" Whatever the cause, people cannot turn themselves into martyrs."

Lets not debate semantics. I think you know why I used the word "martyr". You come across as if you are being made an example of and suffering unjustly. All you have done is prove what many of us have said all along - this is NOT a public forum and you are not having your freedoms taken away.

Your posts have been abusive. No you do not "judge anothers worth" by using insults, but your barrage of postings have done you in. You were warned, but you continued. Now you are the unwanted guest at a party. Someone with dignity probably would leave, but your stance has shown just what your plans have been all along. A private forum like Mudcat does not tolerate your kind of behavior.   Your points, and they were good ones, became lost in your methods.   As I've said to you before, you are your own worst enemy. You cannot use Max, the clones, or anyone else as a scapegoat. You asked for Max to make a statment, he did. Now you need to come to terms with the reality. The host has shown how the party is to be conducted.   Do the right thing Shambles, stop. Leave with some dignity.

While I don't agree with everything that has gone on here, I do applaud Max's attempt to improve and I respect his right to set the rules. Mistakes of the past are unavoidable and we can only learn from them. I hope he can do the right thing going forward. I want to enjoy Mudcat the way I did 7 years ago. ALL of the threads have been victimized by the recent troubles. I hope it can improve.

Do we want a "country club"?   For a long time I thought that was the last thing we wanted.   I think the term brings up images that really are not based in fact. Having Mudcat as a private members only forum would not ruin anything.   Besides, if it became a problem, it can always be changed back. Nothing is forever. Even Shambles.