I'm going to say what many Kossacks do these days: This will be a short diary.
The number of users calling for violence against individuals is growing. It's not a plague yet - the actual count is not huge - but there are more calls to do physical harm to right wingers than in the past. And there are more threats of violence against users from other users than I've seen in six years here.
It ought to go without saying that this is unacceptable discourse. But apparently, it does have to be said.
Some users will argue that they aren't being serious. Something along the lines of: "C'mon, it was hyperbole, dude, just a joke. I didn't mean it. Don't you have a sense of humor? Geez, people are so sensitive."
I have a message for you: Leave that shit to Ann Coulter.
Up until now, users making such statements have been warned not to do it again before additional action is taken. No more. Anyone who threatens violence or makes a call for beating up or killing someone, or suggests that someone should kill themselves, or says that poison should be put in somebody's crème brûlée, or makes similar remarks will be summarily banned.
[Update: Enough users have persuaded me that there will be borderline instances when a warning would be appropriate before a banning. So be it. It should also be noted that this rule will be - was always intended to be - narrowly construed, not something encompassing all forms of cartoon violence, literary references and the like. As most users know, I am no fan of bans. In fact, I hate them, and only resort to them when nothing else has worked to change a user's behavior. I also believe in mercy even when people do break rules. Threats, however, and other calls for violence against individuals are serious matters. They will be dealt with seriously.]