Objectively pay attention to the rep count of noobs and their political bent, Traj. It isn't hard to see.
This is about a welcome mat being laid out for one side and a "you're not welcome" one for the other.
My solution is simple, eliminate the rep function.
On the other hand, if they take rep so seriously, this place isn't for them because we currently have rep.
It's just out of principle. The responsibility of their leaving because of rep falls just as much on them for taking it so seriously, maybe more.
Either way - keeping rep or not - I'm ok with it.
And, a lot of those who got "negged into oblivion" got negged mostly for the whines about negs - my observation. Two examples from both left and right sides right off the top of my head - Copsnrobbers and Lahkota. Both very whiny about rep.
The thin-skinned will not last here. If negs are gone, the flames will take them out. Just saying.