I don't think this is the place to air out all the dirty laundry from the past two years, so I'll just say this: since the time I've joined the site (three years ago), I haven't seen a single ban that wasn't warranted, be it due to a single incident of flouting the site rules or a pattern of behavior.
It is true that the moderators are fairly strict regarding behavior that wouldn't be punished here (such as abusing flags to down vote), but I don't see that as a necessarily bad thing.
Regarding the thread you linked, I'll agree it was the admin's fault for writing the passive-aggressive banner that led to that (well-respected) user leaving.
It is true that the moderators are fairly strict regarding behavior that wouldn't be punished here (such as abusing flags to down vote), but I don't see that as a necessarily bad thing.
Regarding the thread you linked, I'll agree it was the admin's fault for writing the passive-aggressive banner that led to that (well-respected) user leaving.