Looks like this topic is crying out for a note from me. So here it is: In my opinion, this has been blown way out of proportion and has taken on a mob mentality. Kevin's original post, if it was a clever sarcastic note (and turns out it wasn't), doesn't seem like it was ever meant to be a swipe at Bob C, though I can't judge the intentions of a post which never occurred. Bob, sensing a possible swipe at a member of "the crew" posted a well-reasoned response stating such posts were uncalled for. How that evolved into "Kevin's post was an all-out attack on Bob C., his research, world travel and the DMK ferret rescue" is beyond me. This is a written forum and meanings aren't always clear. Some people read a post and immediately see an attack. Often though, a post can be taken more than one way and what seems like an attack might just be a different way of stating things with no bad intent at all. The post in question is a great example. Kevin's post, at first sight, contained a useful link and an encouraging message. I checked the link, liked his message and I didn't think anything more of it at first. When a couple of people complained, I "realized" they were probably correct and the post must really be a clever bit of sarcasm. I guess I'm as guilty as anyone else in seeing the worst scenario. We're all going to guess wrong sometimes. And most of us might let a couple of words slip which perhaps should be better left unsaid. But overall we're a great bunch of caring people on this list -- that's why we're upset when we perceive one of us is being verbally attacked. That's fine, and I'm all for checks and balances, but I think we really shine when we concentrate on the positive things going on rather than looking hard to find the negatives. Myself included. Enough said. Bill FML moderator [Posted in FML 5987]