96 posts shown.
Noah Rivera5 said:I don't plan on voting since I’m pretty indifferent toward Stinger. But honestly, I think he’d do a much better job if he took a page out of his colleagues' books; take Grace Turner, for example, who stays completely under the radar for me. She just handles business when necessary and moves on, without all the unnecessary bickering, insults, or trying to force her opinion on everyone. I guess Stinger acts more like one of us forum users than someone who's actually supposed to be overseeing the situation.
Thanks for the comment; I definitely sign off on that part too.
As for the voting, there's actually a third option out there.👍
Grace Turner said:Maybe the results will actually reflect what the community thinks better if the poll doesn't stay open forever. It’ll be easier for those users with zero posts and stuff to vote later on.
Well, if that happens, just go ahead and disqualify them.
On the flip side, since Michael Lee4 has been around here forever, is it even possible he's got a bunch of clones running around? 🤷?
Look, I'm a guy with actual integrity; I stand by everything I write. I don't need games, I don't need clones, none of that stuff.
It's just the arrogance, the sheer ego, the unfairness, and the constant insults that get under my skin.
Michael Lee4 said:@Noah Perez9
blablabla... seriously, just post all the PMs between us because I am definitely not explaining this whole thing from scratch. Like I said, you're a lost cause. Someone who keeps getting three strikes in a row for the exact same thing, and then gets a fourth for that same reason? It’s no surprise his chat history got wiped on the new models, just like how that guy's Polo burns a quart of oil every 1865 miles... he still hasn't figured it out... and he still can't seem to read what's actually written, just stubbornly repeating the same thing over and over like a parrot...
Just another classic case of condescension and being totally closed off... which is exactly why you clearly aren't grasping why we're all constantly questioning your moderation style.
"Blah blah blah"?!.......Honestly, that's the last time I saw a response like that, and it was in a preschooler's playground.
Raymond Palmer8 said:Michael Lee4 is a moderator I have massive respect for ever since he handed me a warning.
A warning—honestly—isn't what made my opinion of him grow. It was actually the PM where he explained why he had to do it. Even though he felt just as bad as I did about it, he had to lay down the law because I broke the rules.
So basically: he’s consistent, objective, and doesn't play favorites.
Michael Lee4 👍
Maybe he just had a different experience than I did, where they were talking down to me like I’m some kind of nobody. Honestly, he just took all his frustrations with other people on Reddit and dumped them right on my head, which is totally uncalled for. It’s just one of those things, you know? Yesterday it was me getting the short end of the stick, tomorrow it’ll be someone else. Just how it goes.
I'm telling you again, man...
Look, I don't care about the warnings, the bans, or whatever other moderation tactics they throw at us. It doesn't change anything..
Honestly, I can't stand the way Mr. Stinger operates. The way he treats people on this forum? It’s just insulting.
Honestly, we could probably start an entire separate thread just to talk about how much people lack any sense of consistency around here.
Michael Lee4 Asks:
Look, honestly, I could just go on a power trip, handing out bans like candy, tossing red cards around, and wiping everything clean whenever I felt like it—but that’s just not my style. I can't stand working like that. Just imagine how messy things would get if I actually did, and how many people would end up exactly like this. 😁
Man, you really missed the mark on that one. You completely whiffed.
That's it. That's the whole thing.
bit Man, these polls... you really do this all the time, don't you?
Regarding that poll closing... honestly, I think you should just leave it open for the full 20 days, or let it just die out on its own. If you shut it down early, you're just going to have everyone breathing down your neck, complaining that you didn't give everyone a fair shot to weigh in. It’s a headache waiting to happen.
Michael Lee4 said:What am I even supposed to say to someone who drops 1,500 posts of just pictures in three months? 😁
That conversation you took personally was really about how you guys turned car guessing into the main topic, flooding the feed with camping photos, car reviews, and non-stop quoting of images...
Don't try to take my "insult" out of context... just quote the full sentence or sentences where those words actually show up.
As for me "not having time" to moderate the forum... do you honestly think any moderator on this site has the time to read every single thing? That’s why the report button (those little triangles under the avatars) exists—so you users can flag issues when you run into them.
The way I spend my time or what I choose to write here on Reddit has absolutely nothing to do with you. Seriously, who do you think you are, judging someone else based on how they pass the hours, what their hobbies are, or what actually brings them any kind of damn joy?
If I actually stooped to your level, I could just as easily sit here and nitpick how you spend your life copy-pasting links from the web—whether it’s about some new car models or whatever random show is airing on TV this week. Seriously, what do you even bring to this place? What's your actual contribution to the community? How is what you do any different from what I do? And honestly, in those rare moments when you actually bother to type out an original thought, you mostly just end up insulting everyone else on the board.
Look, you just have to accept it once and for all: people don't share your interests, and they sure as hell don't communicate the same way you do. It’s just how it is.
silenteagle28 said:Look, man, no hard feelings, but that username definitely suits you. 😁
When you look at the sheer volume of posts, the number of threads started, and the years spent hanging out on the Reddit Auto forum, Michael Lee4 is basically irreplaceable. That specific topic you were writing about is just one example of how things go down here—it’s an endless loop of bickering, trying to outsmart one another, and constant debating. Generally speaking, I can already tell which threads are destined to be locked by default because some people are just waiting for a chance to troll, and in those cases, it's better to nip it in the bud immediately. Granted, there's that theory that everything becomes more tempting once it's forbidden, but I truly see no reason why Michael Lee4 should be removed.
And no, I'm not defending him just because we've never actually met, spoken, or had any kind of contact in real life.
One more thing: Arguing on the internet is like competing on the special Olympics. Even if you win, you're still a retard. 😉
Not even close! Not even a little bit!
Look, I’m all for democracy. Freedom of speech? Absolutely. I'm fully behind it. As for the handle... honestly, I picked it on purpose. I don't exactly view myself as some big-shot gentleman—just a regular guy, really.
Look, I respect your take, and honestly, I’m not even looking to pick a fight with the moderation team. It’s just that... man, the way Michael Lee4 handles things? It’s something else. That's where I draw the line.👎
By the way, take a look at that thread I started. Honestly? None of what I laid out is actually happening in the real world. Not a single bit of it.
Michael Lee4 said:Just saying, polls aren't happening. I only want written arguments regarding my removal. So, the poll is out; just write them down, it's easy enough to list them...
There won't be any retaliation, so don't even try it.
Of course you're doing your usual thing... try not to label everyone's opinion as "being a jerk."
The arguments are already right there in the post, and people usually use a poll to vote on whether they actually agree or not.
Hey everyone on Reddit!
So, this whole debate about whether Mr. Stinger is actually doing a decent job with moderation or if he’s just being way too extra with his power trip has popped up on Reddit a few times now. Seriously, how many times are we going to circle the drain on this one?
First off, just a few quick words about myself. I'm in my 40s, a family man, living in New York City, and highly educated.
So, I’ve only been hanging out on Reddit for a few months now—mostly because I’ve got way too much free time on my hands—but I’ve already been jumping into a few different threads. Honestly? My whole experience on this site has been more than alright. Actually, it's been pretty great.
Of course, just like in real life, you always run into people who totally vibe with you and others who couldn't be more different. Because of that mix, you end up with all these messy discussions that drift between being on-topic and completely off-topic. I’ve noticed the moderation team here on Reddit covers a pretty wide spectrum, too. I get what their role is—they’re there to keep a lid on things and maintain some order, but still jump into the fray and actually participate in the conversations.
My first experience with Stinger—which was honestly both shocking and pretty awkward—happened shortly after I joined this Reddit community. See, the crew here that does the car guessing games is top-tier; everyone’s got a great spirit, plenty of healthy banter, and they're just regular, normal people. Everything was running smoothly, that is, until Stinger showed up, dropped this line, and slammed the thread shut:
Since a few people have turned this thread into their own private little drama fest, I’m assuming there’s really no point in keeping it open anymore. Honestly, I just don't have the energy to waste my free time cleaning up after you guys—dealing with all the trash, the endless whining about who's doing what, and handing out warnings to people who clearly aren't going to learn how to act on a site like Reddit... Next time, it won't be a warning. It'll just be a permanent ban.
This was posted back on May 8th of this year, but unfortunately, the thread is gone now. See, Michael Lee4 has this habit of scrubbing his little verbal outbursts like this whenever he wants—just to make sure there’s no paper trail left behind to serve as an example of his "stellar" moderation skills or his... let's call it "extensive" vocabulary.
I jumped on him immediately, demanding he explain why he was barging in and being such a jerk, but after a few back-and-forth messages, it became pretty obvious to me that I was fighting a losing battle.
So, they finally opened up the thread after scrubbing all those "controversial" posts—which, let's be honest, were always just pictures of cars and some commentary to go along with them.
Please, throw in some of your own stories if you've ever dealt with something like this. I'd love to hear them.
His entire vibe was just... pure exclusion. Arrogant, condescending, and honestly? Just plain insulting. I’m pretty sure most of the people on this forum have already dealt with someone exactly like him. He didn't even try to hide his elitism, though—he laid it out perfectly in his very next sentence: I see you're the new guy. You've only been around for fifteen days and you've already managed to dump three hundred posts worth of absolute nonsense onto the board...
This is just a straight-up confirmation of how narrow-minded they are. Honestly, it’s one of those flaws a moderator shouldn't even have, let alone feel comfortable airing out in public. Look, my personal freedom is about deciding what, where, and when I post on this Reddit, as long as the actual content isn't breaking any rules. Simple as that.
So, anyway, Michael Lee4 is out here breaking all the rules on Reddit. He’s constantly tearing into other users—calling people morons or idiots, and then hitting them with that condescending, patronizing crap like "sweetie" or "honey." On top of that, he’s just spamming emojis instead of actually typing anything useful, and half his posts aren't even about the topic at hand. Total off-topic nonsense.
And honestly? I’ll just admit it—I’m totally inconsistent when it comes to moderating. I basically just wing it based on whatever mood I'm in at the moment. It’s all pretty arbitrary, really. Plus, let's be real, it definitely depends on which user I'm dealing with.
Look, here’s the deal... I definitely don't have the time to go around browsing and reading through every single thread on here. If I notice something that catches my eye, I’ll chime in if I feel like it's worth my breath. Sometimes I'll be chill about it, sometimes I'll go off on people... there isn't really a set rule for how I handle things.
Look, let's get one thing straight here: when it comes to how we react or how things get moderated around here, Mr. Stinger is the only one calling the shots. Period.
Look, here's my bottom line. This forum should be a place to swap ideas, debate tastes, have some fun, and actually engage in civilized arguments—you know, staying within the rules, sure, but still having that sense of freedom to speak your mind without feeling like the moderators are just picking on us or acting like tyrants whenever they feel like it. So, I’m putting it to the community: let's see where everyone stands on this. Let's hear it.
Are we seriously still pushing for Mr. Stinger to be a moderator on this Reddit thread?
Thanks to everyone for sticking with me and actually reading through this. I'm really looking forward to seeing what you guys have to say in the comments.
P.S. I intentionally kept the voting results for the members hidden. You know, just to save anyone from having to deal with any potential backlash or retaliation later on.
Samuel Palmer10 said:Don't even start... I'll give you his address and then we can pour some brake fluid right into his Skoda...
Solve it like an American...
Interesting idea, really, but I honestly don't want to sink down to Stinger's level...
Michael Lee4 said:People who just won't shut up... I've already written about this, but apparently, you didn't read it...
Look, I'm not the type to tell someone "don't do that" ten times in a row. If I have to tell you ten times, then no matter how dictatorial it sounds, there's nothing left to discuss. If I say it for the tenth time and imply even an idiot would get it, you shouldn't be offended. You're throwing a tantrum over one warning and a temporary thread lock because you broke the rules, acting like a total child. You're 40 years old? And since then, you've been stalking me across the site, waiting for anyone else to bark at me just so you can jump in? What did you even do with those 40 years of your life? If you were a kid, I might get it...
First off, I started this whole interaction on perfectly polite terms, which you promptly ignored by replying in your usual, messy style. Being new to the forum, I was honestly just stunned by how much of a wreck your communication is.
You haven't told me or explained anything ten times.
In our specific topic, we aren't spamming endless quote blocks with images; maybe once in every thirty or forty posts. We don't go off-topic constantly either, but apparently, nobody cares enough to report it, so why bother?
Nobody is stalking you, because there's no need to. You're everywhere with your arrogance and your "I'm always right" attitude—you even admitted yourself that you measure everything by your own crooked yardstick.
As for what I did with my forty years? I definitely don't owe you an explanation, and frankly, I couldn't care less how you spent yours.
copperbadger9 said:You’ve gotta realize that online, you’re gonna run into all sorts of people: the intellectuals, the uneducated, the geniuses, the idiots, those folks who actually want to share some useful knowledge, and then, finally, there are the ones who just show up to vent their own personal frustrations.
The mods are basically only here to deal with that last group. Honestly, as long as you aren't getting mixed up with the morons, you won't even notice who the moderators are—you won't have a single post flagged, deleted, or a thread locked in your face.
Just keep a good attitude and there's no reason to stress over who holds the moderator title... hang out on the site for what it’s actually for: swapping info, not wasting your breath trying to prove something to some random stranger you don't even know.
Thanks for the reply!
I totally agree with your point. The only thing that gets under my skin is how abrasive this one moderator is with his attitude—it's honestly the only thing I even notice. Someone in that position really shouldn't be acting at that level.
Why doesn't this happen on the other forums I visit?
So, let’s look at the big picture here. After 92 posts and roughly 30 different people chiming in—I didn't count them all, so feel free to set me straight if I'm off—only three or four of you are actually telling him to just go all in and commit... I'll let you draw your own conclusions on that one.
Man, I really wish I had been this strong, this confident, and this consistent back when I was twenty... Even with my life being relatively straightforward—no major traumas or massive tragedies to speak of—I still struggled more often than I'd like to admit. Honestly, I can only imagine what kind of ride life has in store for you with him by your side...
Grace Flores4 said:@tatinaprinceza:
Honestly, even just your handle gives you away—if you ask me, anyway:
- I’m guessing your folks really went all out for you growing up, you know? Like, they poured everything into your schooling and made sure you had the best childhood possible, both emotionally and, well, financially.
- But here’s the thing—they probably did you a massive disservice by shielding you from the real world. They kept you safe from every little hardship or rough patch, which I think is why you get so tripped up by stuff that seems obvious to everyone else. It’s probably why those chaotic, unstable guys catch your eye too (and yeah, age plays a part, I guess)—you basically grew up in a bubble. Sure, it’s secure, but man, it gets boring after a while.
Because of that whole setup, you just don't get how some people's heads actually work. You can't wrap your mind around the idea that someone could look you straight in the eye, lie to your face, and then just reach into your wallet and snatch $67 right out of it while swearing they love you. To you, that kind of darkness is just some foreign concept you're only starting to stumble upon...
then again, she did spend three years with that guy, so she probably knows him well enough...
Kenneth Brooks9 said:I've just got DirecTV... maybe they have that one??? Trainspotting???
Look, it's basically a movie about junkies in the USA.
It stars Obi-Wan Kenobi—wait, no, sorry, I mean Ewan McGregor (back when he was actually young, shot in '96, right around the time you finally ditched the cartoons 🙂).
Here's the link for you:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117951/
Fair warning though! The movie is brutally realistic.
Kenneth Brooks9, do you have cable or satellite TV with the A&E channel?
They’ve got this show called Intervention that dives into addiction in general—it isn't just about drugs, either.
It's a massive eye-opener! And hey, I think I mentioned Trainspotting before...
Don't go catching some Joan of Arc complex and start thinking you're God or something, tasked with saving his soul.
Look, let's be clear—I never actually said it was impossible for him to change, but the odds are so slim that I’d personally already be halfway across the country running the other way...
And kid, you wouldn't even be hanging out on this forum if your life were going smoothly... but making a call is always a hell of a lot easier when something (metaphorically) hits you over the head with it...
As for Megan Barnes3, she's being kind, sure, but she's being totally unrealistic about it... it's almost like saying a diabetic can just wish their disease away if they want it bad enough.
Matthew Rodriguez9 said:It's pretty obvious you're still pretty young and haven't seen how this works yet. 🙂
Look, honey, heroin is his number one priority, regardless of all those empty promises he’s feeding you... addicts are world-class liars... whatever comes out of their mouths is usually a fabrication...
To him, those other drugs are just a backup plan for when he can't get to his "princess," aka the heroin.
If you honestly believe he's been off heroin for six months while he's still shooting up, then you are being seriously naive! 👎
👍
I’ve said it before: once an addict, always an addict.
Princess, everything you’re typing here—trying to defend him, trying to justify what he does—it’s all the same old script we've seen a thousand times.
I don't want to lecture you, really, I know you've heard enough preaching from your parents to last a lifetime, but just look at the facts: what if everyone in AA and all those old-timers are actually right? Do you really want to be the one person fighting against the wind, hoping to be that tiny fraction of a percent—maybe even less—who actually beats this addiction, just so you can come back in a few years and say, "Aha! I told you so"?
Are you brave enough—or maybe just crazy enough—to actually take those odds?
Here’s the most likely scenario of how this plays out:
He’ll stick with therapy for a bit.
Maybe he'll feel a little better.
His personality might shift slightly.
But he’ll lie just like he always has.
Something "terrible" will happen, and he won't be able to handle the weight of it.
And then, he'll go right back to Elvis Presley, because that's his supposed "salvation."
Eventually, you’ll hopefully hit some kind of breaking point where you finally wake up and ask yourself: why did I swallow all this bullshit for so long?
You might even spiral into a deep depression because you spent so much time blinded by him, just wasting your life away...
Just cut that dead weight loose and choose something better for yourself.
Choose life (have you ever seen Trainspotting?)
Cheers!
Kenneth Brooks9 said:Man, I just want one minute to give him a piece of my mind—straight up. That’s all I need to see how he reacts before I decide what my next move is...
Honestly? Most of the time, his brain is just a broken record spinning around his next fix and all the messy bullshit preventing him from getting it....
In those rare, clear-headed moments, he actually wants to quit—he truly does. But then the withdrawal hits, the body starts screaming, and everything else just vanishes. He’s back to hunting that high....
It’s a damn vicious cycle. Save yourself, okay? You can get past this. You’re young, you’ve got your whole life ahead of you in this country...
Everyone deals with their own mess, big or small.
Life is hard enough as it is without making it even more miserable and complicated... there are plenty of other great guys out there who deserve your attention—people who will give you happiness instead of nothing but grief and misery... find someone worth winning with, not someone who just drags you down...
In most cases, you’re looking at a losing battle. I don't mean that addicts can't get clean—they can—but let's be real: they can absolutely wreck just about every single aspect of your life in the process...