Steve: I don't think that's the problem. When you look at the Rate This User function, "1 star" is the option showing in the drop-down box. You have to select the number stars you want to award and then click the Submit Rating button. It will accurately log whichever selection you made. I suppose a few folks mistakenly hit the Submit Rating button first, before selecting their choice of stars, but all they have to do is repeat the process with a different selection and the system will change their "vote." The system may be silly, but I don't think it's broken.
As an aside, IMO, the problem with the whole "popularity contest" idea is that the people who earn low ratings (usually because they are ill-mannered or a bit childish, break the rules, or generally poison the discussion) don't really care, and a 1-Star rating won't keep them from continuing their antics. Often you'll see two of them pounding away at each other ... the best response is to stay out of it and just let them wear themselves out. When others start to weigh in or criticize them, the mud just gets on everybody.
Ironically, I bet most of them are nice guys you'd be happy to share a blind or a bottle with (just not at the same time, of course). They just like to argue and think this is a great place to do it. Like your mom used to say, it's all fun and games, until somebody gets hurt!
Here's to the 99% who make this place such a pleasure to hang out at
TT
