So you are saying a judgement call on lifestyle and behaviour trumps achievements independant of such factors (eg cheating or knobbling of opponents etc).
This would seem to be a very slippery slope and very much in the eye of the beholder - eg next thing you will want to withdraw Einsteins Nobel prize because he was agnostic.
I say let achievements alone be the measure and decouple the private life of the individual concerned where not directly related to how the achievements were made.
It goes to whomever the mods feel deserves the distinction, under whatever rationale they decide, and it isn't up to popular vote.
Some parts of Hacker News are a black box and this is one of them. Decisions will be made that you don't agree with. It's probaby best to accept that and move on.
