I don't know why people are getting so steamed up about this. Why shouldn't everyone be free to express their views (provided they're not breaching either the law or accepted standards of taste, courtesy and decency) on a local (i.e.SE23) matter about which some readers clearly have strong feelings? Moving it to 'wider issues' would be merely ducking the issue - if it's appropriate anywhere, it's to this forum.

So no censorship, please - and I personally think that even having a poll on the matter would give a wrong signal.