Mark:
Indeed you are in a ridiculous position...
Freedom of speech, as we know it... (i.e.: anything goes, short of crying "FIRE" in a crowded theater) is the basis of a free society. To be asked to apply some "filter" that is supposedly in the best interests of our origination is an impossible assignment. I don't have a dog in the CP "Pcar vs 240 (?280) Zcar fight.
That said, I DO feel that this forum should be a password protected FREE SPEECH ZONE, available only to VARA MEMBERS (so we don't air our dirty laundry in public) and it should be completely unedited and unfiltered. The "market" forces will keep the forum more or less on track.
Let the discussions fly!

Rick is right totally in principal, but does not understand the animal human. First although they are silent many many people watch our board. Some race with us, some will race with us if we behave, and a very small number just want us to falter so they can spread pustulance against us. Going silent to the general population will deminish our numbers even if silent. Starting a parallel board for private use is a great idea but will shortly (very shortly) degenrate into a cancer when people do not have to temper thier thoughts. How many times have all we wished we had not said that! The internet allows us to wag our tounges privately in public space. Kinda like talking in your sleep. Bad Bad juju!

Allow me to be clear... we should have both a public forum AND a private one... if the private area degenerates, it will die, as it should. But it will die or live outside the public eye. My preference would be a totally open discussion, lacking that, a closed area for frank discussion is the least we can ask for.