When I first saw this thread I anguished over what the correct action was. And I will be honest, if Rabbit had been around I would very happily have thrown the whole thing at him. I know that he has always had a guideline that chat is a different part of the site, and discussion about chat should happen in chat, as much as discussion about the academy happens in the academy. However it is clear from what has been said that this thread is the result of a number of members of this community feeling that they are unable to that.
Most of us live in countries where freedom of speech, and the freedom to think differently to those in power, and the freedom to say so is a treasured right. People are rightly also protected by law against defamation of character.
Unfortunately there is a very fine line between venting and flaming (defamation). What is written as a vent, may be read as a vent by people who 'support' the case being put, and as a flame but people who think otherwise. This is part of the staff team's very difficult juggling act, at all times, not just in this thread.
I believe that is what was behind Widget's post. Whilst the discussion is constructive, with controlled emotions, people able to express ideas which they have not previously felt able to, then it is healthy and will stay open. If it gets into a he said, she said match, where emotions are rising, then it may be closed for a short while, just to let things simmer down again.
cariad