If the answer to the question has been repeated, perhaps it is time for someone like Max to make a decision. Is he happy with the response to the question?   A note to the individual stating that the policy will not change. If it keeps up, a warning is issued. If it continues, the person is blocked.

We agree that Max certainly can block who he wishes. Perhaps you will accept that he can also un-appoint any 'moderator' he wishes? Or perhaps he feels that he can't?

But why would posing a question for discussion on a discussion forum ever be judged grounds for blocking a poster – when such posts can be so easily just be ignored? It may be judged to be boring, irritating or whatever, for some posters to see the same or similar questions - but if being boring or irritating were judged grounds for blocking a poster - would there be any posters left?

But seeing a question on the many different aspects of this subject which may be judged to be boring or irritating to some regular posters - will be news to others. Who may well be able to bring and add a fresh view to the issue. If they can find a thread on the subject that has not be closed, littered with posts containing spam, recipes, personal judgements and many other 'fun' things designed and encouraged to divert and prevent discussion of the thread's subject.

They will have no such difficulty in finding a thread open in which to place uncritical praise for the efforts of our 'moderators'. Which you will NOT find to be intentionally littered with spam - by the current Chief of the Mudcat Editing Team. Nor containing recipes, personal judgements and many other 'fun' things designed and encouraged to divert and prevent reasonable discussion of that thread's subject.

For example: Mudcat's tenth birthday You will even find that such threads are allowed to remain on the music-related section of our forum.

That said – the so-called 'moderation' of our forum IS largely well-intentioned. I suggest that should it continue - it needs to be seen to undertaken fairly and openly by those who are seen to share Max's commitment to the open invitation for the public's contributions.