Hey Skip, I'm sorry you feel you are being lectured to, I dont think that is the intent. Of course we all have other interests and obligations and can't make them all work, sometimes we even just want some down time. I don't think anyone has to have an excuse or give a reason about not making a GTG but if someone reads the post there is nothing wrong with a quick "sorry we can't make this one", it let's the group know at least you saw it.
Please understand There are good reasons for the request to sign up,
A - where would we like to go and do what, does anyone have a suggestion
B - the number of cars coming makes a big difference in the route we take (so we can stay together, you can't go through town with 10-15 cars and stay together ) and if there is a large group we may need restaurant reservations and yes we have had over 30 people and without knowing in advance it would have been an issue.

What do I think... Well Commit or don't that is everyone's choice but when you don't it makes it hard on the person planing the GTG and I don't think that is really very nice.
Please keep in mind this is just my opinion, not the CTC's