OK, I’m going to close this thread now, I was concerned it would flare up.
Rule 2: The forums proper are intended for public discussion. Personal messages between participants should be sent via private message or by e-mail.
7. You are free to express your views candidly and forcefully provided you remain civil. Do not use the forums to send abuse, threats, personal insults or attacks, or purposely inflammatory remarks (trolling). Do not respond to such messages. (And to add, imply that messages are trolling, or you believe are trolling.)
Thus:
14. Rule enforcement is the responsibility of the moderators, not of the contributors. If you believe a post or private message violates a rule, report it to the moderators. Do not take it upon yourself to chastise others for perceived violations of the rules.
I think this is just a misunderstanding, all sides have had their say now.