We have a policy of not publicly discussing the specifics of discipline on here, and there's no reason to change that policy. Sadly, this is one of those times the staff can't really defend itself, even though its warranted. For those who are interested, though, there's a long public record in the Current Events forum that folks can review on their own.
I'll be sad to see Brick go, but in the end, its his choice. Our decisions related to this site (in the Current Events forum and elsewhere) come down to one thing: we have rules here, and nobody -- including long-standing, respected members -- are above those rules. Unfortunately, the staff is required to enforce those rules, and we can only bend over backwards to save posters from themselves so many times. Eventually, we're required to take actions that we don't like to take, and that's unfortunate.
As always, it sucks anytime a member -- long-term or otherwise -- leaves, but that's a fact of life in an internet community. Brick will be missed, and he's welcome to reconsider any time that he'd like.