Tom,
From a safety point of view I see no reason not to use a starter. I think RE concern is that you might Hydro lock the motor and bend something in the engine. If you flip the prop over at least two revolutions by hand you have verified you don't have a cly loaded with fuel and can hydro lock the engine.
I have had hydro locked 2 stoke engines and I have never bent anything with the starter but there is always a first time.
I read some where that on a 4 stroke engine if you are hydro locked turn the engine over backwards this opens the exhaust valve and allows the fluid to exit via the exhaust port.
Sparky