Sad, indeed...and on a few occasions in the more distant past, I suspect some posters have used that tactic deliberately. However, we're not inclined to close an entire thread for such single-poster violations...more so when 3 or 4 or more cheerleaders join in the flamey fun. Then even the quite important and informative to others posts get drowned out in the din.

In short: As you suggest, closing threads IS more the exception than the rule.