Shambles/Roger, I haven't been here at Mudcat very long, and I was just getting to know you. I've seen you around Usenet and have always respected your gentlemanly words. I'm sorry you find it too uncomfortable to remain here (for now, I hope) because I'll miss you and your voice of calm reason and conscience. I'm sorry that the the friendships you've made and the fun you've had don't outweigh the negativity.

Perhaps some of us (yeah, me too) are guilty of being a bit defensive when it comes to Mudcat. It's a wonderful place, but I think we want to see it as perfect. When someone says something negative, we sometimes see it as a threat rather than constructive criticism. We jump right in and to defend our "homeland" and ideals instead of allowing the critics to help us make it better. We take sides. We make mountains out of molehills.

Jeri