monkeyshine, A+Bert is presently banned and has vowed never again to return to FR, so sick is he of the ill-treatment. Bad example.
You'll find him posting at FRU Reunion (http://www.delphi.com/Reunionx1) and/or Original Dissent (http://www.originaldissent.com).
He and I went at it over and over. I still have email from him that are vulgar and childish. But despite all that he came back again and again. And I liked the guy, even though we went at it. How many chances was he given vs the rest of the banned freepers? That is my point about A+Bert. As for the rest of the banned freepers, I can't say if they even ever tried. Maybe it's kind of like "Fight Club". Maybe you have to stand on the porch for 3 days in order to get in. I don't know. Some are willing to do it, others are going to stick to their pride.
I don't know you but I do know your name from my lurker days. You still have some respect around here from what I can tell. As I said, everyone has a different threshold for how much pride they are willing to swallow. I guess ole 'Bert has met his threshold. Everyone knows by now pretty much what is expected. A nearly universal clemency has been granted. It's up to those who want to come back to take the opportunity or not, knowing what it entails.