My mailbox was full of messages from X person/group complaining about Y person/group, and judging from some of the FML posts, I am not the only one. I will not respond to any such messages, and just want to point out that the FML needs neither an Orwellian Moderator, nor some type of Nazi Thought Police. What is wrong with good honest debate? Homogenity might seem peaceful, but it is really boring, and evolutionarily, certain extinction. Over the last year, members of the FML have seen Mo' Bob (me) and Rudy Bob exchange darts, but the truth is, the FML would be far worse off without the blighter (pick one). [Disclaimer: "Blighter" is not meant to imply that biological organisms which cause blight are meant to be seen in a negative light.] I <gasp> actually *LIKE* the rudy-guy, and I would immediately quit any organization which terminated a person simply because they did not fit the general demographic profiles, and perhaps was not advancing the PC of the moment. I deeply agree there is *no room for name calling*, but debate is the one way for the truth to come out and knowledge to be advanced. Ferret viewpoints should not become dogmatic (see earlier positions of many people on chocolate and bone) even if the evidence is clear (ECE kills older ferrets: exception TLE). [Disclaimer: The use of TLE to illustrate the possible success of the ferret owner over ECE does in no way suggest that if a ferret should die from ECE, that the owner is incontenant, eh, I mean incompetent, nor that there is any connection between TLE and ECE even though both are really small, have three letters and end with an "E".] It is important to differentiate between debate and name calling. If you don't like something, respond; but remember everyone here (excepting Calif F&G spys) loves ferrets and deeply desires to improve their general quality of life. One of the things I have noticed on the road and speaking to many FMLers, is that many subscribers are *AFRAID* to post, because they are fearful of someone making fun of them. I think BIG can back me up (and no, we have never spoken of this) that this fear has caused some members to quit. [Disclaimer: the term "BIG" does not implay BIG is Big, nor does it make fun of weight-advantaged nor height-advantaged people, whatever those advantages may or may not be.] Regular posters, including me, have done this from time to time (my pet buggy-boos include domestication and evolution issues), [Disclaimer: The use of "evolution" does in no way imply that those groups that wish to live in the stone age and ignore the incontrovertible evidence that evolution--even religious evolution-- exists, will themselve fail to evolve.] and and we are wrong if the response includes a put-down of the person. BUT, don't get in a fray if someone contradicts your position; let the debate run, and see which side (if any) is more factual. You, I, we all may learn something, and that's what the FML is all about. As for the x people/groups vs the y people/groups, well, drop it. My God, my kids did the same thing when they were six! I will not choose sides, and both sides get my dander. [Disclaimer: this joke is not meant to enrage those who are dander-disadvantaged.] Work out your damn differences privately, stop tattling/cross-posting the responses, and take responsibility for your own actions/statements. Believe me, no one likes or respects tattletales, nor those that run around saying "Sean called me names" after they sprayed Sean with water. [Disclaimer: "Sean" is intended to be a genderless non-religious name, and any resemblance to an actual "Sean" is unintentional, even if they did call someone names.] It makes all of you look bad, it hurts the cause, and it fails to take into consideration that both sides are good people/groups. Bury the hatchet, kiss and make up, have a cold beverage, consume some illegal substances, leave on a UFO, fart, but whatever it takes, *MOVE ON*! Above all, don't take things so seriously, make some jokes, and spread some joy. In the words of Yahshua (Circa 30-40 AD): "Do not let the night fall upon your anger," and "Those that call thier brother a fool are damned." [Disclaimer: Yahshua is meant to be an English variant of the original Hebrew for Jesus, and was chosen so Christians could regard the words as spoken from a Messiah, Jews from a Rabbi, Islamic from a Prophet, and Pagans from a really cool guy with cool long bitchin' hair, wearing natural fibers, and really in tune with the supernatural.] Or the words of Paul and John, (Circa 1969) "Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be." In memory of Frank Zappa: "Ever notice those demanding understanding and toleration for themselves tend to hate almost everyone else?" OFF TOPIC JOKE: Know why paleobiologists rarely study rear legs? Because they are so ef-femoral. [Disclaimer: The repeated use of "Disclaimer" is not meant to imply that continual bickering and sniping have taken the joy out of telling jokes and funny stories, that becoming a regular poster requires a degree in PC, nor that really nice doctors are forced to make them because they are afraid they will be sued by know-it-alls working on their GEDs. It is meant to imply that some people should cut back on their caffine intake or at least admit they are hemorroidic personality-challenged red-eyed satanic California tax lawyers working for the IRS.] Mo' Bob missing the 14 but helped through it all by TJ/WF. [Posted in FML issue 1632]