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Message: <blockquote data-quote="AlexC" data-source="post: 1712051" data-attributes="member: 27416">I was thinking more along the lines of "close-minded" or "egocentric" - someone who demands the last word in an open dialogue.In all seriousness though I don't want to turn this discussion into personal attacks. I stand by my convictions, and it seems pretty clear that most contributors on this thread have their minds made up. It's just a shame that so many barreled on with their rants making assumptions without actually reading the position of the opposition.What makes this discussion most frustrating to me is the imbalance of respect. I respect Fugl and Jos's position and I understand their reasoning, but I disagree with them. I find it hard to believe that Fugl could drudge up the same respect for someone whose position he referred to as "twaddle," "nonsense," cowardly," and "indefensible."I live my life by logic and reason, and I don't dismiss viewpoints on a whim. I press people for why they hold their opinions, because for all I know they may have better reasoning than me. The best part of the mind is one's ability to change it through gaining knowledge and experience. Some of my best friends are my political polar opposite, but we're friends because we can break down our viewpoints to one another in a civilized, respectful manner.Here's what I'm getting at: Despite mentioning it many times, I still have yet to hear back on why you guys feel that an average North American, ignorant in regards to small passerines, has the ability to evaluate the health state of a wild bird about which they know nothing. The good will? Of course! But the ability? (Just a quick refresher, guys - that kinglet died. Not of the cold, but what sounds like unintentional starvation.)</blockquote>

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