Well, put and, Traddles, I think you are right. There is a community of regulars here but it seems to be open to anyone who takes the time to post. THose who do are usually thoughtful and polite, you're right. I enjoy seeing people disagree articulately and politely. THere is a lot of that going on around here. Even people who at the pbeginning, when they first arrive and don't know this, often get "acculturated". Soon, their disagreements are stated with consideration and they are answered that way. Everybody wins. This fluid camraderie seems to drive some people up the wall but there is a lot in mythology about this troublesome kind of reaction. I guess it is a part of human nature.

I noticed a funny reaction on my part to some of the troublesome threads. I actually started not to care all that much about the argument. At first, it was interesting to see the arguments laid out, then it became worrisome because I was afraid that newcomers would think those threads represented Mudcat. I've stopped worrying. You can't protect all lookers in and Mudcat is strong enough to not just survive but to prosper. I suspect there are more music threads today than ever (someone did a recent count and it supported this idea) although they have been diluted by other BS type of threads because the overall number of threads has gone up so much - I figure by fifty percent in the past year or so. I've learned a lot from some of those.

I have pretty much stopped visiting other sites. I've decided that when I want information or I want to socialize on line, there is a ver nice group of people reachable here. I agree with you, I hink this place is quite special. It brings the best out of many.

Sourdough