Subsonic MB,
When a post is reported to a moderator it is usually looked at to see if the complaint is valid ! This is part of the process of scrolling through perhaps 200 posts a day. Some forums are given a wider degree of latitude particularly the regional ones which tend to be populated by smaller groups of "professionals".
If a complaint arises from whatever source and is upheld either on what has been posted or the trend of the thread then it can be closed, transferred to the admin forum or in this case left to run. Sometimes a subject will naturally be emotive rather than willfully offensive and it was to this conclusion that the post was removed and the thread continued.
"one can wonder at the intellect of a moderator" if one wishes to. The moderator is not making any comparisons of offensiveness but has decided your post oversteps the mark. The moderator is not "one of the 400 who could not care less about colleagues with whom (they) share a cockpit", as such the moderator is not "thoroughly ashamed of his/herself" In fact the moderator doesn't really understand what you are insinuating and therefore choses to ignore it.
In summary this thread is clearly of interest to many. Please argue your point as you see fit but do not resort to what may be perceived as offensive remarks I am sure your own wit can be applied to that requirement.