It really amazes me that people who will not publicly engage in a discussion, especially those with dissenting viewpoints will however, have the audacity to contact people privately to chastise an author's publicly presented views! I wonder why these so called "Word Police" and "Holier-Than-thou" people feel they have been self appointed to attempt to curtail discussions and exchanges of ideas. Apparently they do not have the capacity to construct opposing viewpoints without turning to personal attacks! I know full well that many people do not agree with my position on ferret feeding and I can accept that. I certainly am not trying to brainwash anyone or force my views down anyone's throats! Not withstanding the numerous folks who contact me with encouragement, thanks and more questions regarding specifics of changing their ferret's diet, there are the inevitable people who deem themselves officers of a forum and while they never participate publicly they have no qualms about berating someone privately. As is typical these conceited blow-hards deign to spout off objectionable epithets, they eschew people's choice of cages, choice of ferret sources, choice of ferret food, choice of ferret vet care, choice of training methods, even where people obtain their ferrets; but when a response is given they retreat back to their cave. They are rather pleased with themselves at the ability to poke and jab from obscurity. Forums are not repositories to compile scientific journals they are places of personal points of view and personal ideas and personal experiences,! Some of these personal observations can be bolstered with scientific information, but science is NOT an EXACT science and the discoveries of today often negate or alter significantly what was accepted as scientific fact in the past! Forums offer great places for idea exchanges and discussion from various viewpoints, but the key word is "discussion". If a reader has a differing viewpoint then construct a viable argument and present it for public discussion! If one author's viewpoints bother the reader, the reader always has the option to skip that post. It really is that simple! Oh, but can't we all just get along; live in peace, love and harmony? Always say sweet things to each other? Not in the real world! But we CAN agree to disagree and we CAN openly discuss controversial subjects without resorting to childish antics! - Well MOST of us can! Regards, Kim [Posted in FML 6238]