CarolC - I agree that some parties here have degenerated to name calling and agree that this is purile behaviour best left in the playground. It certainly doesn't put Mudcat in a good light if posters think it part of reasonable debate.

However, I can understand the frustration that quite a few people feel when attempting to enter into discussions with WAV. WAV simply does not discuss or enter into exchanges of ideas. He simply and persistently promotes his rather narrow viewpoints (IMO) and refutes any statements he sees as being contrary to his. If you have looked at the various threads WAV has started or posted to, you will see he has a specific agenda that has nothing to do with rational argument and debate and everything to do with self promotion.

While I'm with that American feller and believe that people should be able to express their opinions whether I agree with them or not, WAV insists on 'flag waving' and even appears to take a martyrish satisfaction at people taking pot shots at him. So I'm less inclined to be all that sympathetic towards him when people do exactly that.

I do think that people should not get into abusive slanging matches though. Apart from being just plain bad behaviour, it's fairly obvious that WAV will not 'give' on many points of discussion. Best leave him to his opinions in these cases, I say. Attempting to 'win' an argument with him will acheive nothing and will merely fuel his martyr complex.

I have been following this and another thread in the hope that interesting discussions would occurr - and they have. But I must say that I think they have occurred inspite of WAV and not because of his contributions.