...for PROFESSIONAL Vet. Assistance for the Michigan Ferret Bill, HB #4495!
 
[ Moderator's note: I'm worried about this getting out of hand.  Paul
  makes some good points here, in my opinion, but let's be careful to
  keep it factual so we don't escalate to personal attacks.  Besides,
  the author of the anon post is no longer even subscribed.
  Thanks... BIG ]
 
 >  Subject: a side note
 >
 >Just to let everyone know, I don't speak for the Great Lakes Ferret
 >Assocation, I'm not even a member.  Sorry if I offended anyone with
 >my request for rabbies studies.
 >beckers
 > Becki Kain              [log in to unmask]
 > (313) 248-6044
 
 >Date:    Fri, 16 Dec 1994 16:20:39 -0800
 >From:    [log in to unmask]
 >Subject: goodbye cruel world!
 > Re: The lies and slander of fuzzy-hating fascist bastards. i.e.
 > Michigan's governor and willie butthead brown.
   ===============================================
 
From: Paul Rahman
Status: REQUESTED to pass on to the electronic media IMPORTANT data on
Ferret legislation in MICHIGAN via the Great Lakes Ferret Association!
Subject: Rebuttal of inflamatory and erronious statement made by others,
AND an URGENT REQUEST TO THE FERRET LOVING Veterinarians!!!
 
URGENT!! URGENT!! URGENT!!
 
The Great Lakes Ferret Association has requested that I and Becki Kain pass
along this data:
We have been told the Governor is concerned that ferrets are potentially
dangerous. PLEASE!! ANY Vets in other states tat love ferrets FAX or E-mail
the Honorable Governor Engler and EDUCATE him on the TRUE TEMPERMENT of the
Domestic Ferret! Our bill depends on this!! ONLY Vets involved with
ferrets, and other professionals involved with ferrets, and appropriate
credentials should respond!! We need PROFESSIONAL opinion only at this time
to sway the governor!! He may be e-mailed at [log in to unmask] or FAX (the
preferred method, PLEASE use your professional letterhead! At:
(517)335-6863. It might be pertinent to note that the Honorable Governor
Engler is a recent father of triplets.
 
End of official note for the Great Lakes Ferret Association.
   =================================================
Now, my PERSONAL input on the quoted messages above:
 
On the above quote, I was contacted by the GLFA in regards to Becki Kain's
posting to this Ferret Mailing List. "the lies and slander of fuzzy-hating
bastards" is EXACTLY where I was contacted. You have potentially caused a
GREAT disservice to our efforts to get this bill through!! Great concern
has been placed on whether the governor could see your note, with the reply
you received, if we get ANY letter sent to the governor with this kind of
language, we will LOSE the bill!! He is NONE of the above!! HE DOES have
ALL the rabies compendiums, and ALL the data, with the exception of what
>>I<< specifically requested!! He requires PROFESSIONAL OPINION on the
TEMPERMENT of the Domestic Ferret as a companion animal!! He NEEDS input
from Vets on the ability of these being safe cohabitants with humans, with
NO MORE RISK than that of a domestic cat or dog in relationship to humans!
If we get ONE person contact the governor with the incorrect, vile, and
hostile attitude Becki's note has brought out due to her insensitive,
INACCURATE posting of data the GLFA requested her to post, then we can kiss
our bill to legalize them goodbye, and have NO ONE other than the sender of
the note to the governor, AND the person that induced this 'bad attitude'
to blame. PLEASE, the Governor HAS met, and held, and liked the ONE ferret
he was introduced to. Personal opinions on the Governor and his politics
are NOT to be used in contacting him. WE NEED to follow the compliments
given us by ALL members of the House and Senate on the "professionalism,
intellect, and facts presented" while NOT resorting to insults, threats of
'voting them out if we don't get our way', etc. The GLFA is EXTREMELY
FEARFUL that Becki's note would draw the kind of response as quoted above.
We DON'T NEED IT, and it will do ONE THING-IT WILL GET US A VETO!! If the
Governor DOESN'T sign the bill, and the Michigan Congress is still in
session on 12-29-94 AT 11:52am prior to breakin session for the year, our
bill will AUTOMATICALLY become law! Should ONE person induce him to veto
it, we are LOST!!!!!!
 
Respectfully,
Paul in Michigan
[Posted in FML issue 1046]