That yellow one is definitely not ecstasy. You can see the logo, the milligram dosage—the shape is totally off. That yellow pill looks like it came straight off a high-tech production line. Even the red one, while a bit more suspicious, doesn't look like MDMA to me at all.
Real ecstasy hits much harder and feels way more primitive. They’re rarely uniform in size and they don't have that smooth, polished coating; they usually feel gritty. Plus, the logos are almost never perfectly centered. Instead of letters and numbers, you'll typically see pictures or pictograms that represent the pill's name—think clovers, hearts, or even Mickey Mouse.
Look, I can't say for certain, but both of these look like mass-produced factory pills from somewhere overseas. They look degraded because they aren't in their original packaging, but for what purpose? Who knows.
Is it really necessary to point out that you shouldn't be an idiot and test these on yourself? For all you know, there's no telling what's actually in them or how old they are. Your dad probably has his reasons for keeping them that way and claiming they're for calming down. Just put them back where you found them and move on. 🙂
p.s. If you're still dying to know, try printing out a photo and asking a pharmacist if they recognize them.
Patrick Gonzalez36 said:Just wondering why I can't start any new threads? It keeps telling me I don't have permission... This happens with every single account I try to make! I tried clicking that activation link, but it says it's already active, yet I'm still getting the same error message! Anyone know what's going on?
Sorry to jump in here...
Your account is officially registered—you can ignore that damn link now. And like coppersailor28 mentioned, since you actually managed to pull off this post, everything should be running smoothly. Is it working now? Or did the system just choke after you hit two posts?
The thread went down exactly like this, and honestly, it’s the only reason they shut it down (with a little bit of creative liberty added for effect):
hollowpilot13: I'm Italian, and god bless synchronization 🙏 someone else: synchronization 🤮 hollowpilot13: You guys hate me, I hate you, everyone hates synchronization and Italians 🙂 someone else: 😠 some third guy: 🙂 hollowpilot13: 🙂 moderators: Calm down or we're locking this thread and issuing warnings. *Sweep sweep sweep*—spending three hours a day doing this: some third guy: 🙂 hollowpilot13: 🙂
...5 days later... after the exact same nonsense kept happening over and over... Thread locked.
driftingmarlin4 said:I’ve made my position clear. Creating a thread just to watch people bump it without offering any actual input? That’s nothing more than straight-up spamming. 🤷 Now you see what I mean. 🤷
+ 1
It’s not rocket science. You just need to write two damn sentences explaining the what, the how, and the why. Honestly, I don't get why people act like it's some impossible Herculean task. What is the actual problem here? 🤷
Jamie Clark74, I see you dragged me into this too, but only to claim there's a lack of consensus among the moderators. That is dead wrong. That specific post wasn't targeting your bias; it was about how a handful of users constantly jump down your throat on every single thread. You react with frustration, and then the cycle repeats day after day: warnings, bans, deleted posts. That’s exactly what I was pointing out in the warning I quoted.
As for the partiality issue, you received that ruling after I left the diaspora. I know both moderators and how they operate. Trust me, nobody on the Reddit editorial staff hands out partiality rulings lightly. This means there was clearly a legitimate reason why things went down the way they did, and I promise you, it wasn't some personal vendetta or grudge held by crimsonsailor7 or Skattemus.
And regarding the amnesty—honestly, you aren't helping yourself with this thread. I get the frustration, and I get why you want back into the PDF, but venting with this kind of vitriol isn't going to get you anywhere. It doesn't do you any favors. It just makes you look like someone I know you aren't.
brightpuma, you hit the nail right on the head. It starts with Australia and Canada, then Germany follows suit—it’s a total reign of terror against newcomers and moderators alike. They are insufferable, acting like they're untouchable. Honestly, it's embarrassing when people carry that kind of ego into their real lives and still claim to represent Americans. The constant noise, the endless drama, and the screaming matches in those three specific threads have been going on for years! The sheer amount of toxicity and bitterness thrown around, the public threats, the secret ones, the absolute horrors... I was honestly stunned when I first took on a moderator role for the diaspora.
The most pathetic part of this whole mess? The very same losers driving this entire trainwreck are the ones opening these threads, swarming like a pack of wolves to attack the moderator just because she’s doing her job. And she did it perfectly: strictly by the book, but with more humanity than was probably even necessary. When she responded, she was peaceful, clear, and polite—she even left room to admit if she were wrong (which she isn't) and offered an apology upfront just in case. But that doesn't matterrr... no, what matters is surrounding her and systematically attacking her on a personal level, over and over again. They drag the topic out as long as possible just so the whole world can see what terrible players they are, acting like Henry Moore2 isn't worth the breath it takes to speak her name.
Mark Thompson6 said:I know you used to moderate on the expatriate community site, but this actually concerns you and the users complaining about your oversight. This involves specific people, and she wasn't even part of the situation.
Surely you can explain your own reasoning for when you've issued a strike or deleted a post in certain instances.
My point is that it’s totally misguided to defend moderators like that—or to call someone an "excellent moderator" while people are actively complaining about them—especially when you weren't even a moderator on the subreddit they manage and never once participated in those discussions.
You’re generalizing and drifting off-topic.
You have zero clue who I get along with or don't, and your claim that supporting two colleagues equals "defending a moderator on every single thread where a complaint is made" is nonsense. In Henry Moore2's case, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside her for over two years. And that's on the specific thread mentioned. Beyond that, having moderated various threads on this Reddit for eight years gives me every right to voice my opinion.
The situation here is so obvious it's almost laughable to even argue about it: You have a troll stirring the pot and aggressively baiting a fight; then you have an advocate stepping in; then a user gets warned, then warned again, then hits a yellow card, and then—with lightning speed—runs straight to FEMA with the exact same tired routine: "What is she even doing there, acting like a moderator (in this case, Henry Moore2)!!! She is the absolute worst thing that ever happened to this Reddit! I'm being harassed here! I demand she be removed, blah blah blah..."
In the expatriate community, we performed this exact little dance twelve thousand times.
Since you all don't seem to mind mobbing together at FEMA to jump a moderator, I certainly won't let anyone stop me from standing up for a mod when they are clearly in the right. If that irritates you, go find a home over at Gastrol. ☕
Drew Martin84 said:I honestly don't get what your deal is. Is a warning not enough? Do you really have to go around scrubbing every single post that doesn't fit your specific mood? And frankly, Mimosa didn't say anything bad at all. Other people have said way worse things, yet you didn't jump to delete their posts immediately... I have no idea how people like you even land moderator roles. It’s obvious you have zero clue what your actual job description is; you're just hovering around here acting superior.
Henry Moore2 said:Going off-topic, being insulting, or trolling results in a 3-day ban. For everything else, contact FEMA. Thanks.
Drew Martin84 said:On this Reddit, it’s clearly illegal to say one single word to a moderator without getting a strike or a ban. It doesn't matter if what you said was wrong, or if you're actually right—if you push back even a little bit, you're banned. Does anyone know who I can appeal to? If necessary, I'll send an email directly to the parent company that owns this site. Just give me a contact, even via DM, and we'll settle this. This has seriously gone too far.
You're trolling, you're being insulting, and you're giving these long-winded lectures—all while doing it in a thread about living in Australia. Instead of making a civilized complaint here, where feedback actually belongs, you decide to act out. And then Henry Moore2 tries to be reasonable by giving you a warning instead of just kicking you out instantly, pointing you toward the proper channels to complain to your heart's content, and somehow you conclude that starting this massive rant is the logical next step. You've got some nerve.
loneraven25 said:...honestly, looking at the big picture here, this entire discussion shouldn't even be happening because it’s targeting the personal life and actions of a moderator, someone who just happens to volunteer his spare time on a forum, making things simpler for everyone to communicate... ...now, if someone were to actually prove that he's browsing these forum pages during his official working hours, then sure, you might have some grounds for suspicion... but as far as any other possible solutions go, I’m going to lean on his legal protections: The Code of Ethics for Federal Employees,
A federal employee is obligated, within the scope of their authority, to ensure the realization of rights and the respect of the integrity and dignity of citizens and other federal employees without discrimination or favoritism based on age, nationality, ethnic or social affiliation, linguistic or racial origin, political or religious beliefs or inclinations, disability, education, social status, gender, marital or family status, sexual orientation, or on any other basis.
So, I really want to point out that you all seem to be on a bit of a witch hunt here, and by doing so, you're unacceptably interfering with his professional duties and his right to work...
A federal employee has the right to protection from harassment—that is, behavior intended to, or which actually represents, an affront to the dignity of the employee, which creates fear or a hostile, humiliating, or offensive environment.
Bravo, loneraven25, bravo! Look, I am a passionate hater of signing petitions, but in this specific case, I honestly have nothing to add other than saying I agree completely. And I'm backing Brian Edwards6, not out of some automatic sense of camaraderie, but simply because he is an excellent moderator.
Amy Rivera66 said:Even when you report an offensive post, the mods just play dumb and look the other way to avoid punishing the offender. This whole forum runs on double standards. We need a complete overhaul of the moderation team.
Which post are we talking about? Which moderators? If you're going to claim there are double standards, give me a concrete example. And if you want them replaced, name names.
Amy Rivera66 said:They aren't responding because they know we're right and they have zero arguments left to defend themselves. Pathetic.
Who isn't responding? Defending what? And in what world are "we" right? There is no "we"—it's just you, and frankly, you're making no sense. "Pathetic"? What exactly is pathetic here? Can you try thinking for even a single second before you hit post? 😕
Henry Hernandez7 said:Look, this was obviously bound to happen sooner or later, but I want a straight answer. Why did I just get partially banned today after participating in several discussions without even trolling? I’m talking about being honest and sincere here. Do you want me to list out my grievances, or can we just get to the point?
Is there any hope that you’ll finally stop relentlessly attacking the local school board and their endless stream of PDFs? Seriously, just give it a rest. I can't stand seeing your posts anymore, and the worst part is, I don't even know who you are.
Every two days, you spin up a brand-new thread. Every single time, the mods, the admins, and the rest of us have to start from square one to explain things to you. But you never actually listen. You just grab onto any nearby discussion that lets you force your specific grievance back into the conversation, forcing us to repeat ourselves yet again. Then, you just open another thread titled "The World vs. Henry Hernandez7" and keep the cycle spinning. It’s been going on like this for months.
If you’re looking for a place to dump yet another pointless sub-thread, this is clearly it. You are shamelessly cluttering up an incredibly vital document.
Henry Hernandez7 said:What are you even picking a fight about? Since when did anyone ask for your opinion? I haven't had a single conflict with you, yet here you are, acting like a martyr and hunting me down across the entire forum just to lecture me. It’s honestly pathetic for someone in a moderator position—even if you are just a moderator for a PDF file.
Before you even think about asking me that: just ask us moderators. Duty. It’s a heavy word, isn’t it? Some people treat it like a suggestion, something you check off a list when you have nothing better to do. But let's be clear: duty isn't a hobby. It isn't a part-time gig you pick up between coffee breaks. It’s the backbone of everything that actually works in this country. When you step up, you don't get to negotiate the terms halfway through. You don't get to decide which responsibilities are "too much work" based on how you feel that morning. That kind of selective commitment is exactly why things fall apart. It’s like a structural beam in a skyscraper—if it decides it doesn't feel like holding up the weight today, the whole damn thing comes crashing down. Real responsibility means showing up when it's inconvenient, when it's exhausting, and especially when nobody is cheering for you. Anything less isn't duty; it's just playing pretend. It feels like reading the Wall Street Journal every single day. I can’t get enough of your posts; you're absolutely impossible to ignore.
The only sane way to deal with insults, trolling, flame wars, and all that nonsense is to report the post and let the moderators handle the cleanup and sanctions. Trying to "get even" or engaging in any kind of back-and-forth petty arguing? That gets wiped out and penalized immediately. I don't see why this is an issue.
Let’s be real: nobody—not even you, unless you're directly in the line of fire—wants to slog through five pages of people bickering over nothing or hurling digital insults at each other. It's usually just two or three strangers trading cheap shots. Breaking the rules like that is nothing more than polluting the thread. Just report them to the mods, enjoy watching them get hit with an infraction, and get back to having actual conversations that stay on topic.
Seriously, I still don't see the problem here.
And look, if you genuinely believe a specific moderator is playing favorites in a particular instance, take that specific case to the admins or super-mods. This whole "it happens constantly/hundreds of times/I'm a victim of injustice" type of thread is just 🙄.
crimsonsailor7 said:To the diaspora: would it be better if we had dedicated info threads containing nothing but links to websites, blogs, and useful posts, while all other discussions and comments stayed in the specific country threads like they are now? That way, information for newcomers would be in one clear place, without a million repetitive questions about visas and job hunting.
The issue is that those threads either exist or used to exist, but as both Wog Boy and Henry Moore2 pointed out, people either simply don't want to do a little digging or they just don't know how. Both scenarios are infuriating, and I feel especially for the regulars who constantly staff these threads.
Back when I was a moderator for the diaspora countless times (I mean literally dozens, if not more), I spent my time pleading, shouting, linking, and begging people not to repeat the same exact questions—to actually read the threads because everything has already been answered ten times over. We tried to stop people from treating the forums like a 24/7 help desk for every tiny triviality. We set up threads specifically for technical support, urged people to send a private message instead, and asked the "old pros" 😉, like Wog Boy, to jump into certain threads to provide advice and answers. None of it really worked.
People just take the path of least resistance, and that leads to a revolt from both the forum users and the mods. Honestly, if things hadn't gotten so out of hand, both sides would have gladly helped, and they certainly did try.
Unfortunately, in any toxic situation like this, someone who hasn't earned it sometimes ends up getting screwed over. But in my experience, if that happens, the mistake is corrected very quickly once it's pointed out to the moderators.
Scott Miller5 said:Regarding the topics on the diaspora forum, here is an opinion from one of us living abroad. As someone else mentioned, we view this forum as our virtual gathering place. Its primary purpose is socializing, relaxing, chatting, comparing prices, lifestyles, etc., and helping those who want to become immigrants. But we don't view this forum as an exclusive info desk for immigration advice, and I think I speak for most when I say: every hair on my body stands up when I read something like: "I am an engineer in XX profession with X years of experience, what are my chances of getting a visa for XY country? What odds do you expect? Can you give me a percentage?" Look, we aren't psychics, guys. Does anyone realize how stupid that sounds when they type it? I've wanted to respond so many times (but I know I'd get banned for it) that there is only one answer to a question like that: zero! Every single chat thread gets ruined by trolls looking for immigration advice or job hunting tips. I have plenty more to say, but I'm exhausted; my work schedule is brutal from dawn till dusk, but that's just life in Australia 😬don't blame me for being blunt.
I'm quoting this post only because it deserves a deep bow. 🙂 and signature 👍
Grace Diaz76 said:I’m with you there, but honestly, if a topic is already being discussed right on the first page, linking it feels redundant.
I was rushing earlier, so I didn't get a chance to finish my thought from the last post. Look, unless someone is systematically spamming the exact same topic over and over, the mods usually go the extra mile to link everything and post notifications. But sometimes, after seeing the same thing 5,000 times, we just run out of steam. 🙂 And in those instances, the users themselves usually jump in with comments like, "Dude, this thread has been posted a hundred times already, check here and there."
Disclaimer: I’m not pointing fingers at anything brightpuma started—I don't have a specific example in mind and it was a while ago. I’m speaking generally based on experience. That said, I realize there are exceptions to the rule where a moderator (and I’ll be the first to admit it, before you even mention Henry Moore2) could definitely step it up a bit more.
brightpuma said:What absolutely drives me up the wall is when they shut down a thread by just saying, "This topic already exists," without actually pointing out where it is. 🤷
If you know it's already there, then have the decency to drop a link to it... 🤷
Fine, you make a fair point. I can't argue with that logic. 🙂
Back during those few years when I was moderating the diaspora section, we tried implementing a dedicated chat topic at least three times—maybe even more, honestly. I can't recall the exact number. What I do remember is that every single attempt ended in an absolute train wreck. We’d get a couple of days of peace, and then the flame wars would erupt. The trolling, the clones, the insults, the warnings, the bans, the factionalism, the thread closures... it was just a never-ending cycle. Why does the chat format fail here? I have no clue. All I know is that it fails. Here’s another point: every single thread is essentially its own chat room. Aside from specific help requests, most topics are designed as social hubs for Americans living in certain countries. That doesn't mean others aren't welcome, but for reasons I find completely baffling, an "international" chat quickly devolves into a shouting match within days—like Canada versus Australia or something similar. Eventually, we realized it was better for everyone if we didn't provide a platform for that negativity. It isn't in our interest to constantly be fighting wars and handing out bans, nor is it in the users' interest to collect them or scroll through pages of pure bile. Is it a shame things work this way? Sure. But it’s not that big of a tragedy because the entire PDF is basically one giant chatroom anyway. That was always the intention, and that's how it functions.
locking threads:
No matter how meticulously we wrote the rules, the instructions, or the thread titles, there was always—and by "always," I mean several times a week or month—someone who would squeeze a thread like "USA - everything about visas, immigration, and documents" and "USA - how to find a job?" together into one messy post: "How do I get to the USA, sort my papers, and find a job?" Putting the moderators aside for a moment—it drives the users crazy. They end up reporting these threads and posts themselves. There is absolutely no reason to post duplicate threads when everything is explained clearly and loudly, and when typing a single word into a search bar would easily show you where everything belongs.
Mark Thompson6 said:OK, so tell me—do you honestly think it’s fair? I ask a question on an FBI thread about why a certain Moderator isn't speaking up, and I direct that question to the admins and mods, not her—because I don't expect her to jump in with a lightning-fast response. I basically asked, "Why should she even bother responding when she's doing this job for free anyway?" And from the look of it, she wasn't just facepalming; she was practically baring her teeth. So, she ignores the question actually meant for her, yet she jumps right in to answer questions that weren't even directed at her, using a line of reasoning that completely contradicts the version of "moderation" you were just pitching. Look, I called her out too, but her way of ignoring my inquiries was essentially playing a game of broken telephone. She’d talk about things I never even mentioned or asked, only to eventually shut down all communication entirely without providing a single shred of logic or explanation for her actions.
Alright, this is a legitimate grievance. It's not my place to weigh in or comment on it, but I am absolutely certain that the people actually involved in this mess will respond. Sometimes it isn't about a lack of willpower to reply; there are real reasons. Maybe the woman just has the flu. 🙂
Or to put it simply: I didn't intend to meddle in a specific situation that doesn't involve me... I just wanted to point out that if you're going to trash someone on the FBI boards, you need to provide a concrete example. As far as I know, shadowpilot8 is a fantastic woman and a great Moderator... I don't know you as well, but my opinion of you is also positive... So where did your interaction go wrong? Again, not my business... but the only way I know how to handle this is through a direct conversation about a specific issue. If you're arguing on the forums and you and the mod can't reach an agreement, the Super-Mods and Admins are always there. But they can only fix the situation if the facts are actually laid out for them. XY is 🤦 helping no one. 🙂
rustydrifter10 said:Please stop calling people out for anything without backing it up with links to prove your claims or by naming specific usernames. Vague, undefined accusations can't be verified, their credibility can't be confirmed, and therefore, they have no place here on this platform.
Well, looks like we're reading each other's minds... 😁
Kenneth Scott41 said:Yeah... since we've been through the same things, I feel like I understand you best, too. I get why you feel this way or that way regarding everything. 😉 Man... that tolerance! I'm doing the exact same thing you are. (Who would've thought? 😉) I'm prescribed 30mg three times a day, but it doesn't quite do the trick, so I'll take 60mg at once or maybe add some Xanax SR to the Oxazepam so it lingers a little longer. 😁 I read a lot about these pills, and I came across something saying Oxazepam is basically just a weaker version of Valium, and that getting off it is just as easy as it was to ramp up the dose. So, I guess it isn't such a disaster if you do end up relying on it, which is why I'm not particularly worried. It's a shame they don't make an Oxazepam SR; that would be perfect in my opinion.
Look, I'm not afraid of getting addicted to anything. Nothing man-made is going to be worse, more long-lasting, or more agonizing than detoxing from heroin... and that's something I can't avoid anyway. Am I going to end up with a runny nose because I'm craving Oxazepam? In the grand scheme of things, that is such a minor detail that I have absolutely zero reason to worry.
The info I have (though who knows how accurate it actually is 🙄) is that Valium, Apaurin, and Normabul are all essentially the same thing... and I'd go as far as to say that's true, based on my own experience.
Oxazepam actually caught me off guard after a long, long time. That doesn't usually happen with pills... but I can see this heading in a direction I definitely don't want to go.
nimblemaker52 said:Good grief, it’s like they’re crucified on a cross. Honestly, if I were a moderator, I’d be tempted to bash my own head against a wall just having to explain such elementary concepts in this language 🙂 😁
🤣 Look, 😬
It isn't hard to explain something to someone when you genuinely believe they aren't being malicious; the issue is always what gets lost in translation. We all have those moments where we just miss the point... not because we're stupid or acting out of spite, but just—well, things happen. The least I can do, since I've apparently taken on this role, is try to find some common ground. But I'll only bother if I'm truly convinced it was just a communication glitch and not someone intentionally trying to mess with me. Because if it's the latter, I am absolutely livid. 😈