As I think the vast majority of us have said several times, we have no objection to RUS as one of many sources for songs.

But quite a few of us, including me, believe it should always be left at home. Main reason: it's just too tempting for somebody who has made no effort whatsoever to learn a song to "call one". If there were no RUS at "sings", everybody would have a powerful incentive to actually learn songs----and experience the joy that comes of doing so.

I'm sure people in the Sacramento song circle and other groups that are now addicted to RUS are every bit as intelligent and have every bit as much passion for music as folkies do elsewhere--all it takes is a bit of incentive---making learning songs a priority. And the more you do it, the easier it becomes.

You don't even have to necessarily start with" real folk"--I bet the Sacramento group already knows quite a few songs by heart--just by dint of repetition--if they would only just try to wean themselves off THE BOOK. I can't recall exactly who was there--but one of best times at last year's Getaway, as far as I'm concerned-- (admittedly one of quite a few good sessions)-- was when a bunch of us just stood around in the dining hall and sang Everly Brothers, doo-wop, "You Belong To Me" (led by Elizabeth LaPrelle), etc., for an hour or so. We did it all by institutional memory--you might be surprised at the variety of songs folkies are hard-wired to sing.

It would also have the added benefit of attracting back the better singers--who are both bored and frustrated by a RUS session.

Otherwise, "open sings" are likely to become " closed sings"--with people inviting to their houses only those who are guaranteed not to use THE BOOK. This is definitely an undesirable development----and it's already happening.