No, I'm not talking about the modern conception (freedom to say or do whatever you want, even blasphemy and heresy).

But think of it this way -- what Catholic regime has ever prosecuted citizens for "thought crimes" -- or forbidden discussion on various topics? National Socialism (nαzι Germany, modern-day USA) and Communism (Red China, USSR) are not Catholic phenomena.

So I think it is Catholic to allow people the dignity -- as befits children of God -- to discuss, hold opinions different from the king/president, etc.

As the saying goes, "In necessary things, unity; In doubtful things, liberty; In all things, charity". I think that would make an excellent guideline for CathInfo.

In necessary things, Unity: You can't muse on CathInfo about whether or not Our Lord was truly God. That is a dogma of the Faith.
In doubtful things, Liberty: This whole crisis in the Church is unprecedented -- people must be given room to discuss things and figure things out. Everyone should be presumed to be acting in good faith unless it becomes strikingly obvious.
In all things, Charity: For we can never dispense with Charity, even when dealing with a real villain. The most you should say is, "May the will of God be done in you."