Dear Mudcat Agony Aunt,
        With the disappearance below the line of the Dylan-related thread, there are currently no Ewan MacColl related threads on Mudcat. Without my daily dose of these pointless discussions, I feel listless, dizzy, jumpy and depressed. I get headaches and I have lost my appetite.
        Please can you help?
        Worried of Lewes

Dear Worried of Lewes.
        You are clearly suffering from the condition known as Mudcatia Irresolvia. I'd better try to explain that in layman's terms. You are in a position where you need a daily fix of reading posts around a subject - in your case Ewan MacColl - subjects that simply cannot be resolved because the mere mention of that name brings forth unchanging opinions from entrenched positions posted by the usual suspects. Sadly this can become addictive and your symptoms suggest that this is what has happened in your case.
        You should try to bear in mind that Ewan MacColl died around 23 years ago and arguments about him cannot go on for ever. Now, ideally, I would like to see you withdrawing from your bad case of Mudcatia Irresolvia but I don't think that you will be able to do this overnight. I can see that you are already having 'cold turkey' reactions.
        I am going to suggest that you attach yourself to another, more contemporary of the "pointless discussions" as you yourself describe them. Certainly there should be enough on Mudcat to keep the average British folkie irritated. Try looking for threads around the following subjects:-
* Can the Unthanks sing in tune?
* Is Kate Ruby seriously over-rated?
* Why on earth are there such things as the BBC Folk Awards.
        I hope that this advice has been of some help to you. Please let me know how you get on.
        best wishes
        Auntie Mudcat