Great Question!

I first want to agree with Scott, that I think that a lot of things are called personal attacks that aren't really attacks. There is a tendency on FlyerTalk to use the TOS as a blunt instrument (or not use it at all!), and I feel that it is much more of a general guideline. The mere mention of another poster's name is not necessarily an attack.

When attacks really do occur, they seem to be the result of disputes and resentments that build over time. I think that the TalkBoard is ideally suited to take a more active role in mediating some of these disputes before they go too far.

I myself have been involved in a situation which started as a simple difference of opinion, but has spiraled into something much more serious because we were not able to work out the situation on our own. Had a resource been available that would have allowed a mediation and handling of the issue early on, I feel that the resulting situation could have been avoided.

Someone recently referred to the TalkBoard as the Legislative Branch of the FlyerTalk government. If this is successful, perhaps it could be spun off into a separate Judicial service to the community.