The article 100% misses the point. First off, why is it in poor taste to use an exclamation point for the Aminu incident. It isnt like it was a somber moment. My first reaction when I saw the story was "Holy Cow are you serious?!?!" Plus, if exclamation is so important to Beaton, he should have realized that every "<insert name> update" has an exclamation point, as well as many many other stories, even if they are not all that exciting.
Second, as has been beaten to death, the boards were not shut down because of criticism. They were shut down because people were flying over the handlebars. Beaton is right when he says "being a "good, passionate fan" ... is the ability to step back and be critical when we are disappointed." However, the key is stepping back, and being rationally critical. Not stringing together a bunch of expletives and sticking the word Duke, or the name of a player or coach at the end.
Finally - it wasnt the mods that shut down the board - it was the owners.
My Quick Smells Like French Toast.