Matthew has it entirely within his power to to grant "mercy to banned users." But, to my knowledge, he hasn't.  So it has meandered along meaninglessly for ages, yet still occupies a top spot on the CI discussion depth chart.  Of course, several of these banned individuals have probably re-inserted themselves with new accounts and different user names.  

While Matthew did not mention it, during the course of this thread, ggreg resumed posting.  As I recall, he is banned user.  (He has always used that same name.)  I would not be surprised if there were some connection to this thread. Perhaps it inspired ggreg to ask permission to resume posting here.

I must say I am surprised that ggreg wants to post here, given his many disparaging comments elsewhere about this forum and the Resistance.

Some threads are better off getting derailed.  This thread seemed to have been started for the purpose of pressuring and/or criticizing Matthew.  

In general, the people whom he bans have been disrupting the forum.  How is it "mercy" to arbitrarily allow them back? I'm pretty sure that any banned poster who wants a second chance and is willing to change the behaviour that got him banned can contact Matthew and ask for this.  It would actually be mercy to allow them back. Why should Matthew, merely because of the date, invite back problematic posters who are likely to continue being problematic?

Way back near the beginning of this thread Matthew made it clear that he was not going to act on the unreasonable demand of the original topic.  The thread was effectively over then. Of course, it has meandered all over the place since then. 

Greg, before you disappear again:

https://www.cathinfo.com/catholic-living-in-the-modern-world/thread4greg-an-englishman's-perspective-on-russian-perspective/

One or two calls to 911 will put an end to that.