In my opinion this is the question. It is clearly censorship when a moderator edits another poster's comments. I'm not questioning their ability and authorization, but rather the wisdom. I can even understand the urge to edit as being concerned with further escalation devolving into chaos. I simply disagree with the method.

I'd much rather see the comments and decide for myself than wonder what was the kerfuffle all about. For example, the comments of ftomnibox are clearly a flame yet remain in two different threads for all to see. I'm fine with those comments still present as others can take a look at the record to see if they have any merit. It's when comments are removed that we cannot fairly judge. Further, the removal of some comments but not others really begins to distort the record.