Its an interesting problem and harkens back to the "99% of what you read on the internet was written by an insane person".

Normal humans have neither the inclination nor time to spend 200 hours per week micromanaging forum discussion. Thus, over time, mod control centralizes around those that do.

Point being: If he does ban the mods, eventually control will just reform around a similar group (if not the same group under different names).

Its a tough problem, and I commend spez on giving mods enough power to run their sub without much top-down interference, even if its to the point of destroying their own subs with blackouts, etc. However obviously a balance must be struck.