"Personally, I think that if those that are "thin skinned" and take things too seriously can "lighten up"..."

Agreed!!

"...those that are the most strident nit-pickers and complainers can just as easily either back off or hold their tongues (uh, keyboards)".

Why??

If you're not 'strident' your opinions are ignored and those who believe that 'all music is folk music' will get their way and our preferred musical form will become just another bland, dumb form of pop/rock. The best form of defence is attack!!