Dook Dook To Ya All FML ;O) We'd just like to share an observation the years have shown us . . . There is no pursuit which humans can take part in which won't inevitably have a share of both good and bad in it's ranks. Any time, for whatever cause, it can be a dangerous practice to allow ourselves to forget that fact, disregarding 'individuality' of person, and of life, and to view folks not by the persons but their'associations/race/religion/job/sex/'. Lately it seems, to us anyway FWIW, there's just been a lot of 'biting' remarks made back n'forth here, by various folks, regarding various and sundry topics, but all have a common thread of one 'group' at odds with some other group. While truth is, we think, that here on the FML these opponents are likely BOTH in actuality themselves the 'good examples' of their respective 'groups', which fact also doesn't effect, a reality of the existence of 'bad examples' too within these same groups. The fact the FML 'is' comprised of 'individual' representatives from all the many different groups holding such varied perspectives could be utilized to great gain for the ferret, if we correct the focus of our attentions, directing it properly at the 'real' bad examples within all of our own, and eachothers groups, and away from all our groups. We here are all for working together towards a better life and situation for ferrets in our world today. There are plenty of real enemies around for us to expend time and energy on so many we should have none leftover for eachother. There ARE responsible pet shops, there ARE responsible shelters, there ARE responsible breeders, and there ARE also NOT. We just have trouble imagining many of these last to be subscribed to the FML. Perhaps these folks which are concerned for these issues could effect the changes they so obviously desire by confronting/educating in their own communities. If everyone who cares about each problem issue tackles the problem, well soon enough, you'll have made a tremendous headway in remedying that problem. Folks, all I'm saying here is, with all of the brains, spirit, heart, and passion which exists within this list, if we put it to use as a whole we shall do wonders fer fuzzy freedoms, by just remaining our seperate parts then our 'potential' isn't fully realized and we'll lose out on a great opportunity to further benefit fuzzies as a result. As well, there appears to be a great deal of unfortunate confusion now concerning Jean Smith and the Spokane tragedy, apparently due to several instances of messages either misread or being disjointed. I'd like to point out a couple things I noticed had been misquoted these last couple days. Firstly, there's a question being asked by some as to 'why' this lunatic Lance was 'in' Jean's place when the police arrived there. This seems to have gotten misconstrued, first as often pointed out Jean lives in an 'apartment' type building not a house, and it was never said that he WAS in the apartment, it was said that he was standing in the doorway at one point, which I, not being nearly so cynical or suspicious, took immediately to mean, Lance standing in the door of the 'apt building' a fact which Jean I'm sure could have done little about regardless, then after it was stated that, Lance had ran away and "phoned" her while the police were with Jean and he threatened her at that time, saying she was as dead as her ferrets, to which the police responded by telling Jean "we just can't do anything", and incredibly, "it is only animals lady", also a situation over which I'd say Jean had no control whatsoever. IMHO if you have questions about how the police conducted this investigation, which is certainly appropriate, direct them to and at the authorities themselves not toward Jean. I also think that as far as whether I'd have had the 'presence of mind' as someone had mentioned here, to set about 'strangling' Lance whilst he stood in the doorway, I definetly would NOT have wasted my time in that pursuit but I would have been busy thinking about my ferrets and their sufffering and doing exactly what Jean was busy doing at the time, trying my best to remedy it and undo the horror around me. Then there's this thing with finances. An boy that's really something I think. Firstly, it might do well to remember, that this lady is not even on the Internet, let alone on the FML, and it was NEVER her idea to solicit help here, we 'offered' it to her. Second, in the matter of the rent, it was very clearly said in initial posts she was forced to 'use' her rent paying the emergency vet costs because of the slaughter, NOT that she was behind in her rent. Also, this occured on Nov 19/20 and FML never even knew about it until Nov 28/29 meanwhile, Jean already had to cope with WSU, her own vet, etc. on her own during that time, and gee I'm sure she wasn't just waitin round for us to come to her rescue, now some would like to find fault with her willingness to spend her own rent on these poor babies, I'm sorry, I don't get it? Why exactly? Somehow I doubt that this lady in any way deserved this to befall her an certainly not her fuzzies, as it's unlikely that she is guilty of some incredible conspiracy with Lance to defraud suscribers of the FML, I see only one perpetrator here and many many innocent victims, including Jean herself. I simply do not see at all, how our sudden knowledge of this disaster occuring to this individual should automatically permit us knowledge of her personal life whatever. And that which she has chosen to share with us should be respected and regarded as privilege. I would humbly suggest to any who are sincerely interested in the facts of this matter perhaps 'reread' the news stories and all of the FML posts concerning this since Dec 1st, You'll find as I have that many of these issues concerning Jean originated in the FML as 'questions' posed by posters rather than as the 'facts' being stated, now they are taking on a life of their own, simply 'asking' something don't make it a 'reality' when there is in fact, no basis of reality. One poster asks, "I heard there's a problem with rent is this true?" an next thing ya see "I read that this lady was 'behind' on her rent", I just don't think this lady deserves to be maligned now, by folks she doesn't even know just cause they 'offer' her help. The way I see it, it's either help or don't period, doing so or not dosen't give any right to intrude at all. Lastly I think too, some pretty capable and responsible people from FML did in fact visit this lady at her residence and also stated they'd discussed the situation with the authorities as well, I'm inclined to believe, that if anything HAD been wrong with Jean or her operations/fuzzies, we'd have heard about it from them! I did see where a vet who treated her babes expounded on their 'very good health' and stated there was NO evidence Jean was a collector. Why don't we just dwell on the 'facts'? Fightin Furiously Fer Ferrets Freedoms Ferris (Momma what's a pinion? Does I got one too?) Ms. Deba Brezden Director, Canada Chapter IFRIC [Posted in FML issue 2150]