Yeah I came off a bit too strongly there. Although this was a pretty minor infraction. Regardless I think it was handled appropriately.
I definitely see where you're coming from about the Reddit level of rules. But I'm also tired of people losing their mind when any basic rule is enforced.
It should be kept in mind but it also needs to be kept in check otherwise people will come in and scream about it in order to divide the userbase, attacks mods, control the channels of speech. The only people who would be against feeling out the right balance would be people who are either extremely free speech or anti-free speech. You're going to have to ignore the polar extremes and make some common sense stuff and then stick with it, saving your responses to such discussions when someone finally makes a good point for you to consider. Ignore everything else.
Perhaps a little less animosity is appropriate in this case. While I agree with you, I completely empathize with OP. It is well known that the rules on reddit subs (especially default subs) are draconic to the point of oppressive and ridiculous (some even requiring that you read a flippin' wiki). That combined with how the large news and politics subs on reddit are compromised away from open and free discussion (note I did not say "free speech") and people are extremely against such things as large numbers or reddit-style rules.
Now that said, shame on OP for not recognizing how it was handled and for using anarchy dressed as free speech. This is entirely his own pride and... what is the phrase? "Butthurt"?