I (YMMV) would try not to make a big deal of it. While we do, indeed, have "special rules" in the WO that gives us some flexibility... the context in which that exception was granted is also important.

By context I mean the time in which we risked losing the WO because of the conflict between its ermmm "ample scope way beyond the OP" and "standard" moderation rules.

Thus, in a genious move, Theymos not only allowed us to propose/elect a new active "OP" but also decided to create that rule as some sort of "patch" that would let the WO-as-we-knew-it to continue its existence under the condition that it would not "become problematic again".

Such "patch" (along with disabling personal signatures to avoid account farmers spamming the thread) did wonders and have allowed to keep enjoying our "little space" for several years already without much problems.

So... consider it what it is (a "patch") and do not expect 100% reliability nor a totally unlimited "license-to-post" offtopic. As you well said, this is a "private forum" in the end.

That being said... Well... Yeah, seems that maybe you crossed your path with an overzelous moderator. Still I would not make a big deal if one (or several) of my off-topic/shitposts were to be deleted unless the occurrence of it suggested some sort of focused discrimination/censorship.

Infofront could go and start removing ALL offtopic posts if he wanted to, as that would be in compliance even with the "special rules". Forum moderators should not... or at least it is not their job anymore (see "special rules") but... well... Shit happens.

Now back to the "important things": $16K again. This is fine.