So sad and so laughable that apparently no one sees the bigger picture.

(a) It's an internet forum. Period. People that rely on this place as their sole connection with the real world, need to seek professional help for their obvious psychoseez, NOW!

(b) In the end none of our opinions matter a rats ass, about how and what we'd like the forum to be. All suggestions and attempts to manipulate change in how WE want the forum to be, are totally irrelevant. Get over it now, and stop repeating these types of threads; threads that attack guests; threads where guests attack members, etc.etc. that are repeated and rehashed every few months.

With a flick of his magic wand (if he so chooses) this place could be focussed and moderated. Make no mistake, the way it is, IS QUITE DELIBERATE. Again get over it, accept it, or leave. You will NOT change anything with your rants.

(c) Joe Offer (unfortunately because of the puppet master) acts like a boxer in a ring, forced to fight with his legs in shackles, and one arm tied behind his back. This is also for the amusement of the puppet master and quite deliberate. Accept no other excuses.

(d) The puppet master is definitely having the last laugh on all of you. He enjoys the anarchy, especially the anarchy created by allowing non-members to post and ALL the ensuing threads complaining of such which continously recylce like a sewage plant processing water. AGAIN - Get over it now. IT'S ALL VERY INTENTIONAL AND PART OF AMUSING THE PUPPET MASTER.

This is the only internet forum I know of that allows non members to post. And it for that reason (and the anarchy this creates) that this place was never able to attract serious funding from commercial sources; and in attracting AND KEEPING new, serious musical contributors. (I have tried to interest at least half a dozen serious contributors who's musical knowledge rivals those of such respected members as Dale Rose, M. Ted, Gargoyle (yes Gargoyle!) and a few others here. They took a look around and said "no thanks.")

The fact that " A MAGAZINE DEDICATED TO FOLK AND BLUES MUSIC" is no longer part of the Mudcat logo, should cure all detractors of their whining about wanting to make this place more focussed. Get over it and get a life. Again, INTENTIONAL AND DELIBERATE.

THIS IS ONE BIG AQUARIUM TO ITS OWNER - nothing more.
Perhaps it was once upon a time, until power corrupted absolutely.

(e) The Puppet Master has absolutely no class. He does not personally acknowledge nor thank individual financial contributors on a personal level. Therefore since he had a manners-bypass somewhere along the way, why should anyone contribute a dime to this gold fish bowl?
This is has got to be the largest dysfunctional "family" I've ever seen in my life. Sad that there's no one willing to step up to the plate and cure it. Again, intentional and deliberate.

(f) Shambles has contributed a helluva lot more musically to this place than the member-troll who began this thread. For someone who works in tech-support he sure is useless at sharing detailed information here, about various tech problems that occur to members (but real good about whining about his love life and his depression.) Fortunately though we have John in Kansas. Anyone thanked you lately John? I THANK YOU!

(g) If this place was moderated, and membership was required to post along with posted IP addresses accompanying each post, you would not have to engage supposition to figure out who's who behind "guest" postings whether civil and maligned. I don't buy any of the arguments in favour of GUESTS being allowed to post. It's complete and utter bullshit. There are good cookies and bad cookies.

(h) Think very carefully and plan what you would do, if this place went down permanently tomorrow...because it will at some point, when the hassles outweight the amusement, for the puppet master.

Those of you with severe internet psychosis should start planning where you'll get your forum fix, as well as your identity and online sense of belonging and importance.

RANT OFF.