Troy Lynn Eckart said: >but I have read a few of the studies and if this is the same type of CR >Bob is referring to, the people that participated looked like skeletons >with skin Wow, talk about an emotionally weighted, prejudicial image! I guess I must be wrong when you solicit images of obvious malnutrition! Oh wait...maybe your statement is misleading, and as "low a blow" as anything suggested by Joe McCarthy. TLE, that was an emotional, manipulative statement that forms negative bias in those undecided, uninformed, or impressionable. 1) I NEVER indicated, at any time, ferrets should become "skeletons with skin." That is an unfair characterization that leaves a negative implication towards my personal reputation. You may not have intended such an erroneous implication, but it is there. Shame on you. 2) I have read more than 100 studies on caloric restirction in animals, performed over a range of dietary restrictions. A few have the extreme results you mentioned, but MOST do not. I was planning on discussing these issues when I get to the part explaining how CR can help our ferrets. Unfortunately, you have jumped the gun, and may have prejudiced some readers so that they may not learn of a simple, easy way to better their ferret's health. 3) The Ad Libitum posts are sequential in nature and identified with a number so they can be cliped and pasted, in order, into a word document. Besides my repeated plea to read the series as a unified whole, this numbering system indicates that the posts are a unified series that, because of space limitations, cannot be posted at once to the FML. You are critical of things that will be fully explained later. Unwarranted criticism prejudices those readers undecided, or impressionable. It is manipulative. 4) I also love and adore ferrets. They have improved my life and granted me happiness. I have dedicated myself to bettering their condition and quality of life. I am just as passionate about this as you. The way you worded your post implies I am not. Do you think I would ever suggest a change that would harm a ferret? The implication of your post suggests it! That implication is hurtful and demeaning. "How is it possible to put obligate carnivores on a CR diet?" I could ask the question, "Why are you promoting a food filled with starchy carbohydrates for obligate carnivores?"! CR is easy, safe, and simple. All you have to do is read the remainder of the posts with a open mind and learn. I am NOT implying I have all the answers; all I ask is a fair opportunity to question and discuss the issues without constant, negative bombardment. I am NOT (!) afraid of criticism; bring it on when it is deserved (and I deserve it on occasion)! But I am being criticized for things I haven't said, haven't implied, or will be explaining later. That is a form of censorship, and it is unethical at best, or immoral at worst. It is ok to voice concerns and ask questions, but to do it in a manner that prejudices the reader before the argument is finished is unfair. To solicit images of starving ferrets to counter a series a posts that *I* am writing is damaging to my reputation as a ferret lover, regardless if it was meant to be a general statement or not. It doesn't matter IF you intend it that way; THAT is the repercusion. Bob C [Posted in FML issue 3973]