I often wonder whether it is having too much time on ones hands is the problem. Or whether events radicalise mudcat members.

Let me pick someone at random.

Keith (hi Keith we haven't talked before) for instance used to be really polite and quiet. Didn't really engage in politics overtly and mostly posted on music subjects. Occasional comments on Ireland (but pretty muted) and occasional worried that someone was coming to bomb us all to oblivion. But generally not. Even 9/11 elicited only a one line post of sympathy.

What changed thing dramatically seems to be the 7th July 2005 bombing in London which seems to be a turning point that has made mild mannered Keith posting about one post every couple of days pre July 2005 into the quite radicalised/obsessed person who averages 11.50 posts per day now and very rarely mentions music at all.

It often strikes me as amazing that we worry about the radicalisation and change that occurs in others without noticing the circumstances that have changed ourselves.

Or perhaps you have retired from teaching and the TA (51 in 2001 if I remember from your post) now and have more time on your hand to reflect on the terrifying world we find ourselves in. Or perhaps that it reinforced your view of all the people out there who 'happily slaughter your loved ones'

If the thread keeps going I might chat about my visit to Ireland a few years ago and the huge jolt it gave to a conservatively brought up bloke who lived in London in the 70's and caused me to question pretty much everything that I believed to be true but had never really thought about.

Because I'm always happy to converse with people regardless of their views.

Even if they are wankers.