Interesting question, that frankly, I have never considered. But let me offer a reply in the form of a question: if we are speaking face to face with someone, and we say something we wish we hadn't, is there anyway we could retract our statement?

Well, obviously not. In fact, even while dialoging in the CB what we say is unretractable. We can cover our steps with an explanation or apology, but never the less, it is out there. Done and done.

So, bottomline, my feeling is that if you contribute something to the Monastery, and it's not offensive, immoral, or illegal, it's too late. If you pen an article in a magazine, or write a book, it can't be taken out of circulation. And neither should that happen here. Especially if it is edifying to the group, past, present, or future. What is done is done.

Now, about that thread I started that got downvoted....