A challenge to Statler Waldorf

[Angrboda]

First off, I don't believe the bolding emphasis was in Statler's original post; please, if you change bold, italics or elsewise in a poster's text when quoting, alert your reader that you have done so. Arguably, it doesn't change his meaning any, but that's his decision to make, not yours.

Erm, if there was a rule that didn't allow one to highlight portions of someone elses post that one wants to address, I was unaware of it. I've been posting on the internet since 1995, and in my experience, it is very common for people to highlight portions of a post they want to specifically address. I've seen and done this on many ocassions on many forums, and I must say this is the first time anyone has complained to me about the practice. I didn't change the content of the post, but merely highlighted that portion I wanted to address specifically. If this is a problem (more specifically, if it is not allowed here), I would like to be informed that this is the case. Otherwise, I see no point in discontinuing the practice.

Well, as Shell B noted, it is a new rule here, unannounced, so you bear no fault for being ignorant in the matter. That said, you are so informed. Any changes to the text made in quoting should be noted in your use of the quote. Please discontinue the practice of changing quotes without notice of said changes.

Atheistforums.org, rules, section 3 of 'Forum Guidelines'

Quoting Others Accurately.
When using the quote function to quote other members, you may quote in whole or in part, but do not change the quoted text in any way. Breaking this rule will result in staff intervention. Depending on the circumstances surrounding the misquote(s), you may be warned or banned. Adding to the quoted text for clarification (ie. bolding, numbering, italics, etc.) is okay provided you indicate that the bolding and/or italics are yours and not the quoted member's and provided it doesn't change the meaning of the quoted text.