I wrote this for yesterday's FML, and found that my mailer must've killed it on exiting my pooter (lovely pooter...nice pooter <snap>) So, I thought I'd send it in again... Jeff wrote about some of the flames, negative and cruel mail some people have received after posting to the FML, and I wished to add my piece here. First... no-one, NO-ONE deserves to be told that having one of their precious furbabies die SERVES THEM RIGHT! They may have posted something that others didn't like, they may have posted something that was wrong, or right, or somewhere in the middle. If you didn't like or agree with their post, either write to them and tell they your point of view on the subject (and that does not mean to say "you're wrong, I'm right - never post again or I'll send you hate mail for the rest of your life"). If you don't want to email the person directly, or don't have the sheer *guts* to let people know who you are, then blow it off. Most things here are opinion. If you don't like an opinion, that's good, everyone is different, but please don't try to force your opinions down other peoples' throats. THIS is *my* opinion, and you are all free to disagree with me at will. Everyone has biases somewhere. It's a part of being human. This colours, somewhat, how you read, receive any posts sent by them. For instance, if one person posts often in an inflammatory way, and in one post all they do is give out good information, they'll get backlash for that post. Not because of anything they said in that post, but because the perception of what their normal 'style' is. Jeff also added in his post that he'd like to see a stop to the 'bickering and back stabbing'. Personally, I feel that things have improved a lot since shortly before Christmas, and would sincerely love to see a continuation of that trend. I know that many people are trying hard to help make the FML back into the family that supports and consoles one another. Every 'family' fights though, and with OUR family of over 2900 members, there are surprisingly few 'clashes'. It would be nice to be able to see people express their views and opinions here freely, and to receive intelligent responses back. My opinion, although some responses were a little heated, I thoroughly enjoyed reading the "ferrets bite/don't bite" thread, and feel that if we can handle this (touchy) subject with such aplomb, then we're on the road to being a much better place for learning about our furbabies. Sam Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. Margaret Mead If everyone got together ferrets would be treated fairly. [Posted in FML issue 2196]