completely agree @steevc flagging is a tricky touchy subject. The instant reaction is to retaliate as there is an attack on your freedom on Steemit.
I don't agree with downvoting at all, as it allows a type of censorship, and ends with a war of flagging which in turn becomes just as vicious circle and there are no winners, just wasted time, energy and a lot of ill will towards Steemit. Ill will towards Steemit is not good, when people a p!ssed they tend to tell more people....
I think there are legitimate uses for flagging. We need it to deal with spam and abuse as we don't want that here. There's no central moderation, so users have to do it
yea that's one reason I am hesitant, but if done right no 'normal' poster should get flagged