I would back up my claims with evidence other than my stated observations if HN software wasn't so opaque. And anyway, the burden of proof falls upon the party

I would back up my claims with evidence other than my stated observations if HN software wasn't so opaque. And anyway, the burden of proof falls upon the party with the pertinent pattern of the acts which they are being accused of. HN often slowbans folks who don't toe the line (michaelochurch, larrys, rayiner (rayiner was rankbanned precisely because of disagreeing with pg on the immigration issue), etc., as well as manipulates ranking of comments to put YC-funded startups in a positive light. Considering all of this, I'm fine making the accusation, YC-staff has to defend this with solid evidence. Anyway, to be clear, I'm not accusing pg, or really anyone particular of doing anything -- I'm saying HN mods (whoever they may be) are behind this story falling off from #1 to not being on the frontpage in a matter of a minute.