[obloquy]

You have to remember too that Melkor returned to ME to continue his work, and without the aid of the Valar, they couldn't defeat him. If Melkor had remained chained, the elves would have made ME a better place, but not perfect and the effects of the Marring of Melkor would be there, but to a much lesser deegre.

Wait a minute, we're talking about the Valar's decision to invite the Quendi to Valinor. You're completely correct when you assert that if Melkor hadn't been naughty, things would've been great. But that has nothing to do with the topic at hand.

Why is it that the Valar couldn't come to ME and teach the elves? As the Valar did to Men in the making of Númenor? Is that so far fetched?

No, it's not far-fetched at all. In fact, I think the Valar probably would have spent a lot of time in Middle-earth with the Quendi. As it happened, though, they chose to invite the Quendi to Valinor first, and the invitation was accepted.

When I say grown as a race, I mean that in order for a race to develop their culture and craft, they needed time to learn themselves. Sure they could have others teach them, but they would have missed the part of gaining knowledge by themselves and the joy that it brings.

Again, just compare the Calaquendi and the Moriquendi. Who was better off? At the same time, I do think it was a mistake of the Valar to neglect the Quendi who chose to remain in Middle-earth.

And who it was that freed Melkor?

Manwe, as he promised to do. You may have read Osanwe-Kenta before, but I'll direct your attention to this particular bit:

If we speak last of the "folly" of Manwe and the weakness and unwariness of the Valar, let us beware how we judge. In the histories, indeed, we may be amazed and grieved to read how (seemingly) Melkor deceived and cozened others, and how even Manwe appears at times almost a simpleton compared with him: as if a kind but unwise father were treating a wayward child who would assuredly in time perceive the error of his ways. Whereas we, looking on and knowing the outcome, see now that Melkor knew well the error of his ways, but was fixed in them by hate and pride beyond return. He could read the mind of Manwe, for the door was open; but his own mind was false and even if the door seemed open, there were doors of iron within closed for ever.
How otherwise would you have it? Should Manwe and the Valar meet secrecy with subterfuge, treachery with falsehood, lies with more lies? If Melkor would usurp their rights, should they deny his? Can hate overcome hate? Nay, Manwe was wiser; or being ever open to Eru he did His will, which is more than wisdom. He was ever open because he had nothing to conceal, no thought that it was harmful for any to know, if they could comprehend it. Indeed Melkor knew his will without questioning it; and he knew that Manwe was bound by the commands and injunctions of Eru, and would do this or abstain from that in accordance with them, always, even knowing that Melkor would break them as it suited his purpose. Thus the merciless will ever count on mercy, and the liars make use of truth; for if mercy and truth are withheld from the cruel and the lying, they have ceased to be honoured.

Are you going to criticize Manwe's decision?

Well, IMO, it think that if the elves had remained in ME, and Melkor was first chained and then released, I would hope that the Valar would have intervened a lot sooner, (because there would be no Doom of the Noldor) because they knew that neither the elves or men were able to vanquish Melkor and in doing so, erasing a large years of suffering.

Again, you're right, Melkor caused a lot of trouble. And again, What does this have to do with the Valar inviting the Quendi to Valinor?