I've always liked bbc's stance on using the term "BS" before a thread title ... "I don't use it because I don't consider what comes out of my mouth BS."

Because folk musicians have a history of being socially and politically active, there have always been threads of that type on the mudcat. There have been great debates and arguments heated to the point that some people left.

And, in fact, Art Thieme started the very first totally BS (for lack of a better word right now) on "condoms." It was done tongue-in-cheek to point out the banality of certain threads (this was about 3 years ago) but it started a trend.

I don't find all non-music threads offensive ... some are actually started in good fun. Unfortunately, some are started for the sole purpose of eliciting rancor among the troops. And, some are started for the sole purpose of hearing one's brains rattle.

Rick's analogy is spot on. The mudcat has become a community of people who have an interest in music ... some superficially and some intensely. Fortunately, this community is no different than any other community and one can pick and choose one's friends. And not everyone is going to love everyone else. It's never been my personal goal to be loved by everyone ... but those who do love me, I would trust with my life.

Rick is a prime example, along with Mick, of someone who, if the subject doesn't interest him or if he has a problem with it, largely ignores it ... a personality of which I'm envious. I'm different ... I stand and fight. Good or bad ... that's me and I'm not going to change. You may not like me ... but you will always know exactly where you stand with me. No deviousness or subterfuge, here.

I will now step down from the orator's box ...

moonchild