The question is: Has the Internet and the type of people using it evolved to the point where you simply have to come up with a way to ban people that you and your buddies just don't want to put up with? But still allow EVERYBODY who follows the rules a place to post....
why doesn't the ignore feature work for this? it seems it should. In my early days on RB I put tons of people on ignore. Eventually I learned to read through that stuff and not let it get to me (except for one notable exception and I think you know who that was). My concern about banning is the criteria for doing so. It needs to be clearly defined and stated. Maybe there could be a rule about a poster that is badgering, excessive and/or repetitive?
I think it can be done.
I have confidence that between you and the other good thinkers around here, you can deal with these issues. iHub is still by far the best place.