Onefreeman, good points and I agree with you and the inconsitancy of it. But this use in alot of these posts of the word censorship has a nasty ring to it, but some forms of it are used thousands of times every day. The evil types of censorship attempt to make illegal or totally surpress a thought, idea or action from ever reaching the public. Most private boards that I particpate in are moderated by someone in authority, and objectionable, obsene, and unfactual items are often removed, however arbitrary and at their discresion. Even somethings as minor as an "OMNI" post are removed from some boards for being "off-topic". FlyerTalk has not had moderated boards (at least openly) and we have been pretty much free to do what we want here. Ultimatly, FlyerTalk can do what they feel appropriate to their board, period. And I am free to stop using it whenever I feel like it.

I do not agree with the ***uchan removal. I have never considered his name anything but a name. But I also don't think ***uchan's response to publish the letter and make such a final statement was the right thing to do either. I've always found the FlyerTalk folks to be more than understanding, and private communications by email, I am sure, could have resolved this to both parties satisfaction. I don't think FlyerTalk should have requested a copy of his Drivers License. If they determined his handle to be unacceptable, real name or not, they should have just explained it to him and required him to change it. It's only a handle after all. They're not asking him to change his real name!

Now on to the removal of the United survey thread. Actually this could upset me more that the ***uchan issue. But before I get upset about it, I await an explantion as to why it dissapeared. Playing the "devils advocate" again here, I could accept that it was removed at United's request. After all, it was a selective offer that was randomly made to visitors to United's web site. The fact that the URL appeared here and worked for those (like me!) who jumped on it, may have screwed up the "random" sampling that was being sought after by the survey company, by instead loading it with a bunch of hardcore frequent flyer junkies (sorry, but that's who we are! ) I think we assume that United would be glad to have it's most savy flyers respond to a random survey, but this may not be the case. In order to avoid tipping off a supplier that we have uncovered a "hidden" offer, I would suggest in the future that this info be distributed by an email chain. This would keep FlyerTalk from being put in a difficult postion, and more important, keep the offer alive longer . Of course if it's a public general offer, it could posted as usual.

I think this whole thing is way overblown, and I know that this post will just make it a bigger deal, but hey...opinions are like ***holes...everyone has one! Right?