Morning,
I'm just going to answers the OP here, I will come to the rest this afternoon. If there is anything which needs reply to I will do so then.
"do you *have* to nanny this place so much that threads are zapped and people are suspended so readily?"
Yes, as long as some users continue to act in the way they do. We're quick with suspensions to protect the majority from the minority.
"I appreciate that you have to draw the line somewhere, but I have seen a lot of threads pulled that were crammed with fascinating insights, colourful and constructive viewpoints and several posters suspended summarily for reasons that seemed pretty innocuous to me (even though they may also conflict with my own views)."
Almost no one gets suspended for what they say, but the way they say it. It may seem innocuous to you, but it clearly isn't to us - do you not think we may be considering the site as a whole rather than a few isolated incidents.
Also, we suspend people because the "fascinating insights, colourful and constructive viewpoints" are there - it retains the good content but punishes the user. Equally this is why we do not remove content from the site when users request to "leave", to avoid disjointed threads.
"Surely a little more 'let it run its course' lenience is not asking too much and a little less censorship will allow personalities/views be seen in all their true colous, warts and all."
Everyone is well aware of the "true colours" of users who've been suspended on a regular basis. Would we prefer a 3 strikes system? 3 suspensions then a Ban?
We let a great deal "run it's course" and in fact our default position is "let it be" - we don't take any action unless we feel we have to.
"My suggestion: please give warnings if you think someone is spoiling the ship for a ha'pennyworth of tar rather than just deleting entire threads/suspending people."
Sorry, it isn't worth our time "nannying" you like this. You're all big boys and girls, be nice! I'm sure you all manage it "in real life" - yet, oddly when everyone meets on here there's clashes.