Maybe someone can enlighten me.

mdalton

... my original point, which is to just post the rules, whatever you want them to be ...

They have done exactly that. You don't seem to like the rules.

"Congrats and I feel ya. The current state of the country has stolen most of my joy."

I am surprised that A’gon would ad lib the above in a message intended to alert the OP that their post had been removed.

So many have taken to whining, complaining, fear mongering, victimhood, and playing the blame game, for just about any real, perceived, or imaginable hardship these days.  People can choose to be positive or negative about their lives, regardless of the challenges in their way.  Few people are in a situation that cannot be improved by taking initiative, hard work, and the willingness to make positive changes.  It isn’t always easy but taking personal responsibility goes a long way.  I don’t understand why this stuff has to keep coming up in a forum intended to discuss audio related topics.  Let’s get back to arguing about the price of fuses.

In the words of Oddball...

Well, there’s no doubt that the guidelines are poorly written, even if no one normally reads them. There’s also no doubt, in my mind at least, that the moderator made the right call deleting OP’s post. Granted his post made no overt political statement, but the dog whistle was deafening.

This whole thread is a bit of a tempest in a teapot, honestly. At the same time, having properly drafted guidelines / TOU isn't such a bad thing.

@abnerjack Sorry I used the work “gracious” and upset you. My apologies. Thanks for the business model explanation. Gee whiz, I had no idea Audiogon had a motive behind this forum.

@goldenways 

   "Gracious" did not upset me at all.  Why would you think that?   I am amazed that anyone would think the forum is simply an offering from your hosts.  Fyi here is the definition of gracious:

gracious (comparative more gracious, superlative most gracious)

1. kind and warmly courteous
2. tactful
3. compassionate
4. indulgent
5. benignant
6. full of grace; graceful; charming; elegant (in appearance, conduct, movement)

   The gracious movements of the figure skaters impressed the judges.

7. magnanimous, without arrogance or complaint, benevolently declining to raise controversy or insist on possible prerogatives.

   The actress's gracious acceptance of being named only in the end credits allowed her character's appearance in the episode to remain a surprise.

If you choose to believe that this definition explains the motivation for why this forum exists, that's okay.  Meanwhile your seat remains available on the turnip truck.