It's NOT set up "just to criticize other people". It IS a hands off board in the spirit of the original Dead Goat Saloon, where people can say what they think without being censored or banned. Sometimes the place gets a little rowdy, and sometimes there are trolls who post stuff trying to stir up trouble.
Despite what Mr Wimer and some others would have you believe, the Ashpit does NOT exist solely to bash him. However, he DOES come in for his fair share (and maybe a little more) of criticism-- mostly for things he as done, or the way he has treated people who disagreed with him. OTOH, many of our more problematic trolls are posters from his board who have come over just to cause trouble on ours. I believe the phrase "stirring the pot" would cover it.
Anyway, you can't always believe the bad press.