I thought forum software always keeps histories because of index issues - that's why users are never pruned. Some forums even allow you to see diffs on edited posts, so if someone edits the post (several times), you see a history of mods, what has been modified and how, when, and to what purpose. This could net an even sweeter "childish attempt to fool grownups" achievement.

If we don't have that, we should get it. I always assumed it's just not public.

Also, @woody:

Agreed in at least one spot. It is very hard to distinguish leeway in opinion expression from acceptance and business-as-usual-here.

Sometimes unchallenged affirmations gain a life of their own. OTOH, feeding trolls. Tough call.

ETA:
@qwazix

So rules have a lower limit below which there is no negotiation. What's wrong with that? Not all negotiations go both ways. Au contraire, most if not all negotiations of a higher level begin with both parties having a minimum that is considered a deal-breaker, and optimum and a desired level.

The fact that the forum has a zero-tolerance for certain behavior doesn't make it wrong. I, for one, could live very well with no spam, no adverts and as little flaming and trolling as possible.