Midnight-
If you mean that the squelched party knows who squelched him, no, don't like it. I have seen that one in action and in my opinion it only makes things worse. Usually one guy then goes off and starts badmouthing the other fellow on open, knowing his buds will say "Hey, he is really going off on you!". Then the first fellow unsquelches, and the fight is on again.
There is a fundamental flaw with the squelch thing that is missed by many- squelch only treats the symptom. The problem is the conduct of the players to begin with. Squelch is a nice compromise if the community understands that there are still limits to what behavior is allowed. Instead, people have used squelch as an excuse to behave any way they like. "Hey, if people don't like the way I act, they can squelch me." Let's not kid ourselves; the squelch thing has not improved behavior, if anything it has made it worse.
Sometimes I have to spank my children. Not often, but often enough they know they will be spanked if they get out of line too far. Maybe I should just talk to them and never hold the spanking over their heads like I sometimes do, but sometimes that's all the kids understand. If they won't respect me and my authority, won't accept reasoned direction, and ignore common sense and decency then I am forced to use whatever means at my disposal to effect the change I feel is necessary. I don't enjoy it but it is my responsibility to do so.
I wouldn't simply ignore them. That sends entirely the wrong message and does nothing to correct abherrant behavior. This has always been the way I have thought about squelch.
[This message has been edited by Kieran (edited 04-08-2001).]
