Theymos, the big administrator, said that this flag isn't a problem..
I have had you on ignore for a while now. But you being here with that flag is an issue that can't be ignored anymore. Chaos may have several reasons for moving on, but he stated that you're flag waving was the primary motivation.
Theymos isn't part of this project, nor is he part of this community. He doesn't have to look at your flag everyday, others do. Legally, many countries allow that sort of display because of the rights of free speech. So it seems that there is nothing he needs to do unless you break forum or legal rules.
So, yeah, it's an issue that needs to be addressed.
There is no point looking to Georgem for guidance on this issue. He's a coder, while this is an ideology issue that affects everyone on BCT and the internet.
Let's call it what it is....you waving that flag is a cancer. People have ignored you, but you're display has been the catalyst for a key member of the team leaving. Can he be replaced? Why should we even need to contemplate that.
We could all ignore you and that won't change anything. We could move to a self-moderated thread, but that just pushes the problem elsewhere and you become a headache for someone else. Going self-moderated is an easy and attractive option, but that's the problem with cancer, you ignore it and run away from it for so long until it grows beyond your ability to control it.
So we don't have a technical problem. We are confronted as a community with an ideology that is allowed to exist even if that ideology leads to tens of thousands of innocent people being killed or leaving their homes and causing unspeakable suffering and death. People in Paris and other parts of Europe live in daily fear of what might happen next.
So, yeah, it's an issue that needs to be addressed.
The main argument against doing something is that action against the flag only generates attention, attention which you seek. That's a fair point, but that's an argument that is made by people that don't have to live on a daily basis with this cancer threat. So, while that makes complete sense, Theymos has given you free reign to continue using your account, so we have to deal with this issue head on.
The evidence from those that have carried out acts of extreme violence in the name of religion is that it causes a sustained period of confrontation, but in the end it doesn't lead to anything. Islam was in the process of becoming an unstoppable religion and given enough time it would have taken over the world. Your flag has actually stopped that from happening. So if the goal was to dominate the world, then that flag is actually preventing that from happening.
So what your flag actually means is 'dominate now by violent means.'
What can be done?
* Negative feedback against your profile is a great option. Please everyone do that. But first, I will check if that is allowed as the trust rating system seems to be for transactions.
* Reporting every post to the mods, is an option but it will likely not lead to anything. Others in other threads have reported him, but he is still here.
* Putting you on ignore and asking everyone to counter post a standard message disapproving of you being allowed by the mods to keep that flag in your profile, is an option.
* While it pains me, I will be watching for the slightest hint for advocating violence. Those posts will go straight to the real police. Theymos may allow you to post, but he's ability to defend your freedom of speech does have limits that even he and other mods can't ignore.
* Moving to a self-moderated thread is the last resort, but it is an option if others from around the forum do not care to engage in trying to solve this issue. I'd rather sort this out here and now, but if we have to let someone else deal with the problem, then that is unfortunately the final option.
