And who exactly is the arbiter of deciding who should be banished? What happens if falsely accused? Will there first be an opportunity to defend oneself? What are the specific rules that would cause one to be banished? Does this remove one's ability to offer sarcasm and/or satire? What about the basement - all sunshine and roses there too?

Personally, my preference is self-policing where miscreants are shamed by the community. Typically they either comply, go somewhere else, or give up after a short period of verbal sparring. Don't really see anything wrong with that.

How about a new icon for these new types of safe zone forums - maybe a snowflake? (bet I just made the list)

This forum is all kinds of fun with great contributors and very helpful information. Once you've been in certain groups long enough, you seem to know the regulars pretty well and can even consider them friends. Part of the fun is giving each other a hard time and goading one another. Outsiders may perceive as hate, but insiders know that its all in clean fun and enjoy the sparring.

Just concerned that this element will be removed from the forums without any consideration of what is really going on.

Guess I may not be frequenting the same threads you are, as I would consider everything I read 95%+ positive on Pinside.

Just to be clear, I definitely draw the line at personally attacking someone. If you wouldn't say it to their face, then don't type it in a forum. However, I have no problem respectfully challenging opinions, offering my own reasonable opinions that others may not like, and as stated before goading regulars in a friendly way. Just concerned that this legitimate behavior will be artificially restricted and make the site less entertaining/attractive for many of us who love to hang out here.

Even so, all of this is speculation at this point. Main thing is to understand the rules by which all will be governed by.

I will have to go check that out.