[tangerine]

We try to give members as much leeway as practical to discuss items of interest.

We have found through years of experience that some topics predictably veer into circular arguments that only seem to inflame people and result in personal attacks.

All threads are dealt with on a case by case basis and usually it is only when a topic has derailed that moderators post warnings in the thread to stay on topic. After that, if off-topic discussion and/or personal attacks continue, the thread may be closed or removed.

The thread that you started about the woman on the train had no potential for any positive discussion that we could see. It was simply an invitation for people to bash her for her rudeness, or to defend her on grounds of discrimination. We are not interested in hosting topics like this.

We are sensitive to the issues you bring up. We consciously and constantly walk the line between allowing people to express opinions and keeping things orderly. For every person that complains that we are too restrictive, there is another who compliments us on keeping the forums friendly and relatively free of trolls and flamers. We know we cannot please everyone all the time. Feel free to continue to offer suggestions or critiques, but please accept that the moderating team reserves the right to make final decisions on content.