I like the "Water Cooler" area idea...
Nick- why don't you and Robert hold moderator ELECTIONS! Let the public decide who's in (reasonable chaps) and who's out (you know who I'd vote for). It would be a first on the 'net! It would surely be an interesting feat. Then they can't blame you when the moderators act up. You'll sleep better, yet you still will be in ultimate control. The generalisimo, the commandante.
(The 2 emrupdate leaders plan elections of future moderators.)*
The legal risk seems a bit more blown up than what it really is. If a vendor threatens too much, then by all means cut THEM off. Ban them! Don't do that to posters, though. They are emrupdate's best resource.
Cheers, Al
* These are NOT the actual Nick or Robert chaps (N&R are much younger and better looking). Since I'm Cuban born, I like to use Cuban themes occasionally in my parodies. aab