B. Even if he does live in the UAE, who really cares? He wasn't even the most convincing, persuasive person-far from on it-on this subject, which is saying something if he actually does live and work in that country.
C. Whether or not he was rightfully banned-and this is an open and shut case, IMO-the idea that he made an immeasurable, irreplaceable contribution to this website is utterly absurd. There are people-some of whom are personal friends-who have been permanently expelled, suspended for an extended duration, or felt compelled to leave-for much lesser sins than him, each one at the very least ten times more worthy of consideration than this individual. Simply because his offenses weren't quite as egregious as those of some FR's most notorious users-and again, I still think they were pretty heinous-does not mean that he merits consideration. Even the people who agreed with him probably don't feel that his situation is comparable to that of other genuinely thoughtful users who were exiled from this website.
If that's the test [irreplaceable contribution], color all of us toast.
Not that any of us can be perfectly replicated as far as contributions go, but nobody here (or anywehre else in life) is irreplaceable as cogiator.
As for the rest of your post, I agree. "Who cares?" The fellow can come back or not, under a new handle if necessary. All of the ramifictions and baggage of being kicked are in play.
I don't know whether he lives in the UAE or not. That's not what's important to me. Matter of fact, I don't know he even said he lived in the UAE, he may have. I do know there was one poster on the pro side who stated they were in the UAE but I can't say it was definitely him and since I can't search for his posts now, I can't check it out. Again, though that's not why I asked for reconsideration.
You know, you say he wasn't the most convincing, persuasive person - blah, blah, blah which is fine. The thing is, I don't consider myself to be one of those either. I'm simply a run of the mill poster who loves my access to FR. I would hope someone would stick up for me in the event of a misunderstanding even though I'm not one of the "important" people.
What I find interesting is the people on this thread who are expressing sentiments such as yours about this being an open and shut case are the one's in disagreement with his position on this particular issue. If the shoe had been on the other foot and you had been the one to make the mistake (and that's what I see it as) I would have asked Jim to reconsider for you. When I see something which I honestly view as a misunderstanding I'll stand up for that poster regardless of whether I agree with their position on a particular issue of not. I prefer not to vanquish those on the opposing side by banning.
I regret you have personal friends who have been permanently expelled. Hopefully it wasn't due to a misunderstanding.
Why the hell did you ping me to that post?
I'm not remotely interested in your opinion of the posters here.