I am an old Mudcatter who comes back from time to time so I am intrested in this thread and join in as a guest I for one dropped out of discussions when they became vehicles for people to push them selfs,their bands or their clubs this site used to be about discussing and loving music.
In the middle of a thread somebody posts and we then have someone replying with how are you,saw you last saturday you have suddenly gained lost weight got ugly etc.
Some people have decided that they know everything and even when told by more than one person the truth still push their believe down everyones throat because they know better. A long time ago discussion took place about splitting mudcat into two american and uk we made the descision then not to and we where the better for it until recently. You talk of missing americans there are other people from other countries missing also.
Before your fingers start hitting buttons let your brains think (if you have any) and discuss not ram your views down my throat and maybe people will start coming back