I just want to mirror the sentiments of most of the other posters. I am very grateful for Mudcat and I wish I could contribute more. As my financial situation - which would currently bring tears to a glass eye - improves, I certainly will.
The comment about Mudcat being seen as a UK forum is something you could not have forseen in the early days Max. I take no offence at your comment, indeed, I read it more as, "We would welcome more Americans". That is the beauty of it though. People are welcome from everywhere. The UK Catters have the advantage of living within relatively short distances of each other. Inevitably, the word spreads faster there. If, say Max in California, Deckman in Washington, Don Meixner in New York and Jed Marum in Texas want to meet up for a lunch time pint and sing, you ain't going to get there on the number nine bus!
I have found some of the rudeness and spite tiresome at times, but I have been able to spot trouble coming and simply move on to other threads. The good has far outweighed the bad in my experience and I am deeply grateful to many in this community for their kindness, wisdom and generosity. My life has been much richer for it. I hope the same ultimately proves to be true for you Max.