Jon WE are all posters to the forum - WE are the public that Max invited to contribute. From that point on - it is all of US that create all the problems - like abusive personal attacks and responding in kind.

Is it Max's fault that we can't get along and up to him to sort out and rule on every squabble and try to ensure that folk don't see anything here that might offend them?

It is my view that the current 'system' of having some trusted volunteers who can now as a matter of routine impose their tastes upon others and who feel they have to edit in response to every minor concern - is only in the long-run - going to add to the problems this system is set up to address. The strength of the forum was always that everyone was encouraged to post on an equal basis. Is this not now thought to be important?

I am not really interested in apportioning blame for the harm the (largely well-intentioned) current 'system' is doing to our forum - just in trying - before it is too late - to ensure that The Mudcat Forum remains a special place - and does not become just another website - with threats and ever more petty restrictions and needless judgements being imposed.