[Linus]

As someone who has a personal blog, a "hobbyist" blog and is working (eventually) towards a professional blog (that's 3 separate blogs) I do believe in freedom of speech. But it's freedom of speech with responsibility. I generally view online communication no different than in person communication (the exceptions are that written is definitely different since tone is lost and people can choose to be there or not).

Blogs in forums like this wouldn't be a bad thing since they can allow individuals to talk to a specific community without creating a thread about it (although a thread could be used like a blog). Regardless, however, as with anything: when you post on someone's else's "lawn" you are subject to their rules (TOS). So I would expect that to be true.

My own blogs are in my own space but I still have to adhere to the web server provider's rules. I think too many people assume the "Net" belongs to the US and thus, the freedom of speech right applies. It does not. The "Net" is a global semi-private network (that is, various companies own the networks and disk space that is used on the internet and thus, we are subject to what they believe is acceptable).