I understand that, but I mean whatever might have been said before it degenerated into chaos. Taking your example of oil reserves in Iraq, there could have been good debate bringing up good points before it turned nasty. So if the thread were moved to another forum, you wouldn't be able to find the thread in a search in the relevant forum. Things could get lost that way.
The only reason to move the thread but not lock it would be to allow the flame war to continue. As you say, nothing useful will result from this, so it would've been better to merely lock the thread and leave it where it was.
The only reason to move the thread but not lock it would be to allow the flame war to continue. As you say, nothing useful will result from this, so it would've been better to merely lock the thread and leave it where it was.