>From: "Todd P. Cromwell III" <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: California Senate; Tyson Bite >It amazes me that we're wrangling about Marshall Farms, yet today may be the >last day we have to get letters mailed in time to affect members of the >California State Senate Natural Resources and Wildlife Committee. I know the feeling. Seems like we've taken a back seat lately, doesn't it? In all fairness, there's not a lot the FML can do about it. CAns, get those letters out ASAP -- the hearing's scheduled for July 8th so there's still time. Out-of-staters, encourage friends and family in CA to write the committee members. I know it's a pain, but at least ask them. Here are the addresses again: Dede Alpert (note: FA says she's fence-straddling, but is open-minded) State Capitol, Room 2187 Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 445-3952 [log in to unmask] Tom Hayden, Chair (note: he's strongly pro-ferret) State Capitol, Room 2080 Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 445-1353 Maurice Johannessen State Capitol, Room 5061 Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 445-3353 [log in to unmask] Patrick Johnston State Capitol, Room 5066 Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 445-2407 [log in to unmask] Tim Leslie State Capitol, Room 4081 Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 445-5788 [log in to unmask] Dick Monteith (note: pro-ferret) State Capitol, Room 2048 Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 445-1392 [log in to unmask] Jack O'Connell ***(note: Senator O'Connell's vote is crucial)*** State Capitol, Room 5035 Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 445-5405 [log in to unmask] Byron Sher (note: pro-ferret) State Capitol, Room 2054 Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 445-6747 [log in to unmask] Mike Thompson, Vice Chair State Capitol, Room 3056 Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 445-3375 [log in to unmask] Those of you who write or phone, please be polite. See below. >From: alphachi <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Reply to Robert/Sheba/Marie/Swamp... re MF >Why do feel MF cannot be persuaded to listen? We never really tried. I was unclear. Rephrased: if we propose something resembling a scientific study I believe they'll listen. If our actions resemble a witch-hunt, they won't. We've seen how they react to hostility -- whether we like it or not, they close their doors. (Got more to say on this but it borders on AR and I'm already taking up too much space.) :-x In general, it's been my observation that ferret activists are self-destructive. They seem to have an uncanny ability to step on toes, and they unfailingly use their ability on the people that can help them the most... Drs. Jenkins, Hunter, and Bell, to name a few. Then, when they're done with the establishment they turn on each other, splintering a potentially strong lobby into less effective parts. On the bright side, I think we've seen the worst of the fractionalism, or at least I hope so. We'll always have personal differences, but we'll always have common goals. Changing policy at MF is certainly one of them as Alpha Chi has reminded us. So is legalization as Todd reminded us. So is quarantine as Kodo reminded us. swamp "Who, me officer? What's a ferut? These guys?? No, they're Polish cats." [Posted in FML issue 1991]