Asking once is spamming?
If you asked just once, i'd be surprised if you got a timeout. Normally just your message would be deleted I think.
I think its easy from what i remember to add a timeout though as you delete a message. Could have just been a misclick or overzealousness on the part of the person moderating your comment.
What you do in those situations is go, ok, not happening here, i'll follow up through a more appropriate channel.
What you don't do is start shouting about the violence inherent in the system and claim you are being repressed. Because that is a good way to get the mods clamping down on you.