Ruth siad:

"I can't speak for every programmer, but I certainly don't base my booking policy on what I read on Mudcat. I book artists (or not) for a lot of reasons, but their personal opinions and views, no matter how heatedly expressed, don't come into it."

I was going to say the same thing myself. I've booked (and the band and my wife have been booked by) people who I have had robust debates with or about here on Mudcat. I value these debates even when people get passionate about a point of view that differs from my own. It's not that difficult to seperate the 2 things out.

I might think twice about booking someone who has been exceptionally insulting to me on here.... but only because I fear they might do the same thing to our audience. No one has been that rude to me though (yet!). Do you think using my real name would really change this so much?

I do agree with you that some contributors should temper their posts..... but many people who I would ask to do this use their real names anyway!

Paul Arrowsmith