Posts by Christian Howard2

Alright, I'm back. Sorry to keep you guys waiting.

Look, this thread has definitely spiraled out of control lately. People have been throwing insults around and getting way too personal with one another, but honestly? That’s no reason to just kill the discussion entirely.
I'm going to unlock the thread, but I’ll be stepping in to moderate it personally—and I mean being a bit more hands-on than we have been up until now.
So, you can jump back in soon, but let's keep it civil. No insults, no blatant trolling, and please, stop attacking each other instead of actually talking about the topic at hand. Just a reminder: hate speech and similar nonsense are strictly against our forum rules and the community guidelines outlined in the handbook.

Aaron Phillips2 said:Is Christian Howard2 here? You know, the one in charge of the Women's Corner and Complaint?
If not, when can we expect her?
I really don't want the admin team here to be a carbon copy of some mediocre US government bureaucracy, where after I file a formal complaint, I then have to open yet another separate thread just to argue about how my first complaint was handled. Does that sound efficient to anyone?

And while we're at it—since posts seem to be vanishing into thin air and you're basically the only one actually talking to us—can someone please tell me how to get a hold of Christian Howard2? If she’s the one running the Women's Corner and handling complaints regarding moderators, I need to talk. Especially since certain moderator posts—both current and former—seem to be getting a free pass and going unpunished.

I'm here! Just catching up on everything. I'll chime in soon.

redbear2 said:Nothing is closed. I’m looking for straight answers, not a way to dodge the question.

Sure, deciding what passes is in the hands of the mods, but that doesn't answer my question. I didn't come here for a lecture on obvious logic I already understand. I have a problem, and I came here for a solution. As moderators, that’s your job; otherwise, there wouldn't be a need for the role at all.

My question is: what is allowed and what isn't? If I don't know where the line is, how am I supposed to stay within the rules? Do you honestly expect users to just intuitively sense what's acceptable? How does this actually work? Sorry, but I'm not psychic. I can't guess which specific insult a moderator might subjectively perceive as a valid point and which one they'll decide is an attack.

And let’s be real: it's not that "colorful language" isn't allowed on CNN; it's that insults are permitted selectively. I'm asking for the criteria you use to differentiate between a permissible comment and an insult. I'm asking so I can navigate this myself and avoid getting banned for offending someone.

If you can't answer that, then logically, you aren't using criteria at all. You're just handing out bans based on how you feel in the moment. That's absurd. You might find something offensive that wouldn't bother the target, and then you ban me for it. Or, I could throw an insult that wouldn't bother you, but would offend the recipient, and you'd let it slide. That's not a functional system. You shouldn't be choosing who gets offended; moderation that relies on personal feelings instead of objectivity has no business being on a forum.

Furthermore, if users don't know what's permitted, how can you justify punishing them for breaking the rules? If murder weren't against the law, how could you convict someone for it? So, I'll ask again: what is your basis for distinguishing between allowed and disallowed insults? If there is an objective standard you use, share it with the community so everyone actually knows where the boundaries are.

I'm waiting for a direct response to all of this.

The easiest way is to just not insult anyone, then you won't have to worry about it.
All the rules are open to subjective interpretation by the mods.
There is no objective formula that covers every single nuance of an infraction—not in moderation, and honestly, not even in real life. We just have to rely on the moderators' judgment.

And no, profanity isn't allowed on CNN, but insults are selectively permitted. I'm asking you: what criteria are you using to differentiate between allowed and disallowed insults? I'm asking so I can navigate this myself and avoid getting a ban for insulting someone.

If you're going to make accusations like that, bring some concrete examples where people were selectively allowed to insult others while others weren't.

If you can't give me an answer to that, it logically follows that you aren't differentiating based on rules, but rather handing out bans based on your subjective feelings in the moment. It's absurd. You could be offended by something that wouldn't bother the person it was aimed at, and end up banning me for it. But if I throw an insult that wouldn't bother you, but would offend the target, you won't ban me. It simply can't function that way. You shouldn't be choosing who gets offended; such subjective moderation has no business being on a forum.

Furthermore, if users don't know what's permitted, how can you possibly punish them for breaking the rules? If murder wasn't illegal under U.S. law, how could you convict someone for it? So I'm asking again: what is the basis for differentiating between acceptable and unacceptable insults? If you actually have an objective framework for doing this, then share it here with all the users so we can actually recognize what's allowed and what's not.

I expect a direct answer to all of this.

The rules state what is and isn't allowed, and users should follow those.

redbear2 said:Fine.

So, what insults am I actually allowed to use then? What’s the actual logic behind deciding which insults fly and which ones get us banned?

I'm itching to roast you here, I just don't know how to go about it without breaking a rule.

I'll even give you a little kiss if you help me out. Seriously, I've even got a few good ones lined up for the ladies.

As Rachel Ramos27 pointed out, there was a bit of an oversight here, but we've handled it by moving those heated posts over to the thread specifically meant for heavy debates.😁

Just because Zuckerberg allows for some sharper language and more intense arguments—and because our moderation style tends to be a bit more laid back—doesn't mean we're looking to encourage personal attacks or toxic behavior. That's definitely not the goal.

Deciding where to draw that line always falls on the moderators, but it's really up to all of you to try and stick to the community guidelines and just... you know, show some basic decency.

I think we can consider this whole situation wrapped up now.

I’ve got a similar little trick up my sleeve. I take some thick Greek yogurt—I’m a huge fan of the Chobani tubs you find at Target—and toss in a handful of dried cranberries.
Honestly, it hits the spot better than most ice cream brands out there.

Look, calling them "livestock" isn't some kind of slur when you're talking about farm animals. In fact, folks who actually raise these animals use the term all the time. There’s a real sense of respect there—they care for them deeply because those animals are what put food on their family's table. It's a way of life.
The word wasn't meant to be an insult. If you look at the end of the thread, you'll see photos of pigs, horses, and sheep mixed in with the usual cats and dogs, along with a few other creatures too.

I'll admit, the title was a bit of a clumsy choice. It didn't land quite right, but I promise there wasn't any malice behind it. No one was trying to be mean-spirited here.

That post you linked really just shows how much I was aiming for a bit of dark humor rather than actually trying to insult pet owners—and trust me, as a fellow pet lover myself, I know how sensitive that can be!
There’s honestly a much classier way to tell someone you don't like their thread title without making it sound like a personal attack.
And look, if you truly feel like I messed up or crossed a line, feel free to report me.

Honestly, this was exactly what I needed to fix my issue.
Thanks so much! :-)

ironharbor8 said:Look, ads are fine. They don't bother me, and I get why they need to be there. The issue is this fixed width. If you're going to insist on a fixed layout, please shrink it down to something readable. At least 950 pixels, though personally, I think 850 would be better. That way, it stays legible even on most modern smartphones.

Ultimately, if you choose to be stubborn, just wait for the mid-term statistics to tell you exactly what you need to do...

If you're rocking an Android, you should really grab Tapatalk. This forum supports it, and it makes reading everything on your phone a breeze.
We shouldn't have to shrink the entire forum layout just to accommodate mobile users.

Honestly, looking at what’s left of this Reddit community, it doesn't even feel halfway full anymore. It gives me this constant, nagging sensation that my monitor is actually tilting to one side.

I’ve got an adblocker running, so I can't actually see that monstrosity, but yesterday—for some reason I still can't wrap my head around—it kept redirecting me straight to Nokia's site without me even clicking anything. So, yeah, definitely not. I wouldn't buy that piece of junk even if it was the last thing left on Earth.☕

You really have to try this Horn-Poppy-Chicken-Carrot cake. Honestly, it’s one of those recipes that sounds like a total fever dream when you first read it—whoever thought of mixing poppy seeds with carrots and chicken? I know, I know, it sounds wild! But trust me, once it's out of the oven, the flavors just sort of... click. It’s incredibly moist, almost like a dense pound cake but with much more character. I remember my grandmother used to make something similar back in the day, though she always added an extra dash of cinnamon that made the whole house smell like heaven. I tried tweaking the ratio last weekend because I felt like it needed a bit more sweetness, and I think I hit the jackpot. If you're looking for something a little different to serve with your coffee, this is definitely it. Just don't skip the poppy seeds—they add that perfect little texture that ties everything together. Give it a shot!

Here’s the original recipe, though I’ve gone ahead and bolded all the little tweaks I made to my own version:
Just a heads-up on the measurements: that cup is actually about 7 ounces.

Three eggs—make sure you separate those yolks from the whites first!
Grab yourself about 3/4 of a cup of brown sugar. Eight teaspoons of stevia. That’s quite a bit, isn't it?
Just one cup of milk. Simple, right? Though, honestly, I was staring at the fridge for way too long this morning wondering if I had enough left for my cereal. It’s funny how such a tiny thing can throw off your whole breakfast routine. Anyway, just one cup. That's all you need. Add another 1/3 cup of Yogurt to that.
Just six tablespoons of oil. That's all you need. Just three tablespoons of oil. That’s really all you need.
Just a splash of rum.
Lemon and orange zest. Just thinking about that bright, citrusy aroma makes me want to get back in the kitchen immediately. There’s something so incredibly grounding about grating fresh peel right before you bake. It’s like capturing a little burst of sunshine in a bowl. I remember my grandmother used to insist that if you weren't using the zest, you weren't really making a dessert—you were just making something sweet. She was a tough critic, but man, she knew her citrus!
Just a touch of vanilla.
Just one teaspoon of baking powder. Simple, right? But honestly, if you don't get that measurement exactly right, the whole thing can go sideways. I remember trying to bake some sourdough bread back in Chicago once—well, more like a heavy pancake hybrid, actually—and I eyeballed the leavening agent. Total disaster. It was more of a brick than a breakfast. So, yeah. One teaspoon. Don't skip it!
Just one cup of flour. That’s all you need. Just one cup of ground oats. Simple, right? Sometimes you don't need anything fancy.
It’s about half a cup each of Horn-Poppy-Chicken-Carrot—you know, the grated carrot, coconut, and poppy seeds.

First, whip those egg yolks together with the sugar. Personally, I just toss the whole eggs in with some stevia right from the start—it saves me a bit of a mess! Once that’s smooth, just fold in the rest of your ingredients one by one.
First, you’ve got to whip those egg whites into a proper snow—stiff peaks only! Once they're looking perfect, gently fold them into the batter. It makes all the difference.
Pop it in the oven at 350°F and let it bake for about 40 minutes. That’s usually my sweet spot!

I actually threw in a small grated apple this time around, though honestly? I think I’ll skip that step next time.
It slipped out a little bit. I honestly don't know how people deal with this level of dampness. It’s one thing when a little rain hits, but this? This is something else entirely. It feels like the air itself is just heavy and soaking through everything you own. I was looking at my favorite boots earlier—you know, the ones I bought back in Chicago last fall—and I could practically feel the moisture seeping into the leather just by looking at them. It’s exhausting, really. You spend all morning trying to stay dry, only to realize halfway through lunch that you've already lost the battle. Just one of those days where everything feels a bit too much. No, I'm talking about the original—though, honestly, that might have just been an extra apple.🤷...but honestly? It's fantastic.

Check out this beauty:


I didn't quite have the guts to go full rebel and swap out all the oil for applesauce this time around. I mean, I was close! But next time? I think I’ll try cutting back by at least a tablespoon. Small steps, right?

David Price5 said:That’s why you always end up watching things twice. Once you already know how the plot unfolds, you can really focus on the dialogue and the delivery...

Look, I could sit there analyzing every single syllable until next Tuesday, but what's the point if I can't even make out half the words? It's like trying to follow a movie in French when you haven't even mastered high school Spanish!😬

I honestly struggle so much with subtitles whenever I’m watching foreign films.
My English is great, so seeing those terrible translations just drives me crazy—sometimes they completely miss the entire point of a scene! It makes me wonder, though, when I’m watching something in a language I don't speak, how much of the actual soul of the movie am I losing? You're basically just left at the mercy of whoever decided to translate it.

Whenever a guy and a girl are sprinting away from some villain or a monster, the woman is going to definitely trip and take a tumble.