That's obviously not what I meant with that post, but whatever..

Well this thread has just gone from tense to morbid.

Bingo! That's exactly what I meant!

Does it matter if a mod is a good poster?

On one hand I think it should since that mod helps set the tone for discussion, but on the other hand the mod could still be great at modding even if their posts are bad.

I think being a good poster is key.

As a mod our job isnt just to ban people and warn people, but to push positive discussion, keep threads on topic and set a good example for other users to follow.

I'm fed up with seeing blanket warnings in threads, somehow if multiple people in a thread all break the rules, certain mods can't be bothered to hand out individual moderations and so they all get a free pass and a in thread warning.

Shouldn't be like that. I did message a mod once recently and they rectified it, but I'd like to see it stamped out completely.

Also we really need a few senior head mods that can overthrow other mods decisions. Carl, Kantor, Tor, Kahn and a couple others maybe.

Something that we've been trying to do these past six months is encourage positive discussion. If a thread is going sour with some borderline posts, but there's been no rulebreaks, then that would be a good point to step in to cut it out and to encourage positive discussion. In other (and most) cases, people in the thread have already been moderated for breaking the rules and the warning is an attempt to restore the thread on topic rather than having to lock it; or leaving it and then more moderating. Very, very few cases do people get a "free pass" as you describe. At least, that's the case for me. I'm not sure how other mods do it, but I believe it is more of the same.

Also for your point of mods being able to overthrow other decisions; that's already the case (even though most decisions are discussed in the mod chat). It's just very, very few decisions are overturned. 

Once you cross a certain line I think the progressive moderation system should be thrown out the window in favor of a straight permaban. 

I second this.

Well you guys sure know how to break a thread either way

As for the post, he's already gone up multiple moderation levels. Jumping straight to a permaban is too harsh, even with the severity of the offence in this instance. The mod system is as it is to be fair to everyone; and as this is (relatively) out of character, he will get one more (and only one more, which has been made clear to him).

The other mods who I've spoken to about it are all in agreement with this, so far. I'd be surprised if that changes but who knows.