TLC:
I disagree with those who suggest that free speech is the issue. SI can enforce its Terms of Use as they so please to ensure the overall satisfaction of its customers. Mr. Vidrine is a guest here. If his commentary is disruptive and upsetting to the other patrons, the proprietor certainly has the right to ask him to leave. No different than a restaurant, theater or a public event.
Little harm is caused by this - in contrast to the past - because the Internet allows each and every one of us to create our own "bully pulpit." Mr. Vidrine just wants to usurp someone else's megaphone, created from capital, effort and talent not his own.
Having said that, I would prefer that SI not kick him off too quickly. However, in exchange for permitting him to continue to exercise the privilege to post, said posts should strictly on- topic, i.e., confined to those threads set up to discuss his vile racist theories and anti-ecumenical claptrap.
Having said that and just so you know Mr. Vidrine, most of us are aware of who and what you are; a petty tyrannical pipsqueak, hardly qualifying for the title of human being. Your sole goal is to exercise power over other people. The attempt to obtain that goal is facilitated by those who defend your rights. Yet, if that power were to come to you, you would exterminate all those who disagree. Well the world is much wiser now to those of your ilk, and please rest uncomfortably with the knowledge that if your hateful rantings ever begin to gain a toehold in decent society again, the rest of us will put aside the fine principles and put you in a cage.
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