Derek, with respect, it is your show and your house and you have every right to make the rules and if we don't like them we can leave. All I can tell you is, that is exactly what happened to several Forums in North America. They no longer exist, end of discussion.
Many Forums have stated rules which usually have to do with offensive language, personal attacks, selling or promotional posts etc. Some posted rules would be nice.
In debating as in parliment there are many very effective and acceptable ways to make a point and promote thinking and promote different ways of looking at things.
Humour, using illustrations and sarcasm, come to mind.
A chap called Shakespeare is an example.
You were given a gift of massive interest, over a quarter of total "views" all in a fortnight, and you tossed it out....
too bad. I think your viewers, voted in spades.....
All these issues that were raised need discussing and exactly how we come to do so, is less important than, that we do so, IMO.
I for one, hope you will re-consider.
Len, I cannot disagree more strenously. "Free speech" is, TOLERATED
Maybe in Uganda or Egypt.
How many men, fought and died for "freedom of speech"? If it is not a "right" then presumably you feel it is unnatural for us to expect to have a free press or freedom of religion and thought. It is both a right and a precious gift, ask anyone who has lived under a dictatorship.
Who exactly do you feel does have that right to express themselves freely if not you and I ?
The "Dear Leader" of North Korea, perhaps.