I feel a need to throw in my 2 cents...
First, the ideas are coming in so fast, I hope they are not getting lost.  I
am saving some of them and will soon repost to keep them alive.  But please,
if you have an idea, write it down so it doesn't get lost.  Maybe we could
have a central idea library.
 
Re: (inter)national group
INFO InterNational Ferret Organization-I love it, whoever thought of it!!  I
would personally like to see committees formed-rabies committee, boycott
Michigan committee, etc.  etc.  so that people can pick something they want
to work on and then get started.  Each committee could have their own
mailing list or whatever, and then report back to the big group
periodically.
 
What is happening in Michigan?  Civil case?  Boycott?  (I think a
well-organized boycott can be VERY effective, just ask Avon).  I am sorry to
hear the stories about (some) people becoming even more misinformed about
rabies.  But I think we are in the `breaking open the abscess' stage (sorry,
I have cats).  You can't heal an abscess without letting the disgusting
stuff out into the open air; in this case, some misinformation will be
spread along with the good stuff.  But-it is better than letting it fester
forever.  It must come out into the open.
 
From having been involved in a number of political movements over the years,
some animal-related and some not, I also see this as the "banging your head
against the wall" stage.  In the beginning of any movement it can be
terribly frustrating.  Please keep the long-term vision in mind.  I can
guarantee that with all of us working together, things will be very
different in the future.  But in the short term, it can get discouraging.
Look at how public opinion has changed for animals such as wolves, who used
to be hated intensely.  I agree totally with the person who said this isn't
about rabies-it's about public perception of ferrets.  It is critical for
all of us to show people what ferrets are really like_just don't jeopardize
them by letting people come anywhere near their mouth; turn them around and
let them pet your ferret from the back.  Laws, policy, etc.  will change
when people's opinions change.
 
We know what ferrets are like, and we know the truth about rabies.  Let's
leave the petty stuff out of this; there is too much important work to do.
Working together we will insure that ferrets get the fair treatment they
deserve.  It won't happen overnight, but it will happen.
 
-- Ronnie DiComo
Ralphie, Harry, Prince Charming and Merlin ("Mom, are you done? Can we have
a raisin now?")
[Posted in FML issue 1976]