They did not invite others of opposing viewpoints because it seems they wanted to use their power of the media to dominate the discussion.

It is a bit different when you are the only show in town.

If you are truly open and fair and sharing and want peoples to get together as proclaimed by seeger and others then you will invite diversity even if you have to do it yourself.

Remember we dont really know. Did seeger and smothers et all turn down material or refuse artists the ability to share the stage. And if that would not work did they find songs to sing themselves.

Of course they did not have to do this but it might have helped keep the entire folk scene from being branded which most likely hampered its growth.

Conrad