I'm just a member, and I have yet to read the thread in question.
Strict censorship is the reason I joined
www.greenhybrid.com. If you want to experience strict control, just get slightly off-topic at
www.insightcentral.net!
I've been at forums at both extremes from vitrually unmoderated to admins expecting 30 rules be followed and making issues with trivia.
Communities, be it bricks-and-mortar or in cyberspace are not bound by the free speech rights most Western countries practice. I think it's a mistake to act like GreenHybrid or any other forum is like a cybernation. Having said that, I think members have a lot of freedom as long as they don't troll or make personal attacks.
Any forum has a right to self-preservation, so it's understandable that forums address direct attacks against it or it's sponsors.