Seamus - you should also have learned that nothing stops the music, whatever happens!

I think the balance between UK and US subjects is pretty good - the US contingent may have to put up with lots of UK based performance threads, but the UK have had to put up with myriad US political threads too... so it evens out. I do however object to Guest.e's use of the phrase "UK poofters"... both racist and homophobist in two words. I'd object whatever nation was indicated, not just because I'm British.

And yes, KatLaughing; with such a small but highly populated island, we do meet up far more often than perhaps those in the US might. I wouldn't quite say 'incestuous' but there is often a faint sound of duelling banjos in the distance at some gatherings! :D It is perhaps that closeness that brings personal feelings, preferences and arguments to the fore in UK orientated threads. What spills out into the threads and on the forum is really only the tip of the iceberg and is often generated by actual behaviour of an individual at a festival or in their private life. Often you only get to hear one side or a warped version of the story, an opinion is formed and nothing anyone can say will change it. When you get individuals, whether named or Guests, fighting it out and washing dirty linen on a public forum, then the best thing you can do is just keep out of the argument and stop feeding the trolls. We're all guilty of having done just the opposite, I'm sure....

I suspect most people forget that this site started as a private venture, not a huge big multi-corporational mega-sponsored moneymaker - I know I do.

Thank you, Max. Sometimes I wonder if you have any idea at all of the impact you have made on our lives.

LTS