Just a thought:
 
The symposium coming up in St. Louis?  Perhaps those of you there would
like to discuss or vote on definitions on the words that trip some people
up.  They could become FML definitions of these words...voted on at the
symposium,OR on the list?
 
How might this help?
 
1. If someone says they are "x" one can kindly send them the FML
definition and ask if this, indeed, is the correct "label" for their
business.  This may slow down or tamp down any fierce negative feelings,
or entirely eliminate tender feelings being damaged.
 
2. People would be able to correctly label their business without fear
and terror of reprisal on the FML.
 
3. Gentle hearts would not be crushed, and leave the FML.  One must
remember that the people who may chose to donate to a cause may also be
many of the people who have taken in a number of neglected, or starving,
or abandoned animals.I think the FML really appeals to people with a deep
love of animals.  These might well be the same people that take in cast
off animals.  It would be a true loss to have them decide to donate
nothing or leave because of the strong emotions and strong words over
rescues/shelters, or rescued animals.
 
4. Shelter operators ... some  worn thin physically, monetarily, and
emotionally, would feel the fairness of the results.  One can chose to
buy nothing, buy from someone who needs money to help with a vet bill
who rescued a ferret, buy from a shelter that has clearly been defined
as such, or buy from a rescue that has clearly been defined as such.
 
It is just an idea to perhaps help the FML maintain cohesion.  It is just
my humble opinion that if another one or two or these things come to land
on the FML, that you may well lose a number of the very people that help
support the shelters on this list .
 
I have no time for any involvement whatsoever in this, and frankly will
have to delete any messages on my in box concerning this without reading
them.  I am only writing this to perhaps be helpful to the FML as a whole
for the reasons stated.  If this idea is not deemed to be a helpful idea..
then it is not.
[Posted in FML issue 4546]