Funny that among the people lamenting here are one or two who are long on insults and short on apologies. To me, that seems to be the thing that causes trouble, not the differences of opinion.

If anything, Mudcatters seem to appreciate people who have differing ideas than their own--it's the name-calling and abuse, which is often anonymous, as well as the poisonous private mails, some of which have apparently been frightening as well as just offensive.

I come here because I learn a lot of new songs. People seem genuinely happy to share lyrics and chord progressions, and I know that often they don't have them on hand, and yet they sit down put a half an hour or more into setting something down for a complete stranger.

That is so sweet that I makes me almost want to cry. I think that when people put that kind of effort in, and then get flamed, it doesn't matter if no one responds to the flame, the damage is done.

That damage is usually simple, no more chords or lyrics.