diff --git a/html/user/moderation.php b/html/user/moderation.php
index d6d2d689e1..b9e49f1d17 100644
--- a/html/user/moderation.php
+++ b/html/user/moderation.php
@@ -9,9 +9,9 @@ To maximize discussion and flow of information,
 our message boards are moderated.
 Message board postings are subject to the following posting rules:
 ".post_rules()."
-Moderators may delete posts that violate any of these rules,
-and may suspend the posting privileges of anyone
-who repeatedly violates the rules.
+Moderators may delete posts that violate any of these rules.
+The authors of deleted posts will be notified via email.
+Gross offenders may have their accounts disabled to prevent further posting.
 
 <p>
 If you think a post violates any of the posting rules,
diff --git a/html/user/moderator_instructions.php b/html/user/moderator_instructions.php
index 617d5c79e2..c420fd7e3c 100644
--- a/html/user/moderator_instructions.php
+++ b/html/user/moderator_instructions.php
@@ -9,6 +9,18 @@ Your job as a moderator is to enforce the following rules:
 ".post_rules()."
 Delete posts or threads <b>only if they clearly violate
 one or more of these rules</b>.
+However, there may be other cases where it is alright to
+delete posts or threads as the moderator sees fit, 
+such as:
+<ul>
+<li>whole threads that have disintegrated into pointless
+argument, especially between a few parties, though the
+content might not exactly violate any of the rules above
+<li>older threads (that don't appear on current first page)
+that may contain less offensive but still questionable material
+<li>a thread needs massive cleanup can be temporarily
+deleted to hide it while cleanup takes place
+</ul>
 If in doubt, discuss it with other moderators on the email list.
 Please respect the following guidelines:
 <ul>
@@ -32,6 +44,29 @@ avoid deleting posts until someone complains about them
 (and, of course, don't delete them simply because someone has complained).
 
 </ul>
+<p>
+It is possible for an administrator to temporarily banish
+users by selecting the \"banish author\" link in each post.
+In this case each offending author is sent an e-mail stating
+he/she will be unable to post for two weeks.
+Moderators will also have the \"banish author\" button but
+should only use it in emergency cases, such as:
+<ul>
+<li>spammers suddenly littering the forums with garbage
+at a quick rate, or
+<li>egregious offenders (i.e. highly violent or pornographic
+images not suitable to children under 18 years old). 
+</ul>
+In normal cases, if a moderator wants to banish a specific
+author they must ask the adminstrator first. <b>Any</b>
+user banishment results in an e-mail to the internal
+moderation list describing who got banished and why.
+<p>
+<b>REMEMBER:</b>
+It is impossible to keep any internet forum free of yahoos.
+People will say incredibly stupid things when nobody can
+punch them in the face. Don't try to solve this problem -
+just try to maintain some level of sanity.
 ";
 page_tail();