I think that rule applies mostly within a given topic. If you make a claim, that claim is addressed or rebutted, then you just keep making the claim.
In certain cases there have been times when someone comes in and starts a new thread on a topic that has been beaten to death. If that is the case then usually someone who knows about it will point the new poster to an already open thread discussing that topic so that they can read through just that one and potentially continue the discussion there. In many instances though, if it has been long enough, the repeated topic is allowed to continue due to the cobwebs on the older topic.
Your best case is just ask. Go ahead and post a new topic. The Admins are usually pretty amiable to sincere attempts to start a good discussion even if it is repeated.
Organizations worth supporting:
Electronic Frontier Foundation | Defending your rights in the digital world (Protect Privacy and Security)
Home | American Civil Liberties Union (Protect Civil Rights)
AAUP (Protect Higher Learning)
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