User blog comment:ShawnCognitionCP/New chat rule/@comment-4705438-20140124050116/@comment-4787430-20140125005403

Who says it's not punishable. Insulting someone is the same as a personal attack, which is not acceptable and not allowed. A mod can issue a ban from chat for such things.

People in chat will have differing opinions on subject matter, but the point is to not have these differing opinions lead to personal attacks and flames wars. Staff are allowed to defend themselves just as any other user.