Just as our society is a free one, at least here in the US- my fondest wishes for all other Mudcatters- the society at Mudcat is and should be a free one. I am not sure what the fretting is about. Is it because Gargoyle made some nasty and prejudiced remarks? He has freedom of speech. Is it because some of us defined his remarks as nasty and prejudiced? That is our prerogative, and some would say our duty. I don't agree with the creation of threads attacking or ridiculing any individual, but I defend our right to respond honestly to anyone's statement, or to ignore them as our consciences dictate. Is it because of the IRA/Loyalist contentions in the Armalite thread? Dissension should be welcomed as a means of airing views, defining our own philosophies, and, yes, even learning from one another. I do not agree, however, with those who would try to control the discourse, and then leave if they cannot.

I like this forum because we can say what we think and feel, and fortunateley those thoughts and feelings are by-in-large positive and empathetic. But would we surrender our honest discourse to some overarching rule that we be nice to each other at all costs? No. Should we ban those who make remarks that some of us find offensive? If Gargoyle had been banned, I would never have been able to read his "taxi driver" monologue on the True Detective thread, a dark but extremely effective bit of writing.

Mudcat, like the real world, may contain some instances of strife and disagreement, but I would never trade it for Disneyland.

LEJ