I've written multiple posts that have called into question the views of other writers. I've done it with Tim Wise, Jeannette Espinoza, Jessica Valenti, Jessica Wildfire, Joe Duncan, Tessa Schleswinger, Umair Haque, James Finn and many others, it's never been a problem and I'm never hostile or aggressive with what I write - attack the ideas not the person being the general modus operandi. If the person happens to be presenting an idiotic idea (as I think James Finn did) then I am somewhat snarky but never calls for action etc. In fact in this story, his name is in the title. https://medium.com/p/86d6cb79aa11

I think what happened here is that someone weaponised offence on behalf of the original writer. I don't think it was her. I think she is vociferously defended by other writers who don't like being questioned and who enjoy the rhetoric provided. That author has never really been up for a discussion about her views, she's just made a fortune being set to broadcast. She's an excellent writer, but it's quality of language rather quality of idea and defended to the hilt by those people you see defending that sort of work everywhere on the platform.

I don't think Medium were particularly vociferous in their telling off - I think someone pointed out that it 'broke the rules' - a little bit like having someone prosecuted for stealing a loaf of bread when the law was designed to catch people making off with cars. It's their policy though and when pushed, they have to enforce it. Part of me is tempted to use their policy and ask them to police it universally rather than simply policing it from the political and (theoretically) liberal left.