I've been an occasional participant at the PI Sound-offs. Every now and then there is a subject or opinion that just needs a response. I never really paid attention to their website until my son directed me there to read some of his arguements. I do not subscribe to the PI, nor do I subscribe to the Times or any other newspaper.

When my adult son posted, he was respectful but often used sarcasm and wild examples to hammer his point to those who refused to consider any different point of view. He argued vociferously on subjects from abortion to the viaduct.

He was banned.

When he emailed them to ask why, they ignored him. When he emailed to point out to them that those who perpetrated vicious verbal attacks toward him because they disagreed with him were not banned, they ignored his emails.

Yesterday the subject was the illegals caught at a local bakery. I remarked on the 'knee jerkers and bleeding hearts". The insults hurled at those of us who inconveniently believe in the rule of law included but were not limited to "racist" (of course) "Nazi" (of course) "rotting heart" "you should be ashamed to call yourself an American!" 'ignorant' hater and on and on and on.

The subject today was special dining nights for families with children so that those without won't be subject to the noisy messy little darlings.

I pointed out that I agreed that restaurant owners had the right to cater to whatever particular clientele they hoped to attract... and then pointed out the hypocrisy of those that won't allow owners to make that same decision regarding smokers.

The other thread I commented on was in regards to Scooter Libby. I wondered why the lefties weren't satisfied with the pound of flesh they exacted.

I used no foul words.
I insulted no one.
I never even responded to any particular comment.

Today I was banned.

It comes as no surprise that the PI does not allow dissent.

It comes as no surprise that the PI has a narrow, particular agenda.

It comes as no surprise that the PI can, will and does use thug tactics to advance that agenda.

It comes as no surprise that the PI has separate rules for those that disagree with their agenda . One might even liken it to the ugly segregationist actions of the old South, where the "second class citizens" were forced to the back of the bus, or as in the case of the PI, off the bus entirely.

It comes as no surprise that the PI coddles and encourages (by allowing) insults from those who share their agenda.

It comes as no surprise that the PI is a failing representative of what was once an honorable profession.

I would suggest that the PI would thrive under the equally dissent stifling thumbs of Hugo Chavez, Fidel Castro and Kim Jong Il.