The current "Civil Comments" system the G&M is using does, in my opinion, suppress a lot of normal discussion.  If someone doesn't like what you or I post, it can get deleted--even tough the majority of readers might be quite OK with.

My personal philosophy on rating someone else's comments is simply this.  As long as a person isn't launching personal attacks, using foul language, or encouraging someone to break the law, I am OK with it.

To paraphrase/quote Voltaire, "I may despise what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."

Unfortunately, I suspect a lot of other posters don't have the same philosophy.