Sure you can discuss politics, courage, gas prices, April fool's jokes, minimum wage issues, and lots of other non-music related topics on other discussion groups, but you have to do it primarily with mainstream folks. Mudcatters are NOT mainstream. Their love for folk music carries over into many other areas, and I find it makes them more interesting, better informed, highly articulate, generally kinder and (to me) far more credible. I like the mix, and there sure are a lot of music threads to get into as well. Darn near perfect situation, far as I can see.