I disagree. Well-liked and long time members can do things that newer or disliked members would annoy people by doing.
People get treated differently here, just as it would be any other social situation.
EDIT: No one said the word 'allowed'.
I think this is one of the dangers of the close-knit community this has become. We've got to realize that this is a business for JB and GG. They cannot just let this become a banter group of 100 people. It must always be welcoming to new members, and we need to do the best we can to not treat anyone differently.