My dictionary defines Forum: Place of public discussion, court, tribunal.

I am begining to think that Max's ideal is coming to resemble the last two, rather than the former.

Order may be good or even necessary, but it is not and should never be considered the sole purpose of the forum. The tolerance and understanding that used to be the way and enabled all of us to contribute to the forum using only mutual respect, is sadly giving way to something else.

The idea that there are PEL people or Iraq people is offensive. And the idea that these are any more of a different tribe than people who start any other thread on any other subject that may not be of personal interest to you or me is misguided.

There were two Iraq threads started today that just didn't need to be started, since there already were a number of Iraq threads running. The new threads didn't deal with a major change - they were ancillary to the ongoing discussions. With a little thought, the thread originators could have fit their information into the ongoing discussion.

The originators of these threads considered that these did need to be started. That view should be respected, even if you or me may not agree with it, for it is just a matter of opinion and personal taste after all.

Everyone has every right to express their view, but not to express only it after imposing it by taking action. A PM could be sent first to the originator (if they have a cookie) and ask if they agree to any proposed course of action?

I fear the PEL threads will give way to more non music pro or anti TPC threads like this one. Did this one really have to go on the main forum? Could it not have stayed in the help forum?

The idea that the forum can have too many threads is rather like the Emperor in Amadeus, telling Mozart that his music has too many notes, and to take a few out!

We may all have opinions but only the Emperors among us have the power to act on them............