Damn Voat, it's not easy being a Goat herder.

After reading and reflecting on the feedback everyone provided concerning the bans (and it was a lot of information to process), I realize I've acted against Voat's principals. Voat is the last Wild Wild West website online. It always has been. If it wasn't for Free Speech and you guys telling me I'm a faggot, I wouldn't have seen this. This is the power of Free Speech in that only with it, can difficult problems be fixed.

Concerning Vote Manipulation Bans:

I'm reversing all recent vote manipulation bans. Voat has changed and thus our process needs changed. I will not be processing further vote manipulation bans until we talk about the process as a community.

Concerning The Downvote Disclosure:

I'm a piece of shit for doing this. I should have never even looked at the votes on that post, but my curiosity got the best of me. Posting about it was equally shitty. I can not provide any justification for my actions other than to admit they were wrong and amateurish and to promise if they ever happen again, I'll permaban myself as punishment. And OP will deliver.

Concerning Builders:

Many think that my endorsement of very specific acts, imply a full endorsement of the user as a whole. This isn't true. My intent was to highlight specific acts that stood out as courageous or constructive, not the user themselves. It didn't help that all three of these users are controversial in their own ways.

On Poetry:

I'll probably still continue posting poetry on Voat. The shit posts are just too funny.

As I look at this mess I've created, I realize that I should just stick to writing software and leave what is working alone. Sometimes lessons in life have to be learned a few times before they sink in and I believe this is one of them.