I'm glad this thread hasn't disappeared completely
I've just been part of a somewhat vicious exchange which I believe came very close to closing a thread (I sincerely hope it hasn't)
In a discussion on violent crime, I raised the question of a Traveller who was 'executed' by an Irish farmer some years ago
This led to a spectacular attack on the Travelling community in general, which then almost degenerated into a slanging match (largely due to a posters intolerance of Travellers and my objection to the views being expressed on this forum).
Nuff said about that particular dust-up.
What does concern me is that there seem to be a number of no-go areas being created on this forum by people who are prepare to use it as sounding boards for their intolerance
Islam seems to be a no-go area - (I mentioned the lack of Muslims on forum that would very much benefit from their presence, especially on the subject of music)
Antisemitism has become an issue almost guaranteed to close threads
Discussion of particular political parties is sensitive territory.
Even certain aspects of folk song have become taboo
Now we have the question of Travellers
I came to this forum through my interest in folk song, and a major part of that interest has been the role part played by Travellers like Jeannie Robertson, The Stewarts of Blair, John Reilly Johnny Doran.... and the many, many Traveller singers, musicians and storytellers who have played an invaluable part in preserving our folk cultures down the centuries.
If racial and cultural intolerance of is going to hang over the discussion of these people, then I don't think it bodes too well for some threads on both sides of the line BS and Music/Folklore

I did think of opening a new thread on this (I'm still more than a little angry at the display of racial/cultural intolerance displayed on the other)
I thought that, as this was about thread closure and it had appeared to have run out of puff, this was as good a place as any to vent my anger.
Said my piece - have a good day, y'all
Jim Carroll