Frankly, I have no problem with logical discussions of natural vs.
packaged diets for ferrets.  I DO have problems with people being so
intolerant as to try to bar discussions which may result in thought.  I
have greater problems, yet, with those who try to speak for all of us.
There's not a person here who can do so.  Heck, anyone notice how extremely
careful Bill is to be a moderator rather than a censor?
 
These tactics have been suggested before:
1. If a post gets you very upset then at least TRY scroll past it, unless
it is a discussion for which you can add some ferret-specific information
which doesn't recycle on a weekly basis.  You do NOT have to read
everything.  After I got past the goal of having done so for the first ten
years (Done just to be able to mark the anniversary.) I stopped reading
every post and I find that a marvelous luxury.
 
2. If you are posting on a topic which might upset people try to make that
obvious in the heading.
 
 ---vegetarians who do not like omnivory in humans skip the middle part---
 
If accepting research food sources: they might have things you don't want
in them (as a poster wrote) but they might not.  Long ago, as a starving
(literally since I was working my way through college) older student I used
to get free food animals (dead) at times.  These had been raised under
conditions which were cleaner and healthier than standard food-level
animals because what were needed were certain ORGANS essential to the
experiments; no experiments were on the animals themselves.  That had to
stop because it was found out later that it wasn't allowed even when so
very safe, but having had the medical service come down on me multiple
times to get food stamps -- which I never did -- because I was
undernourished several times to afford books and room, I can honestly say
that those meals are VERY fondly remembered.  Anyway, the mice used may
have been perfectly safe.
 
 ----------------------Okay, safe after this bar--------------------------
 
I was appalled that the NH vet was obviously so unfamiliar with ferrets and
with the extensive rabies shedding study work, but still willing to put
clap-trap in writing.  A mind unwilling to recognize the limits of its
education is not one I'd EVER want making health decisions for a critter in
our family.  Fortunately, that sort of close-minded tendency to open one's
mouth before having facts behind what is said is a rare situation in the
veterinary community, which may well be why the NYC Health Dept.  had to
range so far to find anyone saying exactly what they wanted to hear.
(Politics over facts?  In NYC?  Naw....... ;-) )
 
Hey, NYC Folks, remember that YOUR letter to your council member supporting
Kathryn Freed's legislation to legalize ferrets is likely to be THE most
important thing you do this year for ferrets.  Also get your vets, friends,
and relatives in NYC who enjoy your ferrets to write in letters that they
adore ferrets.  Even if people say that they don't have one, yet, due to
the legal squabble but have been PLANNING on one and learning about them
for some time the sheer numbers of letters supporting legislation WILL be
what turns the tide.  If you trust your council member then go ahead and
say that you have one or tow or three, since those letters will have even
more impact.  Check out the website.)
 
It's pretty spooky that people act like they are walking on hot coals so
often in NYC, with all the forays by the mayor's appointee's into council
territories, the strip searches (just recently of a major character in a
hot musical because they thought he MIGHT be someone else) even of some
fare jumpers, the shootings, the battlements around the government
buildings, etc.  Steve and I really ENJOY going into the city and have felt
safe there since long before the current administration (though we sure
like the cleaned-up Times Square as long as it doesn't become any more
garishly clean), but we are appalled at the almost military-state aspects
increasingly found here and there in recent years.  (Hey, upstate, you
listening and chatting with your neighbors about this?) We see the
unfounded ferret ban as just one more part of this whole.  Might be wrong,
but that's how we see it.  Hey, if we're wrong then Guilini will fight to
HELP ferrets once presented with the facts, but I know people have sent
info and I haven't heard a peep, yet.  Any idea if or when we'll hear one?
(It sure would be a WONDERFUL surprise, wouldn't it?  Would you folks
upstate who have the vote power to make or break his Senate run like to let
him know that you adore ferrets and what he should say?  YOU have some REAL
POWER to help ferrets since he wants and needs you!!!!!!!!!!)
 
Sukie
[Posted in FML issue 2753]