Alex, I believe they leave loudly because Mudcat was special to them, and they've become disillusioned. Folk can just wander off and not feel bitter if they never felt connected here. People who are bitter are bitter because they feel hurt. Likewise the people who get so upset and defensive when anyone complains do so because they identify with the forum.

There are two extreme ways to view the forum. You can look at it as a bunch of people you can influence to do what you want, or you can see it as a force of nature that's beyond anyone's control. The truth is somewhere in between. You can sometimes get some people to agree with what you're saying, but it's a fantasy to think everyone will. It's a fantasy to believe any one person can determine which direction the forum goes.

Mudcat just rolls like a great big river, and you can go along for the ride or get out on the shore. Just don't try to get the river to go where you want, or you're apt to get very frustrated.