Dear Fellow FMLers,
I am, regretfully, in agreement with Marti Smith's position on the Ferret
Chain.  It is a marvelous idea, but possibly a dangerous one.
 
I live in South Dakota, where people leave their cars unlocked and running
while they go into the grocery store, then leave their pocketbook in the
cart and walk away from it.  Some people still don't lock their houses.  It
seems very quaint and safe here.
 
I grew up in a much larger metropolitan area, and have lived all over the
country.  It isn't safe.  Perhaps a limited version of the Chain could be
implemented, in which people posted telephone numbers instead of addresses.
People could meet somewhere and provide the traveller with information.  If
they hit it off, private arrangements could be made.  That would give people
the opportunity to get together, without committing too much to people
sight-unseen.
 
Always,
  Susan
[Posted in FML issue 1852]