First, if it offends, turn off images in your browser settings and any images you want to see, you can click and load THAT image- if its a poster or whatever you want to see.
Second, Icons are good, in some cases, like if I said, GET LOST YOU DAMN PIRATE, compaired to GET LOST YOU DAMN PIRATE
It helps to make sure the persons EMOTION (hence the term emoticon) is understood
I hear you Holiday, running a forum isnt always easy, people complain. (I have had my fair share - saved a few, maybe one day ill publish them - people with to much time on their hands and love to whinge)
Its like working in retail, they SAY the customer is always right, but aint true.
If you dont like the service or product go somewhere else.
anyways thats MY rant,