[Question] Cases for clemency

[Andrew NDB]

Since we're all old now and message boards are dying (or are already dead?) is there any harm in granting clemency for old, banned accounts whether years ago or months that might not have been banned for standards of "2026"? Are there any users we feel like might fit that bill?

[Prowler]

Dunno, but the inconsistency of the enforcement of rules bothers me. So Hannah was allowed to come back with a new account after all these years because she lost her log in from like 2009(understandable, mind you), but other people get banned for creating alternate accounts? Doesn't make sense.

[Jester]

I think in most cases the members creating secondary accounts are BANNED to begin with and they are creating secondary accounts to circumvent the ban. That's where it's a problem.

[ToTheNines]

I think we need to bring some right wing chuds back. Despite our reputation, I think there’s an imbalance of the political spectrum.

The TMNT section is a bit of a boys club, and we engage in quite a lot of locker room talk (shoutout to Indigo for putting up with us lol), but I don’t think it warrants the things that are said about us over at r/TMNT and Facebook.

But the GD section? I feel like it’s literally just Andrew and IMJ vs. the world. There’s a couple of infrequent posters who will chime in, and I’m a bit of a free agent with weird politics, but for the most part it’s just them… and yet the Drome is a “far right hell hole” or whatever.

[Andrew NDB]

Which is weird because apparently the rest of the world considers the Drome a right wing cesspool. I guess just because Voltron isn't able to Voltron anymore.

Obviously I don't agree with a lot of Barkworm's stuff but he is probably the most even-handed mod since I was a kid around here. The way the Drome is structured it is basically owned by whoever the currently willing to be active mods are. So this is Barkworm's board.

[ToTheNines]

Yes, the Barkworm/Jester era has been ideal, mod-wise.

Just sucks so many people got banned or quit along the way. Oh well, we’re lucky to have a forum at all in 2026.

[Prowler]

Jester has been the most consistent mod ever since I've been here. But I believe his powers are or were limited to certain sections of the forums only? Or am I mistaken?

Machias was the most powerful member after Krang and Shredder, the admins, iirc.

The thing is, mods on the drome often disappear for years and yet never lose their mod status. Honestly, I don't think that's a good idea. A mod needs to be an active user. I remember GK telling me that he's done some "ninja modding" throughout the years. Barkworm also did not pop up here for ages. Nothing against these two users, mind you, but for the sake of transparency, I don't think a mod should keep their mod status if they go MIA for like 5 years in a row and then suddenly come back one day as if nothing happened and start locking threads again.

What about Venom and that Raph guy? They were mods for a while a decade or more ago. Are they still mods on paper?

[Barkworm]

Is this the reboot, sequel or re-imagining of the other thread?

I guess we can leave it like this as long as it is not about mocking banned members. Whenever Krang comes around, he might consider it.

[IMJ]

As a moderator elsewhere I run into a lot of content that I can't stand - it just happens. But honestly the only people I ever hit the "ban" button on are the "ongoing unhinged-tirade people" - more akin to trolling. Anything else starts to dabble in moderator bias.

I think back to when some of the Iron Man forums were outrageously active and we only banned maybe one or two guys ever. Then you have the Indiana Jones guys - that's one of the worst fandoms I've ever seen - some of those guys actually believe they are "Harrison Ford" and try to project this "alpha male" thing and it can be outrageous. Yet ironically fewer people are banned on those boards than here.

The truth is that historically here you get a lot of banning when mods feel challenged - basically nerd-esteem ban. It was that way here for a long time, but it's been exponentially better with Bark and Jester.

I can only imagine the raging comedy that would ensue if suddenly all bans were lifted here and the swamp was instantly filled again. In some ways I'd be down for that.

[Andrew NDB]

Do people still use the word "flaming"? I remember a lot of people here back in the day getting banned for "flaming." In many cases it's been 10 years since the bannings -- is that not enough time? Maybe 20 years, then they can come back?

[IMJ]

Originally Posted by Andrew NDB

Do people still use the word "flaming"? I remember a lot of people here back in the day getting banned for "flaming." In many cases it's been 10 years since the bannings -- is that not enough time? Maybe 20 years, then they can come back?

"Flaming" is just "trolling", or at least a version of it I suppose. Fanning the flames with intentionally provocative, and usually obtuse commentary. The same kind of guy that says $#!( just to get a rise out of people - we have a guy here like that - we both know who he is....

[ToTheNines]

Flaming just meant cussing someone out or otherwise going off on them.

[Andrew NDB]

Originally Posted by ToTheNines

Flaming just meant cussing someone out or otherwise going off on them.

I seem to remember it just being a general sort of perception of negativity, at least around 2007. "You're just flaming!" and so on.

[IMJ]

Originally Posted by ToTheNines

Flaming just meant cussing someone out or otherwise going off on them.

That, sure. But more specifically it meant to "fan the fire". Hence provocative comments that stoked "the fire". Flaming.

[ToTheNines]

That would be flamebait.

But these are gay internet terms that no one uses anymore lol

[IMJ]

Originally Posted by ToTheNines

That would be flamebait.

But these are gay internet terms that no one uses anymore lol

omg

[IMJ]

The problem was that until a select few of us pushed back hard this place was run by the rule of the mob.

[Prowler]

Is Andrew still hoping that Commander 42 gets granted clemency?

[Andrew NDB]

Originally Posted by Prowler

Is Andrew still hoping that Commander 42 gets granted clemency?

Sure. He was a great poster.

[ToTheNines]

He was treated very unfairly! WITCH HUNT!