I'll address your second point first.
... I didn't have a problem with what North Coast Miller had to say or how he said it (particularly in the context of Kenny's typical combatative tone which I also don't have a problem with). What's the actual ruling here, Steve?
There is no "ruling" here. It can be awkward for me to express an opinion on something, especially when it's something I don't like for reasons related to our forum guidelines but something that hasn't risen to the level of requiring action on my part - but that's what I've tried to do in this case, express my opinion.
There is a big difference between accusing someone of "arguing against science," and putting it another way, e.g., "my reading of and understanding of the studies I've read on this subject disagrees with yours, and my experience disagrees with what you're saying as well." "We don't say you're wrong ..." doesn't only apply to how we talk about those with whom we compete in the marketplace.
Arguing with people with (supposedly) lots of knowledge and experience is surely what this forum is all about ...
I respectfully disagree. This forum exists for us to help each other become stronger. Part of the higher purpose of strength is in how we treat each other, and in particular, bending over backwards to treat others with respect. On this forum, I ask that everyone err on the side of "measure twice, cut once", as carpenters say - the words you post here are permanent, and expressing exactly what you're thinking and feeling isn't the most important thing. Please reread and edit your posts, as often as necessary, before pushing the Reply button.
Next to the last, and not least, and lest you think I'm taking the side of
@kennycro@@aol.com and/or
@Al Ciampa, both can verify that I have moderated their posts, too, when I felt they weren't in keeping with our standards.
And lastly, my actions as moderator here take many forms, including but not limited to some things that most of you don't ever see. Sometimes I'll just PM a person to express my concerns and do this without making any "ruling," and at other times, before saying or doing anything, I will solicit the opinions of those with whom I work at StrongFirst, a group of people I consider to be of the highest character, and each of whom I hold in very high esteem.
-S-