Dear Craig,

I disagree. I see nothing wrong with editing a post to delete a rude or impolite segment. Just replace the offensive text with a set of asterisks to show that something was deleted, perhaps with a reference to Rule #1. I have never read any impolite comment, the loss of which would have been deleterious to the post.

I suspect that the underlying concern about this approach is that some worry that the editing can be subjective. Speaking as one who has a penchant for good-natured jest (you old consonant hog), it has never struck me even a bit confusing to discern between jest and meanness. Nonetheless, if one of my jests seemed offensive to someone else, I for one would appreciate the benefit of another's perspective. But more importantly, if it is my intent to offend, then my feelings should be the least of anyone's concern.

I have one final point. It is the stated objective of this forum to build a knowlegebase, an encyclopedic archive. There is an addage which states that people raise their voice when they can't raise an argument. Degeneration into offensive rhetoric is the textual equivalent of just that. It is antithetical to the stated purpose of the forum and as such has no place therein. You, therefore, need no other justification for deleting the same.

And that's my two cents worth.

Joe