this will be my last posting to Tweeters. The exclusion of topics that
are so central to the activism that is now required to "save our world" is
discouraging and, frankly, my time is too valuable. I want to know
where/when birds are seen, but I also want the issues about ecology and
community structure, sociobiology, agriculture, habitat conservation,
human population pressure, and human - natural world conflicts of many
categories that affect flora and fauna, birds included and at large.

There are bunches of good people on this list, and some are breathtakingly
intellectually courageous. I applaud you and have grown from the
spirited exchanges on this list. The acrimony made me wince sometimes,
but the substance (or lack thereof) of some posts during our controversial
threads was enlightening indeed. Yep, some folks have not always been as
polite as they could have been, but these are key issues underlying
survival of our avifauna, indeed our Earth. There is so much at stake!

It is probably more 'pleasant' to have a 'birdwatcher stuff only'
newsgroup restriction, and there are other newsgroups that post field and
feeder reports only. I access these myself to find out what's
being seen where. That's fine for Tweeters also, and enjoy. And, there
are additional Internet avenues for those of us who are exiting
affiliation with this group to access our regional Rare Bird Reports. So
long to you all and thanks for a wonderful few years!

Cheers,
Maureen Ellis me2 at u.washington.edu U of WA & Burien-Seahurst Park, WA
*************************************
"Finding the occasional straw of truth awash in a great ocean of
confusion and bamboozle requires vigilance, dedication, and courage."
-Carl Sagan-

"We are confronted with insurmountable opportunities." -Pogo-