I'm wondering after the few years I've been on this forum, why in the last year or so there have been more than one locked discussion. Doesn't seem fair that an admin can lock a discussion & take part in one side, Does it?

Seems more like the person being offensive or picking on people should be asked to not post or be blocked from posting.

Never saw this until recently, kind of why I've been sparse on the forum, seems like some people have nothing better to do that to nit pick everyone & start heated discussions.

Instead of locking a discussion that everyone can read & get riled up about, yet no one can respond, why not erase it?

This is actually pretty standard admin behavior for most forums, jazzy.

They don't delete the thread because the individual who started it has a right to post their thoughts on boards which don't specifically prohibit certain topics of discussion.
An admin will usually lock a thread if they feel the discussion has become out of control, and is no longer beneficial for anyone debating the topic.