My "Appeal"

[nunccoepi]

Wait, what?  I thought it went to the appeals team, not back to HO.  The whole point of an appeals team is to prevent having to deal with emotional inertia of the original decision-makers who, separate from unconscious bias, have demonstrated either an unwillingness or inability to handle this decision responsibly.  Because whether or not the decision to not contact me was intentional (sources conflict on that), it is undeniable that my side of the story was not even casually sought prior to making a decision.

I think it goes to the appeals board who makes a recommendation to HO regarding their original decision. Then HO makes the decision to repeal or replace the punishment.