Any business will cut the regular customers a bit of slack. In this case, it isn't a bad thing.

I think this is largely true, and its not in the least surprising.

I know I've got away with things on occasion, and have had a gentle slap on the wrist now and then for things that might have been treated more severely from a "newer" reviewer.

That is, to a large degree, the way life works. Experience, putting in your time, and developing a reputation counts for something, and may occasionally buy a little slack.

Its not excessive bias however, and nor should it be. I think the admin hand here is pretty fair and even handed.

I consider myself a site regular. As such, I can state categorically...this is not true.

Almost impossible to gauge with any level of accuracy due to a multitude of factors. ..

Given the fact that The Moderator has absolute power, the moderation of this site appears to be amazingly free of bias and/or corruption.

Probably, but that isn't necesarily a bad thing, and sometimes that's why controversial and sometimes offensive things happen around here. Would you rather it was moderated in favor of the Asthenic Beast or someone named Hitler Youth 2000? It's an open forum, and weird things happen when you have a wide open forum, it shouldn't be such a great shock.

I find it quite curious that the prolific rater Mrs.morovan hasn't spoken out on this issue.

Well it's true, and it's perfectly logical as well.
If a site regular who is in the Top 100 and has a history of brilliant posting steps out of line, it's not going to make sense to delete his/her account and kick them off the site. It would be a complete waste. However, if a one-review wonder does something stupid, the chances are they will have their account deleted, and that is because the ratio of stupidity to genius is already far too high. And a one-review-account isn't exactly worth anything anyway...

No doubt about it. And the evidence is overwhelming.

If this is true, I had no idea, but, like irishgit, would not surprised. Regulars are regulars because they've consistently followed the rules for a very long time. They wouldn't have accounts if that weren't the case. It would be in no one's interests to give the boot to a regular for an isolated offense.

I dunno; I think I probably have gotten off the hook on some, er, "excessive language issues" that I know I sometimes have.  Is it because I've been here for a long time?  I dunno, I can't say why they do what they do.  For all I know, RIA might have a soft spot for short Asian chicks, how should I know?

No freaking question about it.

Come on. How else are the new guy going to become regulars...

Hell, the man busts my balls quite often.

"Hi numbah, just a reminder..."

He's always so polite about it, though.