“However, I believe that: 1) We are all better off hearing and reading, thinking over, and deciding based upon thorough information. Information that survives examination and analysis as factual and sensible, and 2) simply giving a loud Bronx cheer does nothing to enlighten any discussion, except to resemble some of the Columbia University students and others when any speaker addresses them with an unpopular thought. Their hostility—and idiocy—precludes any positive result, and only reinforces mindlessness.”
In the academic sense, I would probably agree with you. But unfortunately the internet in general and blogsites in particular are not conducive to genteel debate. Anonymity does not make for better dialogue. So in order to keep some semblance of peace, moderators at most blogsites have to resort to the zot or some similar mechanism. Contrary to thinking that the zot limits debate, I believe it actually enhances it. Obnoxious anonymous posters do not enhance the debate, they silence it.
The real question is: where do you draw the line?
At FR, the line has been clearly drawn at pimping candidates who oppose the basic principles of the website. Mitt Romney has been defined by the owner of this website as a candidate who opposes the basic principles of the website. It’s not like that’s a secret withheld from posters. Heck, Jim did everything but call a press conference and run ads on tv.
As for whether this site is “fair” or wise in doing that, I can only share my own personal experience. I signed up on this website as an open and notorious democrat (although I am no longer one). I made no secret of my previous affiliation, nor my disdain for the gop. I continue to view the gop as incompetent at best, malevolent towards conservatives in practice, and long past the point where it should have taken it’s place on the ashheap of history.
And yet I have never even been threatened with the the zot at FR. I guess it doesn’t hurt that in many instances I happen to agree politically with the management of the website, but there have been plenty of times where I haven’t. And yet I’m still here.
But; we have the mainstream media to supply THOSE needs.