We believe in civility at Capitol Hill Blue and must insist that commenters avoid attacks on other readers, obscenities or threats. We reserve the right to moderate or remove comments that we feel violate our rules. Posts that contain racism, homophobia, bigotry or Antisemitism will be removed and the posters banned.

Thanks Pollchecker

However, none of my posts have contained any of those things. Maybe somebody else here is censoring the posters on this site. I would not be surprised.

"Free Speech" is an idea that is associated with the notion that the government does not have the right, except in extremely rare cases, to arbitrarily censor political expression and especially expression that is critical of the government. What you are applying here is a dilation of definition, that the concept of freedom of speech permits you, a guest at a site owned by someone else, to not be subject to censorship.

It does not work that way. As our host has pointed out previously, freedom of the press applies to the person who happens to own the press; in this case that is Mr. Thompson, not you or any of us who are members at his sufferance.

When all of us registered we understood that there was a set of rules layed down by the owner and we agreed to abide by those rules. His ball, his glove, his rules; it's that simple. If someone does not like that, then there is the door and don't let it hit you in the butt on the way out. If you want to have the "freedom of speech" thing apply fully to you, then buy/rent some available space from an ISP, start your own forum/blog, and write your rules that any guest must obey.

That being said, I do not necessarily agree with some of the rules applied here, or with their specific application in certain instances; however, I knew the rules going in and, therefore, I have no business complaining that my freedom of speech is/was infringed. If there comes a time when I regard these rules as being excessively binding, then I shall just leave and seek membership elsewhere. Alternatively, should I consistently violate the rules in such a manner that causes our host undue aggravation, or possibly indulge in a single major display of overkill, then he will rapidly solve the problem by booting me and barring my return.

In the meantime, I and everyone else here is free to more or less say what they want and on occasion to even test the limits of the envelope.

Most sincerely,

T. J. Flapsaddle

Only two people here have the ability to delete posts: Pollchecker, who is the blog editor, or me. I've deleted posts that violate the rules posted above. I've also deleted posts that had nothing to do with politics, which is the purpose of this site.

Free speech is a concept that governments can either grant or take away. It does not apply, in either way, to privately-owned web site. This is my sandbox and you are playing with my toys. Therefore, you play by my rules. Either play by them or play somewhere else.

Point Made.

You all have a nice day.

"Free Speech" is an idea that is associated with the notion that the government does not have the right, except in extremely rare cases, to arbitrarily censor political expression and especially expression that is critical of the government. What you are applying here is a dilation of definition, that the concept of freedom of speech permits you, a guest at a site owned by someone else, to not be subject to censorship.

It does not work that way. As our host has pointed out previously, freedom of the press applies to the person who happens to own the press; in this case that is Mr. Thompson, not you or any of us who are members at his sufferance.

When all of us registered we understood that there was a set of rules layed down by the owner and we agreed to abide by those rules. His ball, his glove, his rules; it's that simple. If someone does not like that, then there is the door and don't let it hit you in the butt on the way out. If you want to have the "freedom of speech" thing apply fully to you, then buy/rent some available space from an ISP, start your own forum/blog, and write your rules that any guest must obey.

That being said, I do not necessarily agree with some of the rules applied here, or with their specific application in certain instances; however, I knew the rules going in and, therefore, I have no business complaining that my freedom of speech is/was infringed. If there comes a time when I regard these rules as being excessively binding, then I shall just leave and seek membership elsewhere. Alternatively, should I consistently violate the rules in such a manner that causes our host undue aggravation, or possibly indulge in a single major display of overkill, then he will rapidly solve the problem by booting me and barring my return.

In the meantime, I and everyone else here is free to more or less say what they want and on occasion to even test the limits of the envelope.

Most sincerely,

Thank you SO MUCH Flapsaddle. My decision is made. I've had my own blog for quite awhile now and at least I don't act like some Orwellian douche-nozzle when somebody makes a small faux pax, but, then, I have some decorum and respect for my fellow human. Doug, just so you know, I'm done here. The comment about 'playing with 'your toys' can be miscontstrued. It's time to say 'Buh-Bye'

Doug, do you even have any friends anymore? HAVE SOMEBODY PROOF-READ YOUR POSTS FOR PETE'S SAKE, YOUR SPELLING AND GRAMMAR ARE ATROCIOUS!!!

"Orwellian douche-nozzle"?

I love that! Certainly, it's the most original descriptive of someone with who one is peeved that I've heard in a long, long time. May I use it?

Most sincerely,

T. J. Flapsaddle

These people are really getting carried away, the most you deserve is a bag of flaming dog poop in your lobby