I'll add to what Ebbie said... to refresh a tad... she answered this from another post... "So, if Mudcat was a proper community, with proper membership answerable to a proper elected committee,..."

Here's my answer : Mudcat is what it is because Max allows everyone and anyone, to a point actually beyond decorum, to speak their minds without "committee" approval. Freedom of speech if I can paraphrase my own assessment. No personal attacks and don't be a fuckin asshole... again, I am parapharsing my own assessment.

Seems kinda simple to me. Play nice and if ya don't the other kids on the playground will call you an asshole and kick your ass. Works for me. As a matter of fact, I think it's perfection.. I think it's RATHER proper because the membership and non-membership answer to a FAR greater committee. The other kids.

Mudcat has seen "them" come and go. There are some at present and they make fools of themselves and are essentially innocuous, like buzzing flies. Some get swatted. Some still buzz around even after being politely, and impolitely, shooed away. But, some of those flies provide a service by challenging US to be a committee.

Say what you want, but, the reason you get to say it is... simply... Max.

Thanks yet again Max.