Since late 1998, I cannnot remember the number of threads we've had about this subject as well as a plethora of members only vs guests posting threads and a bunch of other netiquette discussions.

Yes and most of these threads have been closed (or deleted).

And in that time there has been no shortage of judgements, imposed closures, deletions and general attempts to control what posters wish to say.

As none of this well-intentioned imposition has made any difference -except to further divide us - perhaps it is now time to stop this and try another approach?

Possibly by finally accepting that it is only posters who have any control over what they post?

And accepting that when posters are set a better example of acceptable they may just follow it?

And if all efforts are designed to encourage discussion on all subjects - rather than on judging posters and inhibiting discussion on certain subjects - we may just see free and open discussion.

But I suspect that free and open discussion is really the last thing that some of our 'moderators' wish for our forum.