Responding to posts and confronting ad hominem attacks in no way constitutes censorship.  As an old-fashioned ACLU-type liberal, I feel all voices need to be heard.  That doesn't mean one should simply passively accept racist comments for example.  I will offer my opinions and my views.  More often than not, they may differ from yours.  That is the essence of democracy and civil discourse.  

I gather you're not particularly impressed by my comments.  C'est la vie.  I express my views and react to the views of others...Whether you agree, diagree or simply "don't care" isn't important in itself.  Free expression, in in itself neither "offends or frightens" me.  Free expression is a concept central to democracy.  If the CONTENT of the expression offends me, I will convey that feeling..e.g. I will confront a racist slur or other ad hominem attack.  The issue of censorship is the purview of the RG and the guidelines for this site are posted...all you need to do is follow them.  Gary Crum