***** Now, while I would disagree with the idea that a thread started on a public forum with a stated purpose has a sort of built-in rule that the OP determines the path of the thread no matter what and concerns of others be dammned, even when that path has title to do with the stated purpose, that certainly is one way to approach participation in a thread.*****
Vintage, The Frogman, The Strawman. You said that, not the OP, and certainly not me. The path of the thread has not changed one bit.
***** However, is it inappropriate for participants to disagree with that approach and to say so? I don’t think so. As you say...freedom of speech. No?*****
Freedom of speech means just that, so I fail to see a problem here. The OP and anyone else can post as they see fit, and you and others can like it, or not, as you see fit. And if the OP does not like what YOU post, he can let you know.
Cheers