I never intended the site to be "exclusive", but I did want to try to encourage people to sign up as a way of indicating support for The 1909 Group and you are still encouraged to do so.  But I've changed the forum system and the comments.

Now anyone can view and make comments on main articles published on the site, just as you would expect with a blog.  But only site editors can, at the moment, create the stories and pages that could start off a discussion via the commenting system.  So if you want to raise issues of your own, and just discuss things in a more organized forum type system, you can access the forums so long as you sign up.

If you just want to comment on site content and remain unregistered, you'll be asked for a "captcha" code to help try and stop spammers.  If you register you won't be asked for that.

I hope these small changes will make for a more welcoming site and vibrant discussion of the important issues we believe we are promoting on here!