Just to set the record straight once and for all. Margaret Merchant is completely out of line in describing my medical problems considering she first described it incorrectly, second, I haven't seen her since last August (and only then briefly in passing) so she would have absolutely no idea of what I look like or my current condition, and third, although we may reside in the same community, we are not social nor any other form of friends. Her last post left the implication that she knew me, knew about my medical condition, and we were at least social friends. This is not the case, for personal reasons that are absolutely no ones' business, so don't even ask. For future clarification, consider any remark Margaret may make about me as *completely* onesided. Making this statement has been extremely difficult for me, for as anyone who has ever met me knows, I have one of those personalities that *likes* almost everyone, and I usually work hard to bridge gaps between groups. FML members have heard me many times argue against personal comments and even flame people for making them. You've even heard me poke fun at the existing clubs for their bickering and lack of cohesion. My goal on the FML has always been for improvement of the conditions our ferrets live in, which I work very hard towards. It pains me deeply to cause *any* type of a division which would detract from those goals, which is why until now, I have refrained from commenting on her remarks concerning me. The differences between myself and Margaret are unbridgable and private. I will not take any comments meant to smooth our relationship in a positive way, so please don't send a single post asking why or trying to help. As for Margaret, I have nothing against her, her care of ferrets, or her ferret posts, and no one should regard my personal desire not to have a social relationship as an indication that I think her ferret views are incompatible with this list. I have absolutely no objections to her posts, so long as they do not include personal information about me that can only be the result of fantasy or imagination. Just to make it clear to everyone, there is absolutely *NO* relationship of any kind at any time nor of any degree between Margaret and me, nor will there ever be, nor did one ever exist past the realm of casual friendship. That friendship ended more than a year ago. I hope she has a good life, and I wish her success with her ferrets. Robert R. Church (AKA: Bob C and 20 Mo Ferrets) [Moderator's note: OK, I hope setting the record straight is ONCE -- this would be off-topic, but as a clarification, it's OK as a one-time post. BIG] [Posted in FML issue 2183]