I receive the digest version of the fml.  After reading today's posts with
all of the he said/she said responses where people are ready to unsubscribe,
let me offer this suggestion.  Don't read or lightly skim posts that you
know are from people with whom you usually disagree.  For instance, I always
either lightly skim or skip Ed's and Zen's posts.  Why?
 
Because most of the time I either disagree with them or find them unrelated
to my interest.  I also can surmise from their posts that I won't change
their minds about anything.  I'm relatively new to ferrets (5 years), I
can't even come close to their experience, which I'm sure helps to concrete
their opinions.  So I don't even try to discuss things with them.  But guys
don't feel picked on; I don't read all of Bob's posts either.
 
The fml is in some ways like a newspaper or magazine (at least the
digest version).  I don't read the newspaper cover to cover, and I don't
read every post in the fml either.  I skim through, look for what I want
to read, and get on with my day.  I appreciate BIG rejecting all things
non-ferret.  When I read my gardening magazines I don't want to see an
article on how to rebuild the carburetor on my garden tiller.  And here in
the FML, I don't want to see non-ferret-related posts.
 
In no way do I feel this limits my freedom of speech.  My gardening
magazines would reject article submissions about ferrets, but I'm sure
modern ferret would love them.  So if I want to discuss PETA issues, I
am free to go to their web site and talk away.
 
I think I've been a subscriber for about 4 years now.  And the Marshall's
farm debate and the PETA stuff cycles around pretty regularly.  But even
though I have to skim through those posts from time to time, I wouldn't
want to give up the fml over it.  Many of the posts are priceless.
 
Yesterday's spaghettios post for instance and who could forget Dayna's
Foggy, or Sukie's Meltdown.  Without the fml, I never would have known
about these ferrets.
 
 
I rarely post, but felt I had to speak up today.  I know that there are
neglected and abused ferrets out there, but just because I don't get on the
fml and "preach to the choir", it doesn't mean I don't take it seriously or
view ferrets as toys.  I love my fur kids, and want to hear about the joy
other's fur kids bring to their lives.  In my own life, I can't let the
horrors overshadow the joys.  Life is about balance and I, for one, salute
BIG for his efforts to keep this forum within its guidelines.
 
Rebecca Murdock
[Posted in FML issue 2394]