In my opinion, there is a very nice ignore feature where anyone can choose to ignore anyone else. There should never be a reason to ban someone.
If I choose to "ignore" someone, it does not stop their comments becoming part of a public forum
At what point does a business venture (yes folks, remember what this is ) with an attached message board that many of us are able to freely enjoy have to decide if the potential liability of allowing one person to "say anything" jeopardizes the venture itself?
The fact that one may successfully defend against litigation does not address the cost of defending against the litigation, does it?
I'm sure there are a few folks who have me set to "ignore", because primarily of the subjects discussed on US Chat, but no one who can say I have defamed a business rival or someone I personally dislike.
Some of us have thicker skins than others, and relish a good rumble: we exchange barbs and still communicate frequently via PMs, but there are others who are more fragile, and should not be subject to "bullying", especially in a public forum.
It is up to each of us to decide where the line is drawn, and for those who make wrong decisions, in the eyes of those ultimately running the board, a temporary or permanent ban is the remedy
I personally like Peter, and will miss a lot of his comments, but that's not really what the discussion is about, is it?