sigh. I love both of you guys, so I'm not voting in the poll. In fact, I like you both so much, I'd let ya double-team my girlfriend. Well, maybe her sister. Don't like you guys THAT much.
Here's my take on things. The FOGs who have been around here a long time have seen a lot of **** come and go. They've seen people's actions over a long period of time, and are pretty damn good at ferreting out people who are -- even tacitly -- being unfair to others or the spirit of this site.
They do not want to let people slide on their puts and takes, not just because of the fairness in a particular pass -- though that matters too, everyone in a pass is slighted when puts/takes are out of line -- but also so as to not set a bad precedent here.
I concur that it should be the pass owner's ultimate decision -- but only if it is done out of an active decision, e.g. "These puts are good with me, because...", not out of passivity or not wishing to make a stand.
It isn't easy or fun to call someone out, and tell them they've screwed the pooch; I don't think any of these guys relish in doing it. They just care about the integrity of this site enough, and in a way, it's very much a paternal act of caring. If they didn't give a damn, they wouldn't bother.
While it sucks to see people fight about things like this, I also think it's healthy. Air it all out...