Would you say that this particular thread was ever reasonable? Judging by title, I'd say not. It's more of a light-hearted take on an issue where consensus will never be achieved.
I disagree with your assertion that 'almost every' thread on here degenerates into abuse. I find the vast majority of the threads in this forum to be thorough, well balanced and passionately argued. There's a varying degree of humour chucked into the fray, as there is in life.
I learn a lot on this forum, but I didn't expect to learn too much from this thread when I read the title. And to be honest, I don't feel my input's any more offensive than Mr Dignan's NIMBY attitude towards military training.
You can bet your arse this chap's a NOTE as well as a NIMBY. If he's not a NOTE, then he's a hypocrite. But being a NOTE and NIMBY is equally unreasonable. Either way, he's pretty naive or selfish. Or both.