I've avoided commenting on much of what is now going on in and around the FML. There have been posts calling the subscribers a family. I think the list is too big for that. There have been more and more posts about ferrets that have died. I do sympathize with those who have lost ferrets. I don't mind short announcements particularly about those that have been mentioned many times in the FML. I also understand the concern that it is getting too morbid. It it getting heavy with mention of "rainbow bridge" as if now it is not permissible to use dead or died but only "passed over rainbow bridge". A point made but perhaps missed is that these death notices are a bit heavy for the newly subscribed list members. We don't need to bury new subscribers who are looking for a source of information with too many long posts about deaths. Weren't many people recently complaining about the length the FML is attaining? I fully expect nasty emails, some directed to me and many many more directed behind my back. This unfortunately seems to be becoming a problem with the FML community. A while back I posted something telling people to pay more attention to the recommendations of veterinarians than lay folk especially me. Someone took great offense to that and started a campaign of nasty emails to me though I think that was an accident. I believe the intended recipients were other folks in this tight group that seem to think only their view of ferrets is correct. I was accused of sexual deviancy and stupid untrue unethical procedures. A rather strange reaction to my belittling my own importance. I definitely challenge these folks to prove any of their accusations. An easy challenge to make since it would be impossible to prove something that didn't happen. I make quite a bit effort in regards to my own personal integrity. One's own integrity is the only thing that can not be taken away - it can only be thrown away. I did not appreciatebeing the victim of libel and illegal wire fraud and sent a request for an apology. It of course was ignored. Instead I have been threatened with a lawsuit if any natural or man-made disaster causes any harm to come because my email somehow prevent this group from performing its self-appointed duties of protecting ferrets. I did not mention the names of those who are spreading lies about me for no reason. I will let anyone who sends email know who in this community in my opinion cares more for there own self importance than the laws of this country and the truth. I do not tolerate bullies and liars. So far I have received no anonymous hate mail. But a point of information for those who send and those who receive. I can track down senders of anonymous posts. It isn't actually very hard. It is really a shame that many of those who claim to be "in it for the ferrets" really mean they are confused about what is ferrets and what is their own self importance and self-proclaimed but meaningless title. I'm just a programmer who happens to be doing rather well at breeding ferrets. Could we please stop with the detrimental politics and get back to ferrets. bill killian zen and the art of ferrets [Posted in FML issue 1430]