Carol Ann Smith commented in this forum that she felt I was too "hostile"
toward Sherman Dorn's critique of the merits of appealing our lawsuit against
the NYC Health Department.
 
When someone who is not an attorney (or trained legal expert) gives opinions
that we are wasting our time mouting an effort to overturn an oppresive court
decision involving our rights as ferret owners -- and then will not drop it
and continues to press such diatribe -- I believe it is he who unfairly
crosses the line into being contentious, and creates unjustified negativity
toward our sincere efforts.
 
After two and a half years of collecting scientific and statistical data to
present to a court, and spending countless hours creating a record to counter
the bias and arrogance of misguided health authorities, it is very
disheartening to receive a judge who used to work for the very authorities
you are opposing, and suffer a biased decision against you which you know
rightfully should not have happened.  Bad case law is ultimately bad for all
ferret owners.
 
Mr. Dorn's comments were presented as some sort of expert legal advice, which
Mr. Dorn apparently does not have. It was clealy destructive to our
fundraising efforts.  I would like to note that only one person of the more
than 900 people who receive this FML send in a small donation.  If you ferret
owners aren't intersted in preserving your rights, perhaps I shouldn't waste
any more time woreking on your behalf.
 
I'm sorry you feel "uncomfortable" about the tone of my comments, Carol Ann,
but I don't see any support coming from you when it comes to the ferrets who
must needlessly DIE at the hands of health authorities across the country.
Just because you don't feel passionate about this issue does not mean I
cannot.  And I will not apologize for it.
 
Any ferret owner who cannot afford $5 for a cause that might help save the
lives of ferrets and the grief of their owners I find not worth my time.
Come on, people, let's get together on this.  If not for ourselves, for the
little ones.
 
[Moderator's note: I consider this debate closed - I don't think it's leading
anywhere productive.  I'm going to try to remain neutral here, but it isn't
easy... BIG]
 
Gary Kaskel
Big Apple Ferrets legal fund
P.O. Box 268 - Gracie Station
New York, NY 10028
(212) 876-0090
[Posted in FML issue 1151]