<p>I've been informed by @whuber that a <a href="https://stats.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/793/internet-support-for-statistics-software?noredirect=1#comment5738_793">comment</a> I made on over a year ago about a topic that is still important and <a href="https://stats.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/1765/what-does-cross-validated-aim-to-be-who-is-it-for?rq=1">contentious to the Cross Validated community</a> will be deleted.  Moreover, he notified me that my other comments on the topic under discussion may be subject to deletion.  </p>

<p>Although I appreciate that notice was given, I question the appropriateness of the decision.  Specifically, I hold that regardless of whether you agree with my comment or its accuracy, as a matter of principle comments should not be deleted by moderators so long as they comport with what we consider to be <a href="https://stats.stackexchange.com/help/behavior">acceptable user behavior</a>.  </p>

<p>Although I agree that my comment is pointed, it is not so uncivil as to run afoul of requirement to 'be nice'.  Moreover, in my opinion it is honest.  I fully allow that others may have a differing opinion... that is their right.  However, it seems that if my comments are viewed as 'misinformation' that then the guidelines would suggest that the appropriate response is to "vote it down. Add comments indicating what, specifically, is wrong. Provide better answers of your own" - not to delete it.</p>

<p>Three questions arise in this post.  </p>

<ol>
<li>Is it appropriate for a mod to delete a comment that they believe to be potentially confusing to others?</li>
<li>Is it appropriate for a mod to delete a comment that they believe pulls up old discussions on settled matters? [As a matter of evidence supporting the view that it is not appropriate I would note that the very topic under discussion in those comments represent an old discussion on settled matters being dredged back up and a different conclusion being reached.]</li>
<li>In specific regard to this item, is it acceptable to delete it?  That is, is it sufficiently confusing, is it bringing up an old discussion on a settled matter, or uncivil as to warrant deletion?</li>
</ol>
