May I just comment that I, as one who has ignored the drama and discussion of this thread, find it confusing whether these rules apply to all map spots, or just to colonies/moar pixels? That is to say, the OP is ambiguous about this.
You may wonder why I care. Let's just say I am considering.
Thanks for the advocacy @Auraria
Madaray posted a month ago, so a bit longer than myself. Myself, I am mostly frustrated that I am sitting here with my thumbs up my ass reading interesting events and not able to react to them. I understand that Salen and I were both told not to RP, but right now I feel like I'm going to receive my "yes" or "no" approval vis-a-vis the next map update, and not any guidance on how to alter my request or whether or not it's acceptable or how to reform it and the like. I haven't heard any negative feedback regarding my country aside from a "Is @Kadikistani Union ok with the political dynamic." Salen has heard lamentations on Discord about presence of Buddhism, and made changes by reforming Buddhism to be a neo-Buddhist revival akin to RL neo-Roman Romania or neo-Norse paganism and the like rather than an ancient, continuous variation of some historical real-world Buddhism.
Anyways, if it will be a "no" I'd prefer to just hear it now so I can figure something else out. If it is a "yes, but" then I'd like to hear what needs to be changed. All preferably before the next update.