When I see a poster call another poster an a**h*le, I hit abuse. Jerk? ok. But obscene names? Not ok.
So far I've passed on that kind of treatment. Maybe I shouldn't. I do some faux-swearing like d@mn, but that's the extent of it. I am not someone who uses that kind of language anymore (since I was much younger.)
Having the debates move from arugments to outright name-calling fights really bothers me and there is a LOT of that. But should you punch the abuse button because not everyone knows how to construct lawyerly or scientific arguments at all times? Nah, you can't do that. Plus it's no fun to feel like you're just sitting in school all the time. How do we know where to draw the line?
At the same time I don't actually see much racism although there are some "edgy" comments that could be called that in some quarters. Since the outside world is going to take what we say out of context, or cite the very few genuine (or planted) instances against us then maybe it would be wise to tighten up the standards on that...?