In such a context, when someone speaks of the “right” to do X, that means the ability to do X without being punished (in whatever way is being discussed). Here, downvoting is the analogue of armed guards beating one up.
Ah, I could see how you would see that as a contradiction, then.
In that case, for purposes of this discussion, I withdraw my support for your right to do that.
And since I intend to downvote any comment or post for any reason I see fit at the time, it follows that no one has the right to post any comment or post of any sort, by your definition, since they can reasonably expect to be ‘punished’ for it.
For the purposes of other discussions, I do not accept your definition of ‘right’, nor do I accept your framing of a downvote as a ‘punishment’ in the relevant sense. I will continue to do my very best to ensure that only the highest-quality content is shown to new users, and if you consider that ‘punishment’, that is irrelevant to me.
Ah, I could see how you would see that as a contradiction, then.
In that case, for purposes of this discussion, I withdraw my support for your right to do that.
And since I intend to downvote any comment or post for any reason I see fit at the time, it follows that no one has the right to post any comment or post of any sort, by your definition, since they can reasonably expect to be ‘punished’ for it.
For the purposes of other discussions, I do not accept your definition of ‘right’, nor do I accept your framing of a downvote as a ‘punishment’ in the relevant sense. I will continue to do my very best to ensure that only the highest-quality content is shown to new users, and if you consider that ‘punishment’, that is irrelevant to me.
I won’t bother trying any further to convince you here; but in general I will continue to ask that people behave in a less hostile manner.