Well, Guest, despite your brilliant analysis to the contrary, I actually have given this a great deal of thought. I have, in fact, come to the conclusion that many are compulsive posters. Some of these are people that I think a great deal of, so I just don't go into threads that look to me to be not productive for me. I didn't just dismiss Dale Rose, I offered an observation that he has been around long enough to understand that he should just stay with threads that have no interest to him. The fatal flaw in your campaign is that you seek to make the Mudcat into what you want it to be. Instead, IMHO, you need to accept it for what it is, and then make a value judgement as to its worth to you. If it doesn't suit your needs, then you should seek out a place that does. And to those that choose to do that, bless you. But spare us the parting "I'm outta here" comments. In my opinion, those are self serving sound bites designed to elicit sympathy (in one case that happened), or to massage some kind of "I showed them" need. It is easy. If you don't like WHAT IT IS, then seek out a place that you feel better in. The nice thing about this place is that you can contribute in any way that you choose.

A couple of more observations/comments, nameless one. I am truly sorry that you find me smug. Were you and I to meet, you would find that is not the case. If you have taken offense at the tone of some of my posts then please accept my sincerest apologies. With regard to your comment which lumped me into a category as a "non-musical", I would suggest you do a bit of checking. You will find that I have posted many lyrics in the threads, answered many requests which often meant searching out some recording and transcribing the lyric. Some "musical people" sing a lyric, and can capture a moment. Some of us sing the songs because we understand, or seek to understand what societal circumstances spawned that music. It allows us to sing, and tell the yarn with conviction. That is why I enjoy the discussions. And I must tell you that I also love the interaction with my fellow folkies......the witty repartee, the arguments, the whole bit. Sorry if you see people like Rick Fielding, Art Thieme, Sandy Paton, Animaterra, Willie-O, Peter T., and yes, even meself as nonmusical. You see, all of those folks have taken part in that which you profess to abhor. And not just a little bit. There are many others.

I wish you well, and I will say no more on this thread.

Mick