late in replying to Dave:

call it crass if you wish... it was a throwaway remark, intended to be a bit clever, with little relevance. It was not a major point.

About the important point:
"..and the point of it being a global site is that anyone is allowed to comment on anything in anyway."

To make my point again: "Allowed" does not make it smart, helpful or tasteful. Allowed means only that no one will likely stop you if it is not specifically a personal attack.   Being conscious of the intent of others who start threads, and not coopting them is simple courtesy. After 16+ years, I have seen things move in some disturbing directions as 'some' push the envelop as far as possible to push personal agendas and conduct personal disputes.

I don't try to "make the rules", and as far as I see, neither do any of the moderators. They try to interpret the rules in a fair manner and limit, as best they can, attempts by others to disrupt the operation of the site.