No other message boards I frequent have anything like the BBQ Pit.
They likely know full well the laws and rules regarding internet/online harassment, and know that just allowing such in one forum does not cut it. I think that allowing harassment is going to get the SDMB shut down. Another board started such harassment of a member here- and the Mods shut them down- but said it was Okay in the Pit. That is most certainly not true. The laws do not allow such a exemption.
Not to mention, it makes us look like a bunch of 8yo Internet bullies. I have seen newbies come in, get pitted, and leave. Yes, they were mostly sorta goofy, but it does take a while to get those boards temperature to know how to fit in.
I see your point about Trolls, but I have been told my “troll-o-meter” is so bad I was asked to stop reporting trolls. I blame this upon my fantastically great genre savvy in Fantasy Roleplaying Games! 
Now, if I were to have my druthers, as my Dad used to say, I would certainly allow rants vs the world, businesses, politicians, and so forth. Some of those are great, and I wouldn’t mind participating except them someone will start calling me names over some imagined slight in another post or forum.
I concur here.
Look, I agree with Czarcasm! He is absolutely correct. Internet harassment of a poster. even when limited to the BBQ Pit is not in any way shape or form “outside”.
I love the way you put that! But…
Can we still hate politicians, crappy products, a bad day and nasty companies?
Yes, good points.
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Discourse will constantly remind you of it, over and over and over and over and over.