Moot point ... not mute. Sorry, I also tend to edit other people's work. Can't help it. I agree that if the editor changes the meaning of a sentence and the ultimate idea communicated by the article, that is wholly inappropriate. The editor is not there to alter the intent of the written work. If the editor does more than clean up grammar, the occaisional incorrect word usage (as in "moot" rather than "mute"), and punctuation, they should absolutely communicate with the author prior to publication. It is the author's name on the work after all. Some editors are frustrated writers. Some are very good writers that are stuck in their own style of writing. Either type can be horrible editors because they tend to try to impose their style on the author. A good editor makes suggestions and works with the author. A REALLY good editor doesn't leave their fingerprints all over the place.

Could be worse, could be raining.