You were given the reason: ads aren't allowed in the discussion areas. It doesn't matter if the ad is for a web site or an herbal treatment for male erectile disfunction. You could be Osama or the Pope, still doesn't matter. Everyone is treated equally now in a cold business sense. The socialist Bar has fallen to capitalism (where have you been anyway?) embrace it and you will profit.
I'm not insensitive to anyone's cause but at the same time I can't say "I like Dave so he can do this" and "I don't like that guy, so he can't." It's not fair when people are asked to pay for ads and other aren't. Even now, there are still disputes about who can ask about what and how that guy's response is an advertisement, why is he allowed... I have to treat everyone the same or it all falls apart. If it makes me a jerk then that's what I have to be.