Maybe someone can enlighten me.

Well, there’s no doubt that the guidelines are poorly written, even if no one normally reads them. There’s also no doubt, in my mind at least, that the moderator made the right call deleting OP’s post. Granted his post made no overt political statement, but the dog whistle was deafening.

This whole thread is a bit of a tempest in a teapot, honestly. At the same time, having properly drafted guidelines / TOU isn't such a bad thing.

@abnerjack Sorry I used the work “gracious” and upset you. My apologies. Thanks for the business model explanation. Gee whiz, I had no idea Audiogon had a motive behind this forum.

@goldenways 

   "Gracious" did not upset me at all.  Why would you think that?   I am amazed that anyone would think the forum is simply an offering from your hosts.  Fyi here is the definition of gracious:

gracious (comparative more gracious, superlative most gracious)

1. kind and warmly courteous
2. tactful
3. compassionate
4. indulgent
5. benignant
6. full of grace; graceful; charming; elegant (in appearance, conduct, movement)

   The gracious movements of the figure skaters impressed the judges.

7. magnanimous, without arrogance or complaint, benevolently declining to raise controversy or insist on possible prerogatives.

   The actress's gracious acceptance of being named only in the end credits allowed her character's appearance in the episode to remain a surprise.

If you choose to believe that this definition explains the motivation for why this forum exists, that's okay.  Meanwhile your seat remains available on the turnip truck.  

I recently had a post removed from another audio site for being too witty, though, that wasn’t the provided reason.

"Ah, come on!" was the reason provided.

The post was regarding synergy.  And while it was in direct response to another’s post, it may have been a bit off topic, as was his.  

@cleeds 

To quote from A Few Good Men:

“you want me on that wall, you need me on that wall. We use words like “honor”, “code”, loyalty.”  We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something.  You use them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide and then questions the manner in which I provide it.”

Great movie.