Hello, everyone. I am afraid I must take some time away from the Great Erastus Treasure Hunt 2 in order to let you all know that Your Lord has been informed that his views on freedom of speech are not welcome in the United States of America.

The News Shopper has been advertising its sister site thus:

Get the latest US election news and video reports from our sister title USAToday.com

Your Lord took the time to leave some messages on the USAToday.com site in order to not only introduce himself to his American cousins but to also air some controversial views on the long, drawn-out American electoral process.

I will admit that I also broached the subject of war and urged readers to take a break from the election to take the time to read my News Shopper blog.

Your Lord said that if the American public thought that Russell Brand was controversial and Ricky Gervais was funny, they should get a load of me.

Subsequently, I received the following email.

From: pcooper@usatoday.com To: pigg01@hotmail.com Date: Wed, 29 Oct 2008 14:59:35 -0400 Subject: Issue with USA TODAY account

LordPiggott, I work in the USA TODAY newsroom connecting readers and reporting, and I'm writing to let you know about an issue with your account on our site. Our moderators have suspended your account after determining your comments do not meet the community guidelines.

The site welcomes a broad array of perspectives in the community's conversations, and these differing opinions are what lead to strong and engaging discussions. But we require contributions that are respectful of an ongoing news conversation. Your comments violate the site guidelines against advertising and spam.

Other readers correctly report these comments as abusive, and the moderators feel it is necessary to intervene.

Thank you for your time.

Regards, Patrick

Patrick Cooper Network Editor USA TODAY

Your Lord’s reply was as follows:

Dear Mr Cooper

Fair enough, it's your loss.

Thank God, I am too old to be called up to get slaughtered in one of your 'oil-driven' wars in the name of democracy.

My next blog on the News Shopper (UK) online newspaper will be based on your reaction to my endeavour to infiltrate your obviously very sensitive, secretive and somewhat 'salubrious' site.

Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott.

p.s. Naturally, you and your readers are welcome to visit my blog at any time, as I have nothing to hide because freedom of speech still reigns in Britain.

p.p.s. Say hi to Uncle Sam for me.

I will leave the News Shopper readers to come to their own conclusions.

I will also fully understand and appreciate if I am banned from the News Shopper.

Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott