I can see why each LL has its own set of rules. I don't actually see a whole lot of variations in those rules from one to another. But it makes sense that part of the reason for the rules is to have control of the flow of the LL, whether there is a certain quality standard you want, or a particular consistancy you want your surfers to know they will always find in sites listed on your LL, or whatever other reason. It's the owner of each LL's perogative as owners to establish. I try to make a note to myself as I read these rules if I see one that doesn't seem to be a 'standard' rule. Off the top of my head, I really can't think of any that I have actually seen though.
Along the same line of thought, as a submit I have the right to chose to not submit to a LL that may have rule that I prefer to not build my sites to conform with. To me, its just that simple.
If I hated to wear shoes in public, I'd be sure to steer clear of establishments that insisted I wear shoes. Their rules, but I don't have to participate. If I was in majority on barefoot-advocacy and the general population began to refuse to frequent the one place that had an anti-free-foot rule, they'd have to re-evaluate that rule in order to not risk loosing business.
I think this provides a balance of making sure that there are standards without attempts to impose impossible rules.
As for rejection emails...I certainly would never expect one, but I really really appreciate the ones I have gotten. They usually come the morning after an attempt to submit a site way past my bedtime. These rejection emails alert me to stupid errors on my part so that I can correct them pronto. They don't all give a reason, but I especially appreciate when they do. I've even had an owner/reviewer send a really nice email when a site submitted months prior was discovered to have one bad thumb link. That one really went out of their way to help me out! They now have an eternally grateful newbie.
