How would only the OP know he is gone?
Self moderation should happen right before someone hits send IMO.
Going OT is part of an organic discussion, if an OP just wants to stand on a soapbox they should start a blog. If the offense is that someone derails a topic by becoming obusive to others for having a varying opinion the mods should use their ability to temporarily ban members until the message is clearly recieved by members that the abuse will not be tolerated.
Robin seems to be very proactive in giving his mods the power to reign in the "troublemakers". The issue will be when and if they are willing to use it and what criteria they use in deeming something offensive.
I don't believe in censorship but I also don't feel that abusive behavior to other members of Pinside should go unpunished.
