Finger pointing and name calling comes with free speech, Brother Nigel.
Some choose to operate that way, and it's their right, just as it is yours and mine not to do so. It doesn't bother me in the slightest. I'd rather see people express themselves as they see fit and not have to read sanitised-through-fear versions of themselves. This stifles creativity and pureness of thought.
Being a free-speech advocate, I've understood from the get-go that I'm not going to like some of what people say, but that's part of the charm and indeed expected. Besides, it can be entertaining.
Well fair enough, brother. I appreciate the use of that term, as it is spiritually correct in that we all share the same animating spirit within, called Life. Notice how it always penetrates our awareness with sensations from the body and impressions from the environment? Hence, "The Father." Makes us all brothers and sisters if we can see that.
Here on this forum, which is privately owned, we do not have any "rights." We do enjoy the privilege of membership, which is earned and maintained with effort. Best way to lose a privilege is to falsely believe it to be a right, and stick up for it belligerently. The right to free speech is guaranteed in the founding documents of the United States, meaning the government is prohibited to persecute you for speaking freely, even if its elected officials disapprove. That is a rule of government by the people, for the people. A blessing for sure!
Posting on this site is
not the same, and as commercial vehicle, no such rights exist
here. It is a game, which has players (us), rules, officials (the owner/mods who make/enforce the rules), and penalties/rewards for following the rules. If we don't like it, we are free to create our own game, yes?
That said, I've got pretty thick skin myself, and do appreciate the rough-and-tumble authenticity of self-expression you espouse. Our site owner, however, is the top official and ultimately makes the rules as he sees fit for his game. He earned the that privilege by paying for it. I've found him to be fair and balanced, though not everyone else might. He is a busy man has his own idea of what he wants this place to represent. It has gotten far from its original intended purpose, at least, in the off-topic forum.
I appreciate your feedback and enjoy our back and forth. Here's something for you, which features a Fender Tonemaster!