> On the other hand, why is this behaviour deemed unacceptable, and StackExchange double dipping on user generated content is not?
At least I'm engaging on StackExchange with the understanding that conversations (questions, answers, comments) there go on the public record for the benefit of future curious humans. I see that as a way of giving back to a community that's provided me with invaluable knowledge.
If I'd known somebody might delete their half of a fruitful conversation as a political statement months or years down the road, I might never have spent the time and effort of participating.
Thinking of it in terms of co-authorship, one of several co-authors also doesn't get to retroactively destroy the combined work by ripping out their individual contributions. If you collaborate, make sure you know and are aligned with the terms of the resulting work.