Mod inaction and the future

[caiusbeerquitius]

Flailing away at a product or vendor, as has sometimes been overlooked in the past will no longer be so.

Dear David,
I think this is something all can agree upon. However, it would make sense to specify exactly where this flailing starts and where critique ends, so that all those who are going to critisize something will know where the line is drawn. It would be great, if you could do so with the examples from the past, which you name. Ideally by quoting them and marking the relevant lines.
On a personal note: Normally I mostly heard "freedom of speech" from "across the pond" when I was still actively moderating. Has this, what I regarded as a deep-rooted US principle, changed over the course of the last year(s)? Or is there a line to be drawn as well?
=> I do not intend to spark a political debate here, or the like, I am asking because I am genuinely interested.

Thanks a lot, also for the continuing stressing mod-work. ( It is indeed stressing sometimes to read every day all new posts, I know it, I did this for five years)