I'm surprised you all are so surprised by this.
I'm not. But maybe that's because I've been on the net since 1984?!
Anyway I've been saying it for months: whenever we "wear our letters in public" -- which includes on the internet -- we are representing our GLO. Many of us include our GLO in our sig or handle, therefore, that's what we are.
As Hermione said, I don't think it's so much the revealing of ritual. I think it's more of the off-color threads.
And BTW, it's no secret that I have PM'ed members of KD about some of their msgs posted on here.
What gives me the authority? Well, let's just say that for KD, I have been an internet pioneer. That and the fact that KD HQ has continued to allow me to run a website, internet newsletters, & a KD webring for over 8 years, because they know I adhere to the policy...
A few years ago, KD established an internet policy, which probably your GLOs also have. KD's is posted here:
http://www.kappadelta.org/National/national.htm
And believe me, I have had my own words w/ HQ regarding free speech.
The bottom line is this: you're wearing your letters in GC. So act like it, or else, deal with your HQ.
And finally... once you're alum, these rules don't seem to apply as strictly, but it doesn't give you full reign to post however you want.