My take on this is somewhat different. I view mudcat kinda like my local Pub. Many of my friends are there each with a different subject going on at their table. I can join or avoid any of the discussions I'd like to because my friends are not the jealous type and although I'm welcome at their table, no one's mad if I don't join them.

The events of September 11th have thrown us for quite a loop around here as it has across the country. We are all dealing as best we can. Yeah, more tables around the Pub are discussing the tragedy and may still for quite a while, but there are still plenty of tables with other conversations and the best part, at Mudcat, there are ALWAYS empty tables for you to sit down, start a discussion, and see who shows up. So Mudcat is what you make of it, no more, no less.......

Frank