So Kevin brings up the notion that people's voices have been threatened with censorship. I'm guessing that he's referring to David's rebuke of Pat's racially insensitive remarks. Which leads into the bigger point for me - which is how to deal with the Pat Thing.
Its funny how only the right wing insensitive remarks offend, are considered racist but if all of you guys say what we on the right consider offensive, and just because you butter it up with PC words trust me it still offends.  Of course when David does it, which is often, all bets are off. Hypocrisy prevails here. I’ve learned to accept it

For me it comes down to intent. If you're a bigot, a racist, or prejudiced against gays - that is your prerogative. And if that was the case with Pat - then I would guess that the will of the board would eventually turn him away. Which is to say that Pat would not find a nurturing community here on this board to help him strengthen those beliefs.
So you need to put a sign on the door here. Left wingers only.

 And in the end, he would leave. But if the intent is to simply bring the words and beliefs associated with bigotry and racism to this board to rouse the rabble - then attempting to eliminate that is not censorship. Pat has publicly stated that he uses inflammatory language to get a rise out us here - and that his intentions are sometimes purely instigative.
As do others here Dan. That would be Ian, Eric and Brad to name a few. When they start a post with my name on the top line, what else could it mean?

So, again, it comes down to intent. Put yourself in my shoes for a moment. You maintain a forum where people can discuss music, politics, food, drink, and their daily going's on. Your name is linked to the site in a very public way (even more so for David). And on that site there are inciting statements being made - racist statements. Do you simply hold your tongue? And does silence make you guilty of association?
Dan is your last name here on the site? If it is I don’t see it so how could anyone know who you are.  What affiliation does David have? This is a fan site, not an official site.

Why should I continue to maintain and support this site so someone can have fun inciting anger and vitriol? On this message board on the internet held together by people from far and wide - there is an understanding of common decency that is inherent to the board's success. When someone comes along to simply disrupt that decency for disruption's sake - then two things can happen. The board can fold or the disruption can be dealt with. I really would rather not fold the board. So it comes down to dealing with Pat - and to be honest, I don't have the answer on how to do that. Banning Pat is not possible. Deleting his posts would accomplish nothing. It just sucks that Pat feels the need to continue.
So again you are singling me out. Go back Dan and look at the vitriol of the name calling done to me. Check the posts that read “Hey Pat check out this or that”. What would you label those posts. Or Brad calling my wife a “Wetback”. How would you classify that? So putting the blame entirely on me is a farce but I realize you have to kiss up to DB. So be it.