Prior to the advent of comments being posted on news articles, the public had very few avenues for stating its point of view on a matter written up. I remember in the day that letters to the editor - if you could get yours printed - was like winning the lottery considering the high wall of critique a editorial editor would put on those letters, especially those with a different point of view. So, in looking forward, today's forums allow for many more to provide their input into a subject. 

Now whether that opinion is good or not, I think any opinion put out on this is as valuable as the next opinion. Those who post way more than I should understand that. 

But one thing is for sure, don't let forums like this get so regulated so that a faceless, nameless newspaper bureaucrat determines what should be said in comments, and what should not. That will definitely happen should comments here degenerate into personal attacks and Il Duce-type posturing on issues.