I didn't advocate any punishments. Also, he wasn't/isn't trolling. But there's a big difference between not punishing newcomers and being friendly to them. There are reasons why few visitors become regular contributors.

Why are you white knighting this guy?

At one point he called a mod a mother****er. He also called another member a chicken ****. Which veteran member post crossed the TOS line moreso than his posts?

I'm not "white knighting" him. But at least he seems smart and capable of starting worthwhile discussions, which is in line with the kind of active new member the site needs. The bad side wouldn't have surfaced fast if people hadn't been hostile toward him. Like I said, it's a pattern that probably drives away some people who have started participating or even before that. Advice to all: be friendlier to new members.

People were only hostile towards him because of his attitude, which it should be pointed out he admitted to and apologised for later on. And fair play to him for that he could have just walked, but he apologised and chose to start again.

I'd much rather give him respect for that than to kiss someones ass just because they are new.

I'm perfectly nice to new members, just as long as they're the same to me.

If I hear that term 'white knighting' one more time I swear I will ban someone.

I don't know if you were talking about my post. I was responding to the OP in a general sense, then he took it personally. I had no idea that a similar argument was going on until I read the entire topic.

If I say it again, can I be the one to choose who you ban? :)

You're naughty and need a spanking. ;)

Ah, so these tag-teams sometimes are accidental. Then I must specifically ask the big-name members to usually wait a few hours to raise objections to points made by newbies. If someone else answers first, then probably don't say anything. The last thing a non-trolling new member wants is to be quickly jumped on by multiple members.

Er... what? Are you saying you think most of the time there's some sort of conspiracy to disagree with someone as a group? Bizarre.

So in your opinion, one of the perks of being a long-time contributor to the site should be more restrictions placed on one's posting? How does that make any sense?