As well as being members, we are also "guests" in this forum so there is an assumed requirement that we behave as guests would in someone else's home. I follow this rule of thumb if I'm in someone's house, restrauant, country or board. I have seen real and negative consequences resulting from combative/ill-considered comments on boards which usually snow-ball rapidly.

And the host has every right to quickly nip them in the bud, the sooner the better IMO - "Yeah, wrong attitude. you're not bringing that trash into my house."