This is not an attack on Vickie (who recently sent me information on the ADV research fund that I appreciated), or the AFA, but rather a plea to the powers-that-be at AFA to rethink their tactics. PLEASE don't read this as an attack -- simply read it thoughtfully and calmly, and accept the fact that we are all fallible. I don't know why so many of you at the head of AFA have decided to take such an antagonistic approach to anyone who questions you, but it seems to be back-firing. Look at the folks here who took the time to write and say that your response alone has turned them against AFA. How many others felt the same way and didn't bother to write? You had an opportunity to put AFA in a good, professional light, and instead, you chose to fire off a rather childish reply to a legitimate issue. Your comments are similar to those by other high-ranking members through the whole ADV debate weeks ago. The impression is that anyone who dares to even question the AFA is automatically an idiot that wants to destroy you. Why is it that you feel this way? It's convenient for you to believe that AFA 'doesn't need people like us', but you're wrong. Any organization needs new blood to continue to thrive. And what's so wrong with a person being concerned about the impression made on the public by what she perceived to be public abuse against a ferret? After all, doesn't the AFA want to promote ferrets in the best possible light? Aren't we all on the same side here? You could have disputed her story in a rational manner, without references to Easter (what was that about, anyway - I found it offensive) and attacks on what you perceived to be "bitching". Wouldn't you complain if you thought ferrets were being abused? If not, you really should not have the position that you do. It seems to me that much of the anti-AFA feelings you are seeing are due more to the attitudes of the leadership than anything else. Perhaps it's time to change some of those attitudes, swallow your pride, bite your tongue, curb your temper -- and act like leaders people will actually want to follow. And to defend someone just because they are a long-time, successful and respected breeder (and, I assume, a friend), is dangerous. I once watched a very successful, respected, good-looking, smooth-talking and popular horse trainer take a young horse out behind a show barn and beat the crap out of him with a whip because he hadn't performed well enough. This poor horse was quivering in fear and pain when the trainer finished 15 minutes later. He had no idea that I was resting in my car and saw the whole thing. To my everlasting shame, I did not confront him (this was 20 yrs ago, but that's no excuse; I've never forgiven myself). However, I did tell a number of people about it. No action was taken, but to this day I discuss what I saw with horse people, even though the trainer has long since gone out of business (his abuse gradually became more open, and people were afraid to send horses to him). Look, if you *want* to give the impression that you are just a bunch of SOB's who are too insecure to handle reasonable questions, then you are certainly being successful. But I really can't believe any of you would take on such a time-consuming voluntary job if you didn't care about ferrets. How does alienating a large number of ferret owners help you? How does it help ferrets? Politics is one thing, but you can't even handle questions by folks you don't know, who have no agenda. Please reconsider your communication methods, or find someone who is better with public relations to handle your public communications. That way, we can start working together to help the animals we love so much. Joanne [Posted in FML issue 3007]