Comments that smell of defending to moderators are by definition poor comments. The crux of HN is to choose to write politely and intelligently. Any comment tha

Comments that smell of defending to moderators are by definition poor comments. The crux of HN is to choose to write politely and intelligently. Any comment that could need defending shows poor judgement. > bastion of freedom; kings; liberty; cruel punishment; thought crimes; 1930s These are all fine intellectually stimulating things which I believe are critical to inform ourselves and others about. HN is not stopping you from discussing them. HN is not a jail. The request is that you discuss politics elsewhere: please just use other forums that welcome political discussion. Nobody is preventing you from doing that. Disclaimer: those are just one users opinions (my own) on how things seem to work here. I'm most definitely ignorant about what the managers of HN think. I too have a deep interest in politics and civics and I too struggle with the HN guidelines. YMMV.