his email. What I think of him as a person is irrelevant. He disregarded the mods and admins again and again, and continued his aggressive posting even after he was clearly told he should wtch what he said. ---
**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, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/170 "2003-10-25T16:23:45Z")
Hey, I know plenty of folks disagree with my view, but YOU didn’t call me names in the process of disagreeing, quite the difference, I agree. :: clinking glasses :: ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2003, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/171 "2003-10-25T16:24:19Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![wakimika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f08c70/32.png) [@wakimika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wakimika)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2003, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/172 "2003-10-25T16:29:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jarbabyj \* > \*\*Or better yet, when people are warned to back off, why can’t they just back off? I was warned once about something a year and a half ago, and guess what…I never did it again. > > Food for thought. \*\* Well, one reason would be lifting the burden off the mods and admins. Banning is obviously taken seriously and only enforced after serious debate. Suspension could be opted for unilaterally by a mod and it would replace multiple warnings. Yes, if you are warned, you should back off. But there _are_ gray areas and banning is the ultimate sanction. ---
**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, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/173 "2003-10-25T16:35:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jarbabyj \* > \*\*One thing I am worried about though. Zenster gave me permission to post where ever I wanted. Do I have to reapply for that status again :rolleyes: \*\* Yes. However, due to increased costs associated with this permission, there is now a $300.00 charge for the application permit. I will e-mail you my address under seperate cover. Please note we only accept small, unmarked U.S. bills. Fenris, “Who can post where” arbiter ---
**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, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/174 "2003-10-25T16:37:26Z")
oh dear. I’m flat broke, officer. Is there some other way i could pay you? :: bats eyes :: ---
**Author:** ![bojon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@bojon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bojon)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2003, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/175 "2003-10-25T16:39:19Z")
Wheres the fun in thinking before you post? If we all did that, the spark would never ignite the kindling needed for a BBQ pit. I’ll get back to you after I have processed your last statement is no way to go through life. ---
**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, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/176 "2003-10-25T16:47:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by wakimika \* > \*\*Why not have an intermediate remedy that falls between warnings and bannings: suspension. > > Suspension of posting priveleges (varying lengths for different levels of infraction) would provide a “cooling-off” period and eliminate the perception that the admins have gone soft if they undo a banning. > > That way, bannings would always be permanent. It would also neatly fit into the three-strike concept. \*\* They have this already, although I’m not sure how often it is used. I know that the poster him/herself can request to be placed on suspension, which is also known as a sabbatical. (I know because I was on it.) **bojon** , here we engage in thoughtful and considered discourse about subjects light and serious. Sometimes our discourses are fraught with emotion, and that is a good thing. In some of the more spirited discussions here, people invariably post before selecting their words carefully. However, those who do should realize the consequences of such actions; the wiser course is almost always to think before speaking. This applies to offline life as well. Your words will carry more weight if you impart some reason. ---
**Author:** ![Violet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ebca7d/32.png) [@Violet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Violet)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2003, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/177 "2003-10-25T17:44:20Z")
Wow! I usually don’t even read in the Pit, but this caught my attention because it’s the Zenster. I only remember some of his thoughts on threads involving integrity, and the comments were profound, IMHO. I think I just miss not seeing the usual suspects on the board. This is a little like the old tv sitcom, _Cheers_. I also have to respect the mods’ actions because they have been able to keep this board going for so long, and they seem to have a thankless task. I don’t know they keep up with the volume. ~ FWIW. Come back, Zenster. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![imthjckaz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/imthjckaz/32/3223_2.png) [@imthjckaz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/imthjckaz)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2003, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/178 "2003-10-25T17:53:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Dijon Warlock \* > \*\*…He _had_ been disregarding administrative admonitions of late (“Junior Mod Hat” and whatnot), and he had been notified that his posting priveleges were under discussion. He’s been around long enough to know he was on thin ice. > > It’s a sad day, to be sure; but I saw it coming. > > Come back if you can, **Zen**. The place won’t be the same without you. \*\* Actually, **Zenster** , has been gone before. He was on a self-imposed exile from the SDMB from December 2001, until his [return thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=169169) in March, 2003. During his absence, the SDMB continued on, the same as it always has and always will. This board isn’t about the thoughts and opinions of one single Doper, it is about the thoughts and opinions of all the Dopers. Chris and I have had our differences in the past, even exchanged emails(cordial) back then, and when my SO, **Spider Woman** , was laid off, he helped her with her resume and even sent us some CD’s he made, so I can’t say that I totally disliked the guy. But I did find him at times to be a bit too much to stomach. But, his banning wasn’t because of one post, one thread, I think it was an accumulation of warnings, that **porcupine** , points out [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?postid=4150505#post4150505), that were for some reason not heeded. How many strikes does a guy get before the ump finally says ‘Yer out!’? He wasn’t first popular Doper banned, and he won’t be the last. ---
**Author:** ![London\_Calling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@London\_Calling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/London_Calling)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2003, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/179 "2003-10-25T17:55:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Zoe \* > Aside from the personalities and circumstances involved in this particular banning, I would ask that the moderators consider this. While it is true that long-time posters are generally familiar with the rules and know when they are on thin ice, they are also more likely to mess us from time to time and show their backsides. Nobody gets his shit together once and for all. Seems a good point to me. I’ve also seen the odd Mod/Admin become briefly detached from their moorings, albeit _very_ occasionally and unspectacularly. But, sure, we wouldn’t be human if we didn’t drift once in a while. Re the circs of the banning - I wonder if this banning might be a good thing for him. I didn’t come across him often but I did occasionally think there was an emotion quality driving some of his posts that didn’t seem altogether reassuring. So perhaps this will provide the impetus for him to regroup, if he so needs – and it’s a lovely time of year, you know _out there_ I’d also say that sometimes people design or create circumstances – subconsciously, even – in order to bring change in their lives; being banned from something that might be, to that person, “crack on caramel” is a pretty complete way to address a needed change of direction . . bit like creating a crisis with a partner where there needn’t be one . . . Okay, enough with the sensible. Saturday and time to get written orf. ---
**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 25, 2003, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338/180 "2003-10-25T18:21:52Z")
After reading all of these, I have to rethink my initial reaction. I had thought (not being aware of the additional warnings) that he was being banned for a single episode, . To those who think him opinionated and “vicious” and “cruel”, I would offer that creative people often live in their own heads. While they embrace new ideas, they have difficulty admitting being wrong about the ideas already held. I am convinced, for instance, that the way I make chili is the ONLY acceptable way and why would ANYone do it any differently. While I know that’s irrational, it doesn’t stop me from telling someone they’re stoopid for doing it any other way. When you’re convinced, it’s difficult not to come across as arrogant. Anyway, I hope he comes back reincarnated as a kinder, gentler Zenster. By the way, what is this **G’Dope** of which you speak? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zenster-banned-whats-all-this-then/209338.md?page=10)