Staff had a lengthy discussion in regard to the ban. We do not take lightly punishing a player who is active on the forums and in the game. It's a whole lot less troubling when someone we don't know logs in and openly breaks rules and gets banned. None of the staff hate kitten. If you are one of kitten's friends, you are welcome to encourage another future appeal of the ban, but some time will need to pass and a purge will be required. I have no desire to harm kitten, but staff is charged with enforcing rules and protecting players who are harmed when the rules are broken. I partially agree that kitten's political ambitions don't play very well in the context of EMC, but that does not mean that rules don't apply when they do not fit the desired style of play. Kitten was warned more than a fair amount of times.
Thanks Just_Five for telling people staff don't have a grudge on me. In other news, the GR is still living on with Gollark8 and CooperCatCycling appointed as Interim First Presidents, both sharing the role.