Art,

I am going to paraphrase you on this. I love ya to death, my friend, but you are wrong on this one. If the thread is political, controversial, out there......whatever, and you are not comfortable, just don't go there. I am shifting my focus back to the music as well, but if a BS thread comes up that I like, I will jump in, and once more tilt at the windmill of civil discourse on controversial subjects. If folks don't want to participate, God bless 'em and the thread will die.

Your free spirited commentary is as much a part of what makes the Mudcat special as anything. Stifle it and you will hurt this place. We have all learned a lesson from the past few weeks, but that doesn't mean that we change the essence of this place. My feeling on those that have left is that if they left because of lack interest, God bless 'em. If they left because of mean (as opposed to spirited debate) comments then shame on us for allowing it. But if they left because they don't like what folks are discussing, in threads that they didn't even have to go into, then they are selfish control types that really don't care much about this community. Otherwise they would not attempt to hurt it by their leaving. MHO.

You, Mr. Thieme are one of the most important people here because you are you. Stay the course. I truly have come to love you as a close friend. These comments are intended to be reflective of that.

Mick