Spaw (et al.)--nobody ever said Mudcatters were a bunch of worthless idiots. (Sorry for not using the colorful language you prefer. I trust you can still understand me.)

Au contraire, Jan and I agree that Mudcatters are very intelligent, articulate people.

Jan's point, as somehow I suspect you know, is that with all this talent it is a real shame so much time and effort is wasted by such talented people in largely doing nothing but fighting with each other here below the line.

She is convinced that if all this talent and time were harnessed (in the US at least) in at least signing and writing petitions, and writing to the President, Senators and Congressmen on any of the many issues which need addressing--which is how she spends a good portion of her hours aside from her 10 to 12 hour/ day job-- there is a chance some progress could be made. She is frustrated beyond belief that she can't do more than the above and giving money to these causes--she would like to be in the forefront of any number of demonstrations on issues on which she feels strongly--which are legion.   I find it hard to restrain her--she's a force of nature--despite telling her that as a non-citizen, she would be summarily deported if caught in a street demonstration.

It will also possibly be difficult for her to go through the process of becoming a citizen, due to health issues I will not go into right now--but if you PM me I will tell you.

I warned her before she started this thread that it would not be smooth sailing.

Classic straw man, though--congratulations.