Personally, I also find it annoying that someone will create a thread, and then, request to have it shut down. What's the point of creating a thread if you're just going to shut it down; especially when more often then not, you're only doing so because you've been chafed by another member's opinion.
I honestly think we all have a responsibilty to develop thick skins. We're not all going to like what another member may bring to the table, but, we all should be mature enough to handle it without running to a moderator to have a thread locked. I've had things thrown at me I didn't like, and I handled it. I can dish it AND take it. We need to have more of this. This is not Kindergarten, folks. We can either agree to disagree like already has been mentioned, or when a member offends us, we can be men and women enough to handle things ourselves without having to run to "our Mommies (or daddies)"
I also think that alittle thought beforehand can go along way. If you think a topic is going to be too much for the forum, don't post it!