I think VonDondu hit the nail on the head at the end of his post. People have next to zero culpability for their actions (or in this case, words) while cruising Internet forums. It's as simple as the worst thing that can happen is being 'banned' from a forum. Big deal. For the most part here, I'm referring to trolls and other Inet rudeboys/gals who simply zoom through forums looking for anything or anyone to make fun of.
On the flip side, there are those whose words are not intended to hurt, however, due to a lack of eye contact, different cultures, religions, misunderstanding, context, etc..., wind up offending another. When this happens, I believe the reader or recipient of 'said offending words' is as responsible or more responsible than the writer. Everyone should realize Inet forums, instant messaging, and email are impersonal and incomplete forms of communication making it difficult to carry on a serious debate of sensitive topics (abortion, religion, Evolution vs. the paltry theory of creationism [just kidding
]). One really needs to desensitize (is that a word?) themselves when participating in online conversations, because we've all seen how quickly a simple debate can lead to harsh flaming/banning usually because someone is too sensitive and took something the wrong way.
I am one of the many who can far too easily take someone's words the wrong way which is the primary reason I stay out of the debates around here. I know it's not practicing what I preach, but emotion oft overrides common sense.