Manufacturers pushing their products and agenda in the forums.

viridian

... you are mis characterizing my original post when you say, “ That seems a more practical solution than banning all "manufacturers, distributors, retailers and importers," which is what the OP and apparently @whart seek.”

That is not what I said, I said that it may be time to ban them ...

I quoted you accurately, and said it is apparently what you seek. Now you say that isn’t what you said. So what exactly are you proposing?
You also stated:

If they can’t get their act together they should take it on the road.

So what is it that you seek? That they should be allowed to post here, but that their content should comply with your preferences? If all you seek is a discussion, then what's your objection?

We know that you can use the “alert moderator” feature. You have used it on my posts many times.

That’s not true at all, and it’s quite ironic coming from someone who claims I’m "mischaracterizing" them!

    My general rule is not to join any club or blog that would accept me as a member.  Somebody needs to be responsible for keeping the riff-raff out, right?
     Audiogon's been my lone exception for many years now and I'm just constantly amazed that I haven't yet been permanently booted off this highbrow and esteemed audio forum with extreme prejudice.  
     I mean, I've been kicked out of a lot worse clubs, blogs and forums than this one for a lot less: The Ferocious Flatulence Fraternity for using a Bic lighter and burning down the clubhouse, The Mean Boy Club for complimenting another member on his merciless callousness, The Fight Club for insufficient kidney punches and nutcrackers, The Women Haters Club for 'unenthusiastic misogyny' and The Satire Club for excessive irony.
 I love you all for tolerating me,
    Tim
  XOX

I don't mind dealers or anyone else posting whatever they want. What I mind is sanctimonious virtue-signaling word-salad, that when anyone calls them out on it they find it easier to complain and have the post removed than defend their weasel words. That sort of behavior is shameful, and petty, and beneath contempt.

But it still shouldn't be censored, any more than the people who call them out on it should be censored. It should be pitied, and pilloried, open to the ridicule it so richly deserves.

I think we've had more than enough authoritarianism already. Especially when instead of protecting the community it protects the weasel. Enough, already. Free and open exchange of ideas. Let the chips fall where they may.

millercarbon

I don’t mind dealers or anyone else posting whatever they want.

Within reason, agreed! Post away!

What I mind is sanctimonious virtue-signaling word-salad, that when anyone calls them out on it they find it easier to complain and have the post removed than defend their weasel words. That sort of behavior is shameful, and petty, and beneath contempt.

If it’s "beneath contempt," then why the contempt? This just sounds unnecessarily dramatic. After all, A-gon is just an audio forum. It’s supposed to be fun to be here, no?

But it still shouldn’t be censored ... It should be pitied, and pilloried, open to the ridicule it so richly deserves.

Pilloried? Open to ridicule? I don’t think that’s consistent with this forum’s Terms of Use. Please note that one of the reasons for moderators to reject a post is, "Abusive towards another member."

Showing a little courtesy towards others would really help this group - especially towards those with whom we disagree.

+1 Cleeds on all your posts. Reasonable. Thanks