Firstly I don't really see either what this has to do with political correctness or with joking insults.
the rule about personal attacks is not about language, but intent, its also been a regular rule on this forum for at least the last ten years, if not longer.
We've got plenty of joking insults on forum and as long as its clear everyone is joking I don't really see the problem, the occasions Ironcross has been warned in the past however were anything but.
Also, I repeat post 69 of Caccio's topic was not! the specific reason Ironcross was banned. Mod warnings are cumulative, we all know that.
Recently, another member was banned for ignoring several warnings about cracked games and software, while a second member has received two warnings on the subject.
Mod action has always been cumulative, had this been Ironcross first occasion of stepping over the line, he would at most have got a warning, it is the knock on effect.
Lastly I'm afraid the arguement of blaming someone for holding an unpopular view or "starting drama", instead of the person who actually gets personal makes no sense at all.
I don't think any judge would go along with the argument "well it wasn't my fault I hit him your honour, he got me annoyed and started it!"
I hope this all makes sense.
I have explained the decision as best I can, I have also given examples in post 17 of what I am talking about so that things are absolutely clear.
I apologise if people do not understand, to me the distinction has always been a very obvious matter of simple politeness, and (I would hope), given that we've rarely had to engage in these sorts of brute force moderation tactics over the 14 years this forum has been running, a matter which is fairly evident to the majority of our members too.
With our dreaming and singing, Ceaseless and sorrowless we! The glory about us clinging Of the glorious futures we see,
Our souls with high music ringing; O men! It must ever be
That we dwell in our dreaming and singing, A little apart from ye. (Arthur O'Shaughnessy 1873.)