No one can say that the issues and possibilities relating to this topic have not been aired. It seems to me that it has polarized a small number of posters to the point of intransigence.
The way the topic has evolved demonstrates to me the weakness of committees in making decisions. Simon made the site transformation within a few hours to the approval of the majority of users after a unilateral decision. Had he included the country flags in this iteration of the site architecture there may have been some grumbles but they would have been lost in the overall praise deserved.
It seems to me that this issue has assumed an importance way out of balance with the overall picture. It is time for Simon to weigh up the arguments and make his decision. I for one will back him either way, he is the site owner and the sole adjudicator.