As someone guilty of maybe ‘responding’’ often more ‘agressively’ than appropriate, there are a couple of things that may offer some mitigation.
First up, I cant fully agree with Pap that having met someone, once it should change everything… because most on here have not met Barry so can only judge based on what we read. … (and I am sure Fred West’s neighbours thought he was a great bloke who kept a tidy garden 
)
I suspect, probably quite accurately, that the real ‘Barry’ is your typical bloke, loves his kids and family, (if young kids, probably knackered all the time), down to earth, enjoys a social pint and would be worth a good chin wag with… but that is not what is posted, and as posters who have never met him, its only natural that opinions are formed based on what is posted, rightly or wrongly.
Next up is that I dont think anyone wants to stiffle freedom of speech, as the ethos of this place is to give all their platform. That is fair enough, but i think what many have taken issue with is not his right to express a POV, real or trolled, but that its often the same one on multiple threads… and in some respects beyond banter, especilly Barry’s’WUM threads that questioned tolerance and integration that went on for ages to challenge all of us ‘wet liberal’s’ - it may have been good trolling but it was also a turn off and you will lose folk who just cant be arsed dealing with it.
Finally, is there a Sotonians position on when freedom of speech should be curtailed ? Although in principle exposing folks POVs is an opportunity to counter with rational debate, I dont believe every platform should be about that. For many these forums are just for a bit of banter, a laugh and maybe the odd debate, so if we were for example inundated with racist shit, EDL or BNP ignorance, I for one would not stick around if it was acceptable no matter how good the put downs. Its not what I come onto the forum for.
Quality over quantity is all well and good if you have a critical mass, otherwise you just end up replying to yourself! 
