So, in case it hadn't been guessed yet, my post title is referring to this thread in particular, where Saiwania was reported for violating the PG-13 rule put in place to protect minors from explicit content, like that of the reported post, and was given permission by a mod to simply edit out the rule-breaking content with not even a slap on the wrist. This is in spite of the fact that the rule-breaking content has already been quoted repeatedly and is thus still completely visible on the site. Seeing as how third-party appeals are deemed verboten, I'm posting a query on it (and the implications it brings up) instead.
Essentially, my question is, when exactly were we just allowed to receive mod permission to edit rule-breaking posts (particularly posts that's filled with sexually explicit content, of all things) in lieu of punishment for obvious rule-breaking behavior? That really makes the whole point of having warnings, bans, DEATs, and even a system of rules themselves all utterly worthless if we're just allowed to edit our rule-breaking posts now, well after they've been seen by numerous other people, quoted repeatedly, and even reported to moderation.