Ron

I think you have stirred a pot much larger than the one you originally intended and have unleashed some strong feelings from a variety of folks, many, many in support of you and your support of Kathy Lare as a quality kiltmaker, myself included. Unfortunately you have also stirred the emotions of some others who disagree openly with your opinions, your style of communication, and your judgement in doing so, which IMHO is off topic from your original post. In reading these last couple pages since my last post I have been bothered by some of the things others have said about you and what a "counselor" such as yourself should and should not do or know in regards communication, etc..., comments I think are a bit ludicrous honestly, but comments I respect simply becasue they are those of another person's opinion.

Simply stated I think we have gone far astray here. Personally I think the PM probably was uncalled for, although I do not know what was precisely said or how, leaving us all less than fully informed, but that was probably necessary to maintain the privacy of the sender, something I respect.

I don't think the issue of whether Kathy is a member of the forum is at all relevant, any more so than her race or religion are. She is simply a kiltmaker, a good one, who chooses freely to NOT be a forum member contributor. Nor should that matter when it comes to whether or not we as individual members here suggest her by name any more than any other vendor, whether or not they are a sponsor of this particular forum. Folks here buy things from members of the forum who are artisans, as well as vendors who are or are not members based on the price and quality of their goods.

I would say you have had a good experience with kathy lare, you personally like her work and recommend it to others, you (to my knowledge) have not particularly slammed anybody else's work by doing so, simply provided your opinions about hers, which is what an open "forum" is about.

I personally think it is time to shut this thread down, whether everybody thinks they have had their say or not. I think we are getting far astray from your original intent. Put it down, let it lay. people will be people and there is no way to restrict that, just tolerate it as part of our price of the freedom of speech and move on. I think you are a strong and considerate member of the forum with valuable and (generally) valued opinions that have a right to be aired openly, as you have and do, and I hope continue to do.

One man's O.

Your friend

Jeff