Thank you, Acme. The only issue I have with any of these is that everyone involved in a debate believes that they are following the rules as laid out and, because they do, they believe the other parties are breaking them. The other big problem that I see over and over again here is that there is no referee or umpire in the debates and no time limit so there is no real indication of anyone winning or losing arguments. Which is why they go round in circles until someone gives up. The other person or people then believe that they have won and continue in the same vein with every argument they are involved in! I would be the first to admit that I more than likely do the same in an effort to get 'the last word' but I am a novice compared to some other members who are absolute masters of it!

The answer? I don't know, sorry. Maybe a time limit or posting limit on such debates? Maybe an independent adjudicator to say who is right, who is wrong or whether a compromise is available? Their word being final! Maybe, as I indicated earlier, it does not matter. This is a folk music site and not particularly influential in any other field so these discussions are nothing more than a trivial diversion. Although there are times you would think otherwise :-)

Cheers

DtG