it is usually provoked by the 'take no prisoners' VP stance

I don't know what that is.

several posters here would be banned until they apologized, including both Ethan and Dante

If there are memorable things I've said that people felt were personal attacks or especially offensive, I'd consider apologizing. Maybe better to send them by email to ethane72@gmail.com than start here a discussion here which almost by its definition would be contentious.

I know I've more than once spoken of a Hyde side to Dante, referring of course to Jekyll and Hyde. But when I perceive a post as a stream of personal attacks and assertions interleaved that I can make no sense of, I haven't been able to think of a more polite way to reply. Suggestions welcome. Referring to Hyde at least recognizes that a Jekyll side to a person exists.

I will offer a general apology for any times I've screwed up and made personal attacks. I can't think of any right off, but my memory isn't the greatest.