DAVE...."If you feel that Mudcat has become unwelcoming may I suggest that you do the obvious?"

Hmmm....I don't see Mudcat as a comfort blanket Dave, I come here to exchange and explore ideas on various subjects; that is becoming increasingly difficult, not only for me, but for the majority of members who like reasonable and civil discussion on any subject which is not proscribed by Mudcat moderation.

Ian, and to a lesser extent yourself and Steve, seem to have taken it upon yourselves to try to wreck or shut down threads containing views with which you don't agree.
The MO appears to be unfunny "in jokes" and abusive ridicule of other members...witness abusive posts and ridicule to Michael, Keith, Jack, Pete, Frank, even Joe (God bless him).

I think you will probably be successful in achieving your objective, unless the mods make a stand and curtail your activities...they may be entertained to an extent by the barrage of abuse against myself, but when bullies are allowed to "get away with it", they get drunk with power and the bad behaviour increases.
Soon Mudcat will cease to exist as a serious discussion forum and everything in the garden will be rosy.