Well, I think the charge of libel is a little overwrought, but perhaps weelittledrummer could be a little friendlier in tone. Al, put little smiley faces or something in your posts or something, so people don't keep wanting to challenge you to duel.

It is a sticky problem. I think it's wonderful that people like Fred can make music available to us - and it's music I wouldn't be likely to hear or buy here in California. On the other hand, I'd like to see it possible for people like Al to make a living.

Anyhow, would everybody please be nice to each other, and realize that we're most likely all on the same side on this and shouldn't fight? I get this picture of two balding, overweight folkies, affixing bayonets to their guitars. Then they stand back-to-back and pace off the required twenty paces, turn; and then charge forward, wheezing and stumbling. This is not a pretty sight. Much better to be peaceable about all this. At our age, there's no way to carry on a duel and retain one's dignity - what little is left of it.

-Joe-