Iggy, I don't know if I would be considered an "old timer" or not, but I found Mudcat about a year later than Rick so I suppose I'm close.

I've seen and read similar threads to this one every since I came aboard. I think they serve a useful purpose, if for no other reason than getting the juices going.

I have no problem with the number of BS threads, because I just don't open those that don't interest me. I enjoy reading the music threads, though I can contribute little to them.

The only negative factor to me that has always been a part of the Mudcat, at least since I have been visiting, is the GUEST factor. The guest that is contributing so much garbage to this thread is an excellent example of what I mean. He/she jumps into the thread swinging. It matters not how long guest has been coming to the Mudcat, I suspect his/her contribution has always been about the same. Attack, attack, attack! As others have pointed out, guest gets his/her jollies from reading the replies resulting from the attacks. I think we will never learn not to reply to such posts. They are designed to inflame, and they do. Response is the natural thing to do. This particular guest is so full of him/herself, though, it's ridiculous. Talk about elitist. Ever heard of folk music referred to as elitist? Most folks refer to the music medium I was involved in for so many years as being the epitome of elitism ...classical music ...not folk music.

I love the Mudcat. I have made some good friends since I have been here, and some of my posts have probably created some enemies because of my political views. I'll keep coming back, though, because I enjoy the atmosphere of this place. I couldn't get on the past couple of days, and missed the old place.

DougR