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.