Gaughan, I understand your well-made points regarding the flash-in-the-pan trolls who may drop in, fire off a flame, and leave if ignored. The primary problem in the forum here is, and has been, an individual who has long participated in the Mudcat, and with whom most of us are familiar. His jibes and personal attacks in support of his own agenda for the Mudcat have become more and more vitriolic, and they increase when he feels he has any support.

As a result, posters have lost a lot of the open and straight-forward feeling that characterized this forum not too long ago. Many of us can "take it on the chin" and go on with the battle, but few come here looking for a fight. When I scan the threads, I see a lot of song, music and instrument-related threads. I don't see much of the pure magic of genuine thought, humor and creativity that was amazingly typical of this forum, though. Those things require risk taking, and a tolerant environment that has been steadily eroding. Perhaps some welcome this change with open arms ... but even they must find the tactics used to achieve it somewhat degrading.