Bill D appears to be catching on. Yes Bill, we really are saying that Joe and the clones are abusing their power.

Some of us predicted this sort of petty tyranny and arbitrary censorship would be the outcome of Joe Offer and the clones being given authority to moderate the forum, when the Mudcat makeover was announced back in the day.

Max is a paranoid authoritarian type, and the acorn never falls far from the tree. Hence the Mudcat guard dogs being who and what they are.

The terms 'witch hunt' and 'McCarthyism' are certainly applicable here, both in the context Shambles has used it, and in the context that anon guest has used it. The obsession of the clones wanting to 'expose' anonymous/pseudonymous posters in this forum is reminiscent of the 'outing' of communists, gays, etc. The stalking of certain posters here, and the censorship of their posts/threads, is just plain creepy. Not because moderation of chat forums is creepy, but because of the obsessive/complusive way the process is shrouded in secrecy and surrounded by forum intrigues. Considering how little is truly at stake here, one can only put such behavior down to petty tyranny and arbitrary censorship.

And then there is the handful of members (just have a look at any Mudcat threads with the word "GUEST" in the title to see who the usual suspects are) who use this place as their retirement/shut-in clubhouse, and who foster a hysterical, xenophobic environment that keeps this dysfunctional game between the Mudcat ruling elite, the Mudcat royals, and "guests" going.

So yes, Bill D. It is fabulous to see you understanding that some of us are criticizing what we see as an abuse of power and authority here, which is far beyond the pale of reasonable forum moderation. It is just such petty and arbitrary action which fosters the paranoid, hysterical, xenophobic environment so many people perpetually complain about.

Please explain it to all your Mudcat friends now, won't you?