You're implying that there's no middle ground between "moderators unilaterally edit your question, including substantial semantic changes" and "question deletion".

I find that simultaneously troubling and, given my experiences on SE, unsurprising from someone whom I assume is a SE mod. If that's the position that most moderators take, no wonder it's such a caustic place.

Not an SO moderator. I've answered a few questions over the years, and I've browsed the new queue. I suggest you do the same before forming an opinion.

No thanks. The SO community made it very clear they aren't interested in having me be a part of it.