Nancy's post: >Dear Sillygirl, > >Just a word of advice, take it or leave it: Your posts have repeatedly >stated things that you later said you didn't mean, and you have then >criticized fmlers for misunderstanding you. People have taken offense to >things YOU HAVE SAID, which is not character bashing. If you want to be >clearly understood, please re-read your posts before you send them and >make sure your words clearly state your intent - even if it means putting >your post aside for a day until your emotions cool off, then re-reading >it for clarity. Wouldn't that be better than having to defend yourself >many times over? > >Nancy and critters Dear Nancy, First of all, I can not take back what was already posted almost 2 months ago. What's done is done. I have already apologized and clarified what I meant in hopes of clearing up the misunderstanding. So there is no need for you or anyone to keep going back to that as it has already been delt with. Second, yes I will defend myself when I have been unfairly judged or attacked, especially when I have been misquoted several times. There was nothing wrong with the message I posted last week in defense of pet stores. Someone later quoted me as saying that "all of us" have gotten our ferrets from pet stores, which I did not state at any time. The impression was also given that I somehow favored pet stores over shelters, which isn't the case, so I of course wanted to correct that statement. Third, my name is not "sillygirl". Talk about misreading something. How many times have you seen the name "Blossom" written after my posts now and yet you still refer to me as "silly girl", which is just my email address?? I don't call you by your email address title, do I? You know I agree with you about the whole respect issue, which is the whole point of anything I've ever posted. My point is that we all need to respect eachother's differences, regardless of whether we agree with them or not. I also agree that sometimes it's better to reread something and think on it before posting to make sure that it's not offensive. I wish I had done that with my first post that got people so upset, but I guess some things just rubbed me the wrong way. But at the same time shouldn't the same thing apply to other fmlers as well?? Some people make it the habit to bash pet stores and to critisize members who don't do things exactly the same way which THEY think we should. I was even told by several that I was unfit to have a ferret in my care and that I should leave the FML. None of that was called for. Talk about "loaded words" as someone mentioned. For some of these people my apology and explanation will never be good enough and that's ok, because I don't need anyone as any part of my life who is that harsh, unkind and unforgiving of human error. I know what kind of person I am and God knows and that is all that matters. I know that I care very much about animals and that they are far more than just ornaments (as some also said). And as I said before... Maybe you and some of the same people who keep telling me to be careful of what I post and to be "considerate", "compassionate", "tolerant", etc.. of other people need to also practice what they preach to me. Maybe you should consider that some of your posts have also offended people on here. When I say "you" I mean that generally, of course. For all the people who want to badmouth and mock me on here, there are a lot more who have been kind and defended me and even agreed with some of my posts...(Imagine that!) Yes, there are others out there who agree that all the bashing needs to stop and many who feel the same way I do. I've gotten some very wonderful and kind emails from people thru the FML and that means a lot to me. I guess not everyone shares the negative opinions expressed on the board. As I was told by countless people...If you don't like a post skip past it. Right?? The same goes for you and anyone else who doesn't like me defending some reputable pet stores after seeing them bashed repeatedly on this forum. If people can post whatever they want to, no matter how offensive or generalizing it is, then don't I also have a right to post something in someone's defense stating a different viewpoint?? That is a point which is sadly missed. It's like if everyone does not share the same brain on the fml with all aspects of ferret care, then to hell with us and we are told to leave the forum. That is truly sad. There should be room for all kinds of viewpoints on this forum and people need to be able to voice their feelings without fear of being blacklisted. I already said I was sorry for the way SOME of my original post was worded, but I also think I made some valid points, too such as my feelings about the feeder mice comments. And apparently I'm not alone in my feelings because I've noticed that a lot of people have been upset about those posts, too as I've seen many messages about it lately. If my apology is not good enough for you or anyone else that is not my fault. I have gone out of my way to reply to emails and to try to clear up any misunderstandings which occured, but there are some people who still attack me privately and on the FML and are totally relentless. I don't see those individuals practicing what they preach at all! Remember "don't judge unless you want to be judged." I will leave you with that thought. After this I will not be replying to anymore rude messages on the FML or in my email box. They will simply be ignored. I did not join the FML to deal with all this drauma. Enough is enough. No hard feelings. Take care. ~BLOSSOM~ <---- notice the name this time please... [Moderator's note: I hope it will be everyone's last post on the issue, please. Voluntarily, I hope? BIG] [Posted in FML issue 3959]