I realize that I'm new here and should probably just keep my mouth shut and go along with the program. I'm probably about to open a huge can of worms and it may get me in trouble. That would be most unpleasant because i like it here. It's interesting, intellectually stimulating and a heck of a lot of fun. However, that sort of thing has never stopped me before. so, here goes nothin'.

There have been quite a few posts in quite a few threads complaining (griping? kvetching?) that this site should be for music related dicussions only. I'm as guilty as anyone of starting nonmusical threads. I've started two threads in as many days that consist entirely of jokes on a given topic. let's face it we ALL love the opportunity to make a joke. Some of us have gag files that would rival that of the late, great Milton Berle and haven't used half of them yet. I've noticed, however that the complaint comes up occasionally on those threads which discuss politics, war, social policy, health related issues or other topics important to human dicourse.

Though I am new here, it has been my impression that our main focus is Folk Music. However one may wish to define the term (see thread:What is folk music), there is no mystery surrounding what folk music is about. It about ALL of the things that people do: living, dying,working, raising children, worrying, loving, hating, waging war, waging peace, getting sick, getting well, etc.

I have no doubt that more than one or two of us have written songs based on coversations had within the vitual walls of Mudcat. Doesn't that, however peripherally, contribute to the music as a whole?

It seems to me that anything involving people should be a fair topic for this chat room.

If you hold a different opinion -- COOL! That's why I've started this thread.

Stephen