Mike, let me ask you a question. Do you believe in Freedom of Speech?

I am sure that John Kerry does and the head honcho of CGCS does as well.

So why did you tear down vfguenley's thread and delete my posts?

Didn't we go to war for Uncle Sammy supposidly to protect those rights?

Mike, did you ever see War?

You proved my point exactly Mike, right to the tee!

There is no Freedom of Speech in CGCS unless you or any other mod says so.

Is that right? There was no name calling no profanity, no hootchy coothcy girls, so what is your point Mike??

I thought this was a Democratic forum, at least that is what it says.

Go for it Mike, show us all you do not believe in Freedom of Speech. Tear this post right off the board and show us the "SHRUB" way of Freedom of Speech.

Mike, you really showed me very little class with the flexing of the mod muscle and taking away Combat Veterans Freedom of Speech.

Guess its Mikes way or the highway, am I right or what?

Leave this thread up and show us you are a Democratic believer and a true Kerry supporter like whats on your signature.

I hope that there is not all show and no go Mike!

I know the rules and regs Mike, so don't flash them in my mug!

You know as well as anyone here that those rules and regs apply only to a chosen few.

Is that what you call fair and square Mike?

Show me your a true American and not a neocon and leave this post up for all to see Mike.

I know that there will be a challenge, guess what Mike - it is! Hang Tough~

I, like you Bammo, stand hard on freedom of speech and expression. What I have observed in my short time in forums is that there are power controls that takes place. Even when it seems that forums are basically harmless, it has amazed me how it develops such power trips as they do. Civility does play a roll in our society such as it should in forums, but what we have in society and forums are natural events. Forums will be about facts, opinons and debate. That's the nature of the beast. Debates will grow hot or not. What should always be honored is keeping such debates with participating posters that engages such a debate and not helter skelter all over the board. Those who join in such a debate will simply be included in that level of heat that is currently going on. It's like real life... one walks up to a real fight... and joins in, the fight spreads to that third person until it finally dies down.

Forums are also a mixed bag of personalities. It draws every kind of attitude possible. It's natural that some personalities will clash and disagree. Sometimes it touches areas of heated discussions. That's the nature of life itself. if we all agreed to everything in life, we'd be bored to tears. Forums are no different than life itself. To restrict speech and expression rubs personal rights wrong. Forums is the animal that it is.... a mixed bag of personalities that are expressing their view points.

The main thing is, expression should never be supressed especially in forums. Respect should remain in tact as long as it can, but in some cases, respect simply gets lost, but it's up to the poster for choosing to remain or leave the thread.... that's all part of choices in life. What I always saw as important when addressing a thread was addressing the topic. If a poster enters a thread off topic and looking for trouble, then there's an obvious problem and it should be addressed. If a topic grows into debate, that's simply part of life... and free expression and opinions. As I have stated myself now, if I am targeted, and once I figure that out, I simply address that poster.... and if it grows into a thread fight, I have 3 choices. Stay in the thread and debate, contact a mod for advice or assistance or simply leave the thread. In my opinion, a mod should be available for assistance and advice, while not making on the spot decisions per their own view point and locking a thread down or removing posts until all points of views are shared and a proper decision can be made at that point.

Freedom of expression and speech is very valuable. Forums themselves operates off such rights. Civility is important... respect is important.... but most of all our rights to make opinions and defend ourselves is also. The only problems I have had on this forum is when sometimes situations will devlope where a certain group of board bangers (click) attack and eventually, I defend myself after I noticed such action taking place. That's my own decision with how to handle it. I exercise my rights in freedom of speech and expression and simply return such lesser civility back to those who deserve it. That action never causes me to be that way with others, so it's not contagous to where I feel urges to do that to everyone.

May freedom of choices always stand long and true.