Rules are there to ensure safety and a fun environment for all.
Of course there are those with power who will let outside influence and/or personal feelings dictate when and how enforcement is applied and those types of people are usually removed rather quickly if sufficient evidence is supplied of abuse of power.
However, if the rules set forth are intentionally broken then those in power have the rights to punish as deemed fitting to ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum and the safety and fun of those remain.
If no action was taken, then things can go sour very very quickly and the enjoyment of others would be ruined by the actions of idiots.
Should users of this site come in and declare themselves above the rules that are set forth and act in a manner that is disrupting, they are dealt with in accordance of the rules they violate.
Sometimes a mute is just not going to rectify the situation as users do not learn.