Personally, I think the solution is for mods to hit the delete button early when the thread content is unacceptable. Of course, this would require that the "standard" is well defined for "acceptable content."

From the outside, it looks like people are baited until they respond in an inappropriate fashion. Then, one person is banned or the thread is locked.

Over time, posters would understand that PP doesn't play that and wouldn't bother posting unacceptable content on their own. The plus is that you get the acceptable content which banning doesn't allow.

My two cents... which is probably not worth two cents.