I have AdBlock Plus installed on my browser, and I don't think I've ever seen any ads on this site, other than that which is the subject of this thread. I see the “thread” showing up, anyway, but it gets blocked when I try to follow it.
AdBlock Plus has set
some established rules for ads, and is set by default to allow ads that follow these rules. I happen to agree that these rules make perfect sense, and am OK with allowing ads to be displayed that follow them. I guess too many advertisers are unwilling to follow these rules, so I end up not seeing the vast majority of them.