Even if locking threads is cowardly, since when is there a policy of making hard rules against things that are cowardly? Why not just use the current system of callouts?
This is an excellent point.
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My answer is "I didn't think of that. I just reacted on the spot"
The slightly longer answer is that there aren't any hard rules. This was a case of me being annoyed by a completely pointlessly locked thread and reacting. In retrospect, a callout might have been better. Maybe. Can't decide.
This is sort of better because it brought out the discussion in the open and that's important.
We have a culture that is largely about censoring as little as possible and moderating nothing unless we have to (or, in a few cases, using word filters and the like but that's just because admins are evil). The board, I believe (but check with McJ), was started not as a freedom-of-speech board but a place for spazzes to learn how to stand their ground and fight back, and if anything, this is a case illustrating that, being responsible for your words and your actions.
It is also about freedom of speech and where to draw the line, so IMO it's a good thing that this discussion happened.
That is to say, I don't have a clear-cut opinion but I like the discussion.