I can see both sides here. A 'members only club' could mean that fewer new people come into the BS area and I think that would be counter-productive. However, restricting BS as Joe has suggested might just cut down the number of flame wars and areas of real contention and even allow for real troublemakers to be prevented from coming in, if enough complaint was made about them.

From a purely personal point of view I get pissed off with finding that an interesting thread has been taken over by those who wish to stir up trouble and those who cannot resist reacting. I, personally, come in to the forum to find out more about the people and subjects that come up, not to plough my way through the outpourings of over inflated egos and testosterone poisoning.

I have been personally attacked on a number of occasions but have chosen to deal with the matter through PMs or by ignoring it completely. I cannot see the point in perpetuating personal attacks just because someone wants to bruise my ego.

There are times, and I'm sure that I'm not alone, when certain posters seem to be using the forum to pursue their own personal gripes and that irritates me to the point where my fingers itch to tell them to go forth and multiply. I choose not to do that these days as I do not feel that it adds anything to the discussion. Most of the time I just don't bother with that thread again or I'll scroll down past that post.

Anyway - I can't give a definitive opinion here - the question is too involved for that to happen - all I hope is that this squabbling doesn't get Max to a point where he decides that the 'Cat, or the BS section, is more trouble than it's worth. That really would be a bummer as far as I'm concerned - and yes - I do have a life outside of this forum, but it is enhanced by the forum and the friends I have made here.