In my short time here this is the second (or possibly third) time this thread has come up in one form or another. If the day comes when I cease to enjoy Mudcat I will go quietly and fussless, as I suspect all of us have left something during our lives. Such an act is voluntary, we don't pay to join, we don't get paid, it's meant to be FUN and I enjoy the place. Some non-music threads are fascinating and illuminating, a few posts are inspired and inspiring. The toothpaste thread I can do without and so I haven't bothered reading it, no matter, if someone else enjoys it, fine. I have also had some lovely debates with other 'catters and found some words I was after, it's been FUN.

I belong to another list which recently went through a bout of bad feeling and in some cases quite abusive posts. Some people left but quite quickly it has all settled down and gone back to being friendly and informative. I suspect it's the nature of the beast.

Leave if you wish to but do not throw the baby out with the bathwater! There is no obligation to read every thread (life's too short and I've got some new tunes to learn) enjoy the bits that interest you but don't try and control veryone else with a mass guilt- trip.

All the best

Steve