It's not a rule, Kendall. It's just something I once suggested to make it easier for us folk fogeys to skip over a few threads we simply didn't have time to investigate for "folk music" content. I find that I often scan through "BS" threads rather quickly now, but I don't ignore them completely, because I do enjoy reading some of the exchanges of ideas and concerns. Let's remember, even if we're sometimes disappointed in it, that the Mudcat is a virtual community of folk music enthusiasts and the "BS" threads actually serve to give it a human, rather than a purely academic nature.

Art: I've been a bit worried about you, and intended to write a personal e-pistle when things settled down here a bit. I'd hoped you would be able to make it to the Gerry Armstrong Memorial Concert on October 31st, although I knew it would be a tough trip for you. I'm glad we were able to participate, but we all missed you there.

Sandy