I think it should be possible for the competeing natinoal groups to re-unite
but I don't know the likelihood.  I would get into the philosophies of the
groups but their is a difference between what all of them say and what they
actually do.  Most do what is on their mottos and charters but their is also
a unwritten undertone of each groups personality.  If I was to give my
perceptions of that I am positive that each group would in turn protest.  It
has already happened when I dared suggest that the shelters associated with
one grops where no better or worse than those associated with another.  Many
people have dropped out of the ferret breeding and show circuits because of
the politics - some are on this list.  I do have opinions on these topics
but it would severely damage my abilities to co-operate with all the groups
as I do if I were to state publicly any flaws in any of the groups.  I
strive for objectivity in what I post with no political shades.  Some say I
accomplish that and others say I don't.
 
All I can do is reprint here the information that each group provides as to
its goals and directives.  Questions on culture I will not discuss in this
public forum (I will give opinions to those interested but only in private
since they are nothing more than opinions)
 
I am doing a registry of ferrets.  This has already been started and already
has some four thousand ferrets in the database.  I will be getting hundreds
more in database dumps that have already been promised.  I would be willing
and expect to make available information independant of the current national
groups.  I am also expecting to continue to be involved in several of them.
I will be an AFA licensed judge.  I have talked with Chuck Scaggs and will
possibly work with his group NAFA but they have a policy that keeps thos in
other groups from holding real positions within NAFA.  I'm am working toward
helping FURO as well.  I will not compromise one group for the benefit of
another but am trying to show that it is possible for at least me and my
family to be involved with all the people.  I doubt that I alone can unite
them but at least there is some connection.
 
I will not relinquish control of the database that I have started but will
share from it.  If a workable way to allow this to actually be a money
source I would be more than willing to make this money available to work for
ferrets and not line my pockets.
 
I was expecting to provide ceritificates and pedigrees based on the
information I give but I do not want to charge for inclusion.  The
information is hopefully going to be more important than only listing
those ferrets whose owners paid.
 
If there are people who have strong opinions or ideas an what they might
find useful from this let me know.  I am expecting to track any medical
information I can get including genetic flaws, cancers and other problems
that might have a genetic component, causes of death, vaccine information,
birth and death dates, but minimal owner information.  I do not want this to
be a source of information for those trying to track ferrets in FFZs.  I
will try to find ways to let this be used for political purposes only when
that means passing pro ferret legislation at any governmental level.
 
This is already happening with out the control of any of the current groups
to prevent it from being 'owned and controlled' by anyone of them.
Hopefully this will also keep them from boycotting this effort.  I did not
originate this but am providing the computerization (I am a software
engineer by vocation, ferrets is my avocation)
 
Any comments?  On list of private are welcomed.
 
Oh and I would like to comment on the excellent post by Howard Davis on
Colloidal Silver.  I have been known to denigrate somethings he has
written but I want to publically show that it is not a personal thing.
 
bill killian
zen and the art of ferrets
[Posted in FML issue 1374]