>From: Anonymous Poster <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Reason I am here > >... I have posted questions thinking that with the 2500 or so >membership, I would surely get some great advice. > >Sadly, I have not really learned much of anything. The response is >usually two or three people or more usually, none... TG - I see posts similiar to yours from time to time and it breaks my heart. I suppose just like any other venue where people gather, cliques do develop, but while there are people here on the FML who have known each other for a long time, even if just through these posting, everyone is welcome. If you've posted questions and not received answers it could be that people were busy that day - didn't read the FML or couldn't answer or didn't see your question or they thought Lot's of people will answer and I've got to do XXX - whatever. I also understand your frustration with what seems to be jerks and immature people who have to fight and argue. Now I'm not talking about someone who says something and someone else posts their opinion - a healthy discussion of "here's what I think" is good as long as the "others" don't take it upon themselves to call names or demean those who differ from their experience or opinion. I'm talking about people who DO call names and relentlessly hound or demean another person. I understand it happened about year ago when some of the ICONs of the ferret world ran one woman ragged being hateful to her and calling her vicious names and not just on this list. They followed her around to other lists labeling her with the most atrocious titles - they were vicious. They should be ashamed to have participated in such heinous displays of hate, but they may not even realize how wrong their actions are. Some people just don't know better, others actually think they are doing the right thing. I know personally of another woman several years ago who posted a warning about a breeder (ADV) and received so much hate mail that she changed her ISP and dropped out of the "ferret world" as it was back then. Humans are a fallible animal who will protect their pack (clique) even if they are wrong. In the aforementioned case the breeder did in fact help spread ADV across our country, but because she was so well liked (until her "crime" was understood) many people jumped to her defense and vilified the woman trying to warn everyone. - Human nature to protect your own. <<sigh>> SO YES TG, there are people on this list who will not grow up and will not treat others and their opinions with respect, BUT there are many, many more on this list who are very kind, very knowledgeable and who will help in anyway that they can. Consider the hateful remarks for what they are, consider the people for what they are showing themselves to be and ignore them. And finally Please don't ever stop contributing your kindness, your comments and your queries. It is my opinion that It is people like you who make this list worthwhile. Thank you for being here and for being one who prefers peace and a more tolerant view toward others. Vicki Montgomery Tricks and Treats Rescue Greater Houston/Galveston Texas 713-472-6599 [log in to unmask] [log in to unmask] "Until he extends the circle of his compassion to all living things, man will not himself find peace." ~ Dr. Albert Schweitzer [Posted in FML issue 5302]