Comment 84 for bug 415023

My 'workaround' is to set the brightness level in 'System-Preferences-Power Management' to '0 %'.
I also have turned off all options in there for Dimming the display or reducing brightness.
This stops the flashing at startup, or when coming out of suspend.

Then add the 'brightness applet' to the panel, and adjust the brightness level with this.
If you use the brightness applet to adjust the brightness level, it does not do the flashing thing.

However.....
I don't really think that this 'workaround' is an acceptable solution for the average user.
If an average user installs the system and it starts flashing crazily at them, that is a bad impression, and not one that encourages them to keep using the operating system.....