BRL,
I understand your problem. However, I agree with dublinpilot about this. The thread - windup, blatantly wrong, or whatever - was generating some interesting discussion.
Also, how do you gauge public opinion? People asked you to close it...right. Had I known, I would have asked you to keep it open. Had you even posted saying that you were being asked to close it, and what should you do, I could have voiced my opinion. But I didn't know, did I? And neither did the rest of us.
This is IN NO WAY intended as a criticism of you, BRL. You have a difficult job; I know that. But it brings up an interesting point. Why is a thread closed? OK, we all know the usual reasons - wrong forum, too much flaming, obscene, or similar. But...public opinion? What is that? Do you have to have a certain number of requests to close a thread, and then you do? Is it sort of arbitrary, based on how you feel at the time? Do those of us who want a thread to remain have to be psychic, and know when you're getting enough emails to drive you mad, and add to that maddening flow of emails by saying we want a thread to remain? Or do we just accept it, becasue you're the moderator and we're just ordinary prooners with no say in the matter?
I'm just...thinking...and asking...that's all....