That is the question, all right.

The consensus custom on Current Events is that it's not a flame if the target is a public figure outside the Zone, notwithstanding that that's often a good way to start an internal flame as partisans rush to the target's defense. But the controversy would remain technically a nonflame if the defense remains directed outward.

So Bowser, who are you flaming? "An American conservative™" seems general and external, yet a lot of Zoners would consider themselves American conservatives. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to conclude that you intended to upset Zoners. Your post, Bowser, could fairly be called an ignition source placed in deliberate proximity to a source of fuel, a flame provocateur.

I know you have a hair trigger when it comes to the perception that you're being censored, so let me tell you that I've been mentally composing a thoughtful analysis of the question "Why are Republicans so corrupt?", and I know from the start that even though it's analytical and objective (there is an answer to the question; it's not rhetorical), it'll have to go on Flame because of the inevitable backlash. You and I didn't just fall off the turnip truck--we can accurately predict the effect of posts like that.

RL, I find it hard to imagine that you've become An American Conservative™, so why are you jumping on Bowser? You're not an offended party. Your post is entirely personal, and is clearly a flame.

No good guys here, only degrees of bad behavior. I won't preempt Frank n' Fox as moderators by doing anything with this thread, other than point out to you guys that you're headed off the rails and headed for moderator action. You might want to reconsider and tone it down now.