I promise that it is nothing to do with the old guard and everything to do with keeping arguments and upset off the forums. Surely that's not why we are here. It's a friendly place compared to much of the internet and I hope we can keep it that way.
I actually think its important to call out racism or prejudice in the world, but I genuinely didn't feel there was any there. If our German friends don't find any offence in the post, it seems of little value to seek to be offended on their behalf. Everyone's line is in a different place but our job is to do what's best for the forum as a whole.
Lets move on and let the thread and subject rest and get back to celebrating our shared love of the Cali and travel, isn't that why we are here?