Free Speech

Commenting on Islamic Extremists views is one thing but comments regarding the expulsion of all Muslims & Immigrants is something we won't except on here.
If you don't like the way we run the site , here's the door, Goodbye.

 

Free Speech.

There is no such thing as 'Free Speech' on this, or just about any other Internet forum. There never has been, there is no civil rights issue here.
We are essentially a private club, and operate within guidelines laid down by those of us running the place, with the (not insubstantial) bills being paid by Otto.

We are ring-fenced & moderated for a reason. If anyone wishes real free speech then I can entirely remove the moderation and we can all enjoy the company of chaps like the gent removed last week that enjoys wearing his Brownshirt Uniform in Public. Along with every other loony that posts racist abuse, is plain mad, or even wants to sell us mobile phones, that most members get to hear absolutely nothing about as we sweep them away.
I'm sure the place would be a bundle of laughs with such a happy-go-lucky tribe being allowed to crayon all over whatever they like... Or is it possible that most are happy to research or chat within a few ground rules of politeness and protection. Many of the posts here certainly seem to see it this way.

As for closing threads - tough.
One thread closed for a day, with no bannings or other action, generating anything more than a raised eyebrow is peculiar to me.
It is, after all, only the Internet.

Accusations of 'PC' being the reason for closing threads is also incorrect.
Rather than PC, it is a simple matter of respect.
We are an international forum who's visitors reflect every creed and colour. When open abuse is being offered to any group based on those factors then I will act to protect the reputation and balance of the forum (particularly when a volume of complaints is coming in from people I know to be level headed). Extremists may be a fair target, but anyone being associated automatically with extremism by virtue of their shared race or religion is not acceptable, particularly when it plays into the hands of agent provocateurs who wish to create as much division as possible along such lines.

Another good reason for closing threads is when they're becoming boring, and/or distracting from the overall use of the place to discuss World War Two... So this one's looking ripe for closure too.

Sorry chaps, there is no justice here - Just us.
We're no better or worse than other members, we just have to keep the place tidy, make the trains run on time... and deal with the day-to-day strangeness of running any largish Internet endeavour.

~A

Now, back to WW2?