As for blocking, as long as it is simply a shield then I see no issue with it.
I am not sure what "simply a shield" means, in board function terms.
As noted, it would not mean people would not be able to see or participate in threads, nor would they get kicked out of threads.
With the current Ignore function, if I want to ignore you, I don't see your posts. But you can still see mine, and respond to them.
This full Block, as I understand it, is two-way. If I want to Block you, I don't see your posts, and you don't see mine. So, you cannot directly respond to my posts, as you can't see them.
...and often as a means to get in the final word...
Well, we cannot control when a person will choose to initiate a block. "Argue...argue... argue. Here's my last point and you are a stinky-head. And now I will
block you." would still be possible. Of course, now the blocked person wouldn't
see the final declaration, which probably removes some of the point of posting like this.
I think we would keep the policy against publicly announcing blocking.