Good points, Al. My libertarian philosophy must be rubbing off on you.
mkonig said: "I can not understand what the argument is all about.
Is the intention of bonsai not to create a tree in miniature form and true to nature?"
Hah, you'ld think wouldn't ya, but that's exactly what the squabble is about. One school of thought is that trees should look natural . If that means straight limbs that cross each other from the viewers perspective then so be it. A tree should represent its species as it grows in nature. The other school says that bonsai is about artistic representation of trees. If it happens to look natural that's fine but the emphasis is placed on art that will be pleasing to the eye. If I've got that wrong I'm sure someone will correct me.
You know there isn't a wrong or right answer here, nor do you have to only choose one path. What would be wrong with having highly naturalistic bonsai and highly refined artistic bonsai on the same bench? Not a thing in my book! Like Al said, your trees are YOUR bonsai future. Make of them what you will and by all means have fun in the process.
Tony