Hi Everyone, Randy wrote: >Subject: John Gordon >It takes a mighty big man to get on an international list such as this >and admit to the world you made a mistake. My hats off to you and you >have my respect. Ferretguy I don't know if I'm highly complimented by a man that I respect or if I should be upset with him because he's got a camera in my house and can see that I need to lose more weight. LOL!!! Seriously folks, I appreciate the private messages from those who feel my point about hypocrisy was proper. Actually, there were no messages disagreeing with the main point of my posting. I simply want equal treatment for everyone. For those who disagree - well - that is your prerogative. I'm one of those who remembers the world before the 60's when unequal treatment for some was the normal way of doing things. We fought hard to change that and I don't apologize for that. I am quilty of not expressing my issue well in the initial post. Probably in the 2nd post as well. For that I would explain that I wasn't thinking clearly due to extreme anger compounded by concern over the health of my and my friend's ferrets. That is not a good excuse. My friend Debbie lost her Daisy during this time and, while I don't believe Daisy's death was caused by the food, it weighed heavily on my mind. Perhaps others will remember that when they are ready to send a post before cooling down. It's not the first time I've done that and probably won't be the last although I do try. :-) Another poster, who I respect, privately commented that freedom of speech also includes the freedom to not speak. From that perspective, I need to clarify that I wasn't angry with the thousands on this list that don't normally bash companies. The relatively few who are regulars at bashing pet stores, breeders and corporations are the people that I felt were being hypocritical, or at the very least showing a double standard, by not posting valuable and important information regarding the health of ferrets simply because it was caused by a "favored" "small" company. Since the thread has accomplished the intended purpose - letting ferret owners who feed Totally Ferret know to watch for bad batches - it seems to me to be time to put it to rest. I was not upset with Performance Foods for the bad food - only for the failure to either inform us or effectively get it off the shelves. Does this mean I think they are a bad greedy company. NO!!! It means that as humans do, they made mistakes. For that there is a price. They are paying it. It's time to move on. Hopefully some positive things can be learned from this fiasco. 1. Never depend on one source for food - regardless of how good it usually is. 2. If you are aware of a legitimate problem - make the list aware of it. If it is valid you will have done ferrets a service. If it isn't you can, and should, always say "Never mind!" 3. Minds and parachutes have much in common - they don't work when closed. 4. BIG has shown great patience in allowing heated discussion without censorship. We are so lucky to have him as moderator. But then again we already knew that. This is a wonderful list that I find to be a valuable learning tool and, while I don't agree with some points of view expressed here, I encourage everyone to participate by posting. Truth thrives when exposed to enough light. Evil thrives in the dark. John Gordon in Pekin, IL with 9 happy ferrets now that the bad food has been replaced. Going back into lurk mode until the next time. :-) P.S. I'd appreciate it if any of you who know how much good Debbie Gilliland has done for ferrets here in central Illinois would pray to your higher power to soothe her recent losses. Her long time (puppy) friend Samson left her last month and now her long time ferret friend Daisy has gone. Daisy was in great pain and Debbie had to help her along. Debbie is a very caring gentle person and is deeply hurting after these losses. [Posted in FML issue 3120]