I have been banned twice in three (or maybe four) days by an admin named Herod and, additionally, warned once. I will briefly describe these incidents:

1. I commented during a game "the power of christ compelled black to take those stones." This is simply a popular movie reference and was made because the resulting black shape was a cross. He PMs me with "you're on notice" for this very innocent comment. I replied "blah blah don't bother me" as I felt his warning was completely uncalled for. A little later I was banned for making "disrespectful comments." I'm not sure if my first or second comment earned the ban, but both were very mild. Was a 24 hour ban really necessary?

2. I was observing a a handicap game involving an 8 dan. The 8d played some questionable moves and I commented "w is not 8d." The account is relatively new, and, though the rank was solid, it is reasonable to assume that white's rank wasn't settled yet (this is a defense for the rationale of my comment even though I don't think it should be necessary). For this comment I was warned in chat in bold "do not be disrespectful to the players." This warning was ridiculous as several observers commented. Notably, Freddo asked "since when are we not allowed to comment on a player's strength?" What I took from this warning is that Herod has some other issue with me and was just harassing me.

3. Just a couple of minutes ago I was watching a game with a player ranked [5d?] (gingko2). I looked at his rank graph and saw that he was a fairly stable 1 dan. So I commented "b is not 5d" and "he is 1d." The user superPal had a few exchanges concerning his rank and then Herod warned not to discuss ranks! I then commented (perhaps unwisely, but annoyed) "not this herod troll, again." A little later I was banned. The ban message was "do not be disrespectful to the players." Therefore, I assume I was banned for saying the black player was 1d (a conclusion based off his rank graph).

I have had issues with the admins in the past. I have PMed them and complained, and I have been banned before. Lately, I have just ignored them and accepted that I have the unfortunate knack for ticking them off. This, however, is too much to ignore. All three of these incidents show that Herod is using his mod powers to bully me and possibly other users.

Has anyone else had any issues with this admin?

The admins that generate the most complaints on KGS hardly ever play go. I don't think they even understand whats happening in a game anymore.

I just sent the following message to admin@gokgs.com

If a policeman stopped me without probable cause, I'd be rather curt with him too. Not that KGS admins have the same responsibility for probable cause, but I didn't bring up the analogy.

If a policeman stopped me without probable cause, I'd be rather curt with him too. Not that KGS admins have the same responsibility for probable cause, but I didn't bring up the analogy.

Maybe the analogy fails, then. My point was that explaining the joke might have been a better course of action than saying "don't bother me". If "Herod" continued the attitude then, there was nothing to do, but dismissing him like that is not something that I'd do.

If a policeman stopped me without probable cause, I'd be rather curt with him too.

Well, I received the expected response from BigDoug. Basically, he agrees with Herod (except in the second case, which he ignored).


I've had issues with KGS admins before. I perceived Herod's warning as an insult so I was rude in kind. I'm not going to be nice to someone trying to unjustly pressure me even if he is operating in some kind of official capacity. "You're on notice" is rude. Many other admins might have said "please, don't make religious references." Even though calling "the power of christ compels you" a religious reference is absurd, I wouldn't have been rude to an admin if warned in such a manner.

Let me see if I can make sense of this:

1) You make a joke
2) Admin clearly does not understand that it is a joke.
3) You have an opportunity to enlighten admin.
4) Instead, you choose to insult admin.

...and it goes south from there.

I can't see how you can expect any other result when you make that choice.

I've had issues with KGS admins before. I perceived Herod's warning as an insult so I was rude in kind. I'm not going to be nice to someone trying to unjustly pressure me even if he is operating in some kind of official capacity. "You're on notice" is rude.