Bruce will probably not be returning here; I think he was angry and hurt to be told that he did not belong here because of his political stands, and that no one on that thread answered to support his right to be a part of mudcat, and by implication, the traditional music world. Bruce enjoys a good argument; believe it or not, he is even willing to be proved wrong on occasion, but he respects his opponents and expects the same in return. I am not surprised that he annoys people; he drives me crazy sometimes too, (and I often disagree with him politically,) but I love him and I am proud that he is my younger brother.

Bruce has spent decades supporting the musical traditions that we cherish, and the people who help them to continue, in a myriad of ways large and small, often quietly and with no recognition. He is the most generous human being I know, often to the cost of his own comfort and welfare, towards people he meets in the many parts of his busy life, and you could not have a more loyal friend. It is disgraceful to make anyone unwelcome here because his or her political views do not match yours, naive to believe everyone who is interested in traditional music is on the left politically, and sad that my brother no longer feels welcome here.

Carly Gewirz