I never thought I'd see the day I would be disagreeing with Bob Church... well, sort-of anyway. Regarding Ed... Keep in mind, I consider myself a 150%, card-carrying member of the ACLU, freedom of speech extremist. BUT, as you (Bob C.) yourself mentioned, this is a mailing list about FERRETS. I think (as I think many others on the list probably do) that some of the "issues" Ed brings up are only in the most peripheral sense "about" ferrets and really about other subjects (ie, women giving birth to other species, eating unusual carnivores, etc.) and appear to be clearly INTENDED to provoke the list. I think if anyone else besides Ed posted these kind of messages, they might not be allowed in the first place (I may be wrong, but I think BIG has bent over so far backward for Ed that he must have a live-in chiropracter). For instance, If I were to post my personal musings about abductions by extra-terrestrials and and then mentioned that I thought my ferrets had been abducted, I would hope my message would not be posted; not because it is outrageous or controversial, but because the responses it would elicit would have little or nothing to do with ferrets and a lot to do with people's belief (or disbelief ) in extra-terrestrials. In other words, I don't think just ANY personal rumination, even if it is obtusely related to ferrets, is appropriate for this forum. There are plenty of other forums (thank goodness for free speech on the internet!) for everyone's personal preferences (I belong to a straw bale house list, a pre-columbian languages list, and a Yamaha motorcycle list in addition to the FML). I guess It just feels (notice I said "feels") like Ed sits back and wonders what he can say next to offend or baffle fellow FML readers and then remembers to insert the word "ferret" into his post somewhere in order to make sure it gets through. You (Bob) have certainly expounded some pretty controversial stuff on this list, but I don't think anyone doubts your sincerity or thinks you are JUST out to "stir things up." Finally, let me unequivocally state that I am NOT promoting Ed be banned from the list (actually, MOST of his posts are on topic). Perhaps his off topic/inflammatory "musings" should not even be removed (only BIG can make that decision). BUT I certainly don't think he should be excused so easily. I only wish outraged and irritated FML'ers would simply NOT RESPOND to his clearly off-the-wall posts since angry responses probably only increase his sense of importance and encourage him to post more (learned in FlameBaiters 101)!! Pocha in Ca [Moderator's note: True, I usually would rather err on the side of letting too much information through than to prevent people from having their say, but the decision-making process is constantly being refined. BIG] [Posted in FML issue 2725]