Look, I think what draws people to this section of the forum, are other members views on controversial news items, or social issues.
Mudcat BS, can be a terrific debating platform, it's full of intelligent and well educated people, and it used to be a place where discussions ran to thousands of posts on many different subjects.
If we confine ourselves to Fluffy bunny threads or jam making recipes, the section will surely die, for lack of intellectual stimulation.

The advent of "Team Musket" some time ago, signalled a new departure.
I think everyone was aware that more than one person was engaged in a campaign to close down discussion of subjects which THEY thought should not be up for debate.
When it started, I and others warned that it would undermine the forum, excellent contributors like Little Hawk were driven away, as they did not wish to engage with aggressive bullies.

Little Hawk was right, because the tactics of the group were allowed to continue, right up until a few months ago when one moderator in particular started to get a handle on what was happening.
The strange thing, is that these people see no contradiction between their avowed support for "universal equality"...and their frequent denigration of women, older members, and people whom they designate as being of lower intellect.

The behaviour of a section of the membership has been disgraceful in giving tacit support to this abusive trolling....mostly aimed at me but also to anyone who offered any support to my right to post views validated as far as possible by official figures.

I can handle the curses, the death wishes, the libellous claims about cruelty to animals, the snide references to my sexuality, and all the other tactics employed by "Team Musket", but many have not been raised in as tough a "school" and few now have the strength to air views which may run against the predominant view of the membership.


Follow this course, and you end up with Fluffy bunnies and jam making, for breakfast lunch and dinner, "Team Musket" will vanish, leaving an emasculated forum......job done!

Personal abuse is always wrong on this sort of forum....we are ALL intelligent people.
Multiple personas, used as a tactic to troll and silence debate should never be countenanced.....Ake.