I think its fair to say that some threads and some people get more heated than others and we have had cases of people losing their rags and hurling insults at one and other. However as TMC says I don't feel that the majority of the threads descend to this level and we all have the opportunity just to ignore either threads or posters.
I never see the need for personal attacks and I think it puts many people off. The Pink'un site used to be full of it. Discuss football, not posters.