Mas - I think you may be referring back to my post "let the big boys defend themselves" as an example of the attitude you mention above. Since I think you are misreading both the attitude, and the actions, I'll pop in a few words. I did go out of my way, a couple of times, to delete or censor unwarranted attacks, or attacks that were vile, vicious, or, were, in the mod's view, unacceptably inflammatory. Other mods have done the same, throughout the brief history of modding. We also take flack for shutting down free speech when we do so. So it can be a fine line.
When a poster is experienced, and has a known quantity of temperament, we might allow more badinage than would be appropriate between lesser known characters. This is human - we know the individuals - at least as fellow netizens. We know them as thick skinned - or not. But it is quite obvious, using as an example the recent Amsterhammer brouhaha, that all posters are held accountable. The Politics arena is one that typically "allows" more badinage. I find it quite intolerable, but I recognize that there is a community there that does not mind.
I think, in this, that you are exaggerating the impact of I don't think that the present mod squad, at least in the activity I see, is "letting things slide." Au contraire, based on the brouhaha, the enforcement seems even-handed across the board to me. Much of the reaction I've seen, in my opinion, is a reaction precisely COUNTER to your statement. I think I'm seeing people get upset because they ARE getting held to account. Regardless of experience. I'm applauding it.