I recently got an email from Mr. Moe. Amongst other things, she says that she hated DF'ing when she was a dub, so she abhores the banning of certain posters from this site, because it seems so similar to DF'ing.
I think her opinion is of great value and warrants looking at closely. Is suspending someone for the contents of their posts justifiable then? The analogy is at first very persuasive, especially when it is likened to DF'ing, which is undoubtedly a barbaric and unscriptural practise IMHO.
But is it really comparable? Last week, in my local pub, a bunch of contract workers walked in and asked for Guiness's all round. They stood at the bar drinking their ale and were amiable enough, except that every other word seemed to be of the 4 letter variety. The Landlord beetled over quickly and said: "Mind your language please gentlemen, we won't tolerate those words in here".
They replied that they were sorry, and, for a few minutes all was well. However, the 4 letter words came up again, so Ron the landlord said: "Right. I've told you once. This is the last time. Now quit it."
They stopped for a while, but eventually it resurfaced. Ron said nothing. Eventually they asked Ron for more pints of Guinness. Ron just said: "No. I'm not serving you. I don't want you in my pub."
At this point they got really mad, and us locals were worried that we might have to assist Ron if they became violent. As you would expect, having blown their welcome, the obscene language flowed thick and fast and was accompanied by threats of violence. Eventually they huffed off vowing retribution.
So my point is this: Has Ron disfellowshipped those guys who wouldn't abide by the rules? Are we, as regulars, forbidden to speak with them if we so choose? Or has Ron just exercised his power of veto and stated what behaviour is / isn't acceptable by guests on his premises, and prohibits entry to those who refuse to comply?
So has Simon got the same rights as Ron in the pub? Only Simon has the power to suspend a poster at this site, and, after all, isn't this place kinda like Simon's pub?
Englishman.