Hi Alan -

Does it or does it not what? Welcome friendly debate? It does, but people have to want to debate something.

As moderator I prefer to limit my input to factual matters if I can. Perhaps the text you quote does inhibit political discussion, but in view of past experience on the board, including it being taken down when local politicians threatened me with legal action, it is there to set some ground rules to keep the board available in a positive way.

- David -