This has got to end at some point.....
At the end of the day there was an issue and I brought it up. I realise that on reading it it upset and probably shocked Neil, Jo and Barb as I know it would have done to me, but they were not personal attacks from me or anyone else and I'm sorry if that's how they were interpreted. No-one is claiming that the three mentioned have offended or hurt anyone, it's just something that's become a bit irritating, the same as when people mentioned Carl, RJ and Jonty, or Andy and me (the only difference being that no-one thought to tell us...
)
It was inevitable that one day the online community would branch out into friendships and relationships in the "real world" and I think with that comes closer bonds between people, meet ups outside of ML events and a lot more discussion of other members, be it good or bad and I don't think a single person here can claim to have never done it.
It is annoying that some rules can apply to some and not to others, in any situation not just this one, but that's the way of the world unfortunately, so I guess all we can do is
everyone take on board what's been said and get on with it, otherwise there'll be even fewer people posting because we'll have all left for good.