>I welcome opinions, comments, criticisms -- what did others think???
>Murray Mustelid the Show Sleuth
 
I'll start with the end first -- I don't think much of anyone who sails
under a false flag, hiding behind anonymity to make unkind comments about
the work of others.  If the work of "Murray Mustelid" is so pure and devoid
of axes to grind, then comment openly and fairly.
 
And that is the biggest problem with the Show Sleuth's little hatchet
jobs -- they are not fair and balanced.  They tend to dwell on his/her
perceived negative observations of the shows -- to include the dress of
the show attendees; something over which the show organizers have no real
control.  Each of the anonymous reports gives a laundry list of
unattributed negative comments, but no real way for the show coordinators
to go back to individual vendors to discuss the claims of problems and see
if there is a way to correct the alleged problems.
 
If there are indeed unprofessional judges -- identify them and clearly
state the shortcomings of those people.  What about their conduct was
unprofessional -- or is that simply another preconceived and unsupported
opinion?  Murray claims he/she is not out to slander anyone, and yet that
is exactly what happens -- all of the individuals are tarred with the same
brush, without any facts being presented to support the allegation.
 
Show Sleuth conviently failed to mention that there were two ferret shows
in different locations on the same day -- could that have been a
contributing factor to the low attendance?  Why was a sifnificant fact like
that omitted from what is supposed to be a fair, unbiased report?  That
omission is significant and tends to indicate the Show Sleuth is not taling
the trouble to be as fair as possible.
 
The truth is the Show Sleuth by his/her own admission attended the Croydon
show with preconceived notions that things would be bad and it appears that
he/she went about proving those "facts" true.  Something had to have been
done right -- and yet, the Croydon organizers weren't complimented even
once for the smallest of things done right.
 
Show Sleuth, if your motives are innocent and intended only to help the
show organizers create better shows, then come out from behind the false
front and report openly and fairly.
 
Scott
[Posted in FML issue 2830]