Regarding all these, there is one thing that concerns me the most.
After such a long time that we are witnessing this (as it didn't start just a day or two before) are the #whales and #developers of this platform so powerless to stop that once for all, or they simply don't care?!
I know there are a lot of people with a lot of power discussing this, the big issue is the platform is decentralised - we need to find a solution we can use again if the situation arises again, and be sure we can fairly deal with these types of situations.
So far flagging is helping his rep is falling and every flag he gets it drops a little further, yesterday he was in the mid 60's I believe he is now at 55 - he keeps spreading the hate it wont be long before everything he ever says or does, is hidden from the world and we don't have to pay him the attention he clearly desires.
I was about to ask same question !
There is no way for a quick action for such situations, because if not that will make the whole platform a promising place for reveng and bulling !
I can agree with you that it's not possible to react to every single such thing with some sort of penalties for all the reasons you've mentioned if nothing else because every coin has two sides.
But isn't it, on the other hand, exact revenge, and bullying we want to avoid, especially as this is not an isolated case or even more, knowing that it lasts for several months by now?!
If you don't mind, please, take a look at my above comment as I believe it might better clarify to you why I'm asking this.