I am part of a mommy message board.. and yes, we have mods. However, they very rarely have to close threads or warn posters or anything.

We have a "safe word".. the OP can post it, or another person who thinks that the thread has gotten hurtful, gone overboard or whatever, and they can post the "safe word." After that, people respect it.. and move on. Makes us all feel like equals, makes feel like somebody didn't get in trouble, etc. I like a world where everybody works together like that