I don't know how big a problem it is, but surely one factor is that newbies are apt to rise up in arms when they see some Mudcatter get attacked. Worse yet, they feel, is that no one has jumped in to defend the 'Catter, so that they feel compelled to do it themselves. And there goes the thread merrily on.

The reason I know all this is that was my reaction. A newbie does not necessarily know where to go to learn the accepted policy. Might a PermaBanner above the threads list be a good idea?

Ebbie