Those "ignore" buttons can be right handy, if you're tired of reading the contributions of folks you don't agree with. Liberal use of the "ignore" button by several folks would probably cut down on GB's aspirin bill (sorry I used the l-word). Taking a breather away from the Pot Bellied Stove, and hashing out other controversies on the many other forums here on GBO might be a welcome change for some.
Or just avoid conflict, and start a thread that will generate lots of agreement, like "9mm beats 45 ACP for defense" or "High velocity, frangible hunting bullets rule!" Then, just sit back and read the love on the boards. :-D :-D :-D
I agree with the folks that link this sort of flare up to cabin fever, but it would be a pity to let it go unchecked, or spread to other forums on this site. Shooters.com was like that, and it was often an unpleasant place to go and ask for help or information. Too many games of "gotcha", and the whole thing slowly self destructed.
GBO is one of the friendliest sites on the net, firearm related or not, and the vast majority of GBO seems to be without conflict. There's probably plenty of theories about the source of this flare up, but that "ignore" button is still the cure-all.