Perfect Pandas

31 responses so far ↓

• 1 Hellen // Nov 15, 2007 at 8:51 pm

  You list several “charities” to which you might give money, and then you list Pandas Unlimited. Not quite in the same league as those you mentioned that are actively and directly contributing to panda welfare.

• 2 Julie // Nov 15, 2007 at 10:07 pm

  While I certainly believe saving and protecting giant pandas in the wild through research and preservation is of the utmost importance, I also believe that providing pandas in captivity a meaningful and happy existence is imperative. While Pandas Unlimited itself is not a charity, they have started enrichment funds for every giant panda in the US.

  There is no question that science and research lead the way to preventing panda extinction, but without donations from the private sector none of it would be possible. Pandas in captivity are ambassadors of their species and help raise awareness to their plight. Visiting a panda as a child can spark a lifelong love of pandas. Or, as with me, seeing a panda baby grow and feeling a connection with them - if only through a webcam - can put into motion a whole new source for donations that may never have existed otherwise. Panda PR is just as important as scientific research.

  Also, it has been shown that unhappy pandas do not reproduce as readily or effectively as emotionally fulfilled pandas do, and we all know how important it is to propagate the species.

  Anyway, the point is: Though I can easily donate directly to a zoo through their donation page, I can also do it through Pandas Unlimited. The advantage being that they take absolutely no percentage of the money, and 100% of the money donated goes directly to the Giant Panda program instead of a general zoo fund. I have researched every charity/organization that I have listed as a possible recipient of proceeds from this website, and I firmly believe that they are all wonderful organizations that support the important task of saving the giant panda.

• 3 A Bit of Clarification // Nov 15, 2007 at 10:47 pm

  […] Our Story […]

• 4 Tara // Nov 18, 2007 at 7:40 am

  Julie, please don’t take Hellen’s criticism to heart. She was rude in a Panda’s Unlimited post a few months ago and was taken aback when other members didn’t agree with her condescending remarks. It’s quite obviously a personal reason for hating PU and has nothing to do with panda welfare.

• 5 Janet-2 // Nov 30, 2007 at 4:48 pm

  London

  Pandas Unlimited may not be structured as a charity but its members are being very charitable and generous in their contributions to the special Panda Enrichment Funds it has set up to directly benefit all the pandas in the US Zoos. That such Funds have allowed the NZ panda curator to purchase trees for the panda yard, let alone toys, is a very active direct contribution to the panda’s welfare. To see them having new trees to climb and thereby stimulate and exercise themselves is surely beneficial to their welfare.

  All the named charities are a worthwhile causes
  and each contribute great value in their own right in the interests of our beloved pandas.

  The difference with Pandas Unlimited is not that it is not charitable, for it is : rather, that all monies raised go directly towards the panda’s benefit and are not siphoned off to cover any administrative costs, salaries or other expenditures. All PU monies go directly to the Pandas and we PU members wouldn’t want it any other way.

  Thankyou Perfect Pandas for a great site!

• 6 The Truth // Dec 22, 2007 at 1:45 pm

  I beg to differ regarding Pandas Unlimited. While they have supported the NZ in the past, they have not supported SDZ or Memphis, and their support to ZA has been minimal, if any. In the recent past they collected over $2,000 to gift one of their admins with a Fuji camera, among other things, and honored her at a dinner in the panda house at the NZ. While they presented a check to the zoo, she elected to keep the money donated to her and buy a new camera, even though she had a perfectly good Canon Rebel. Additionally, she has been quite the turncoat on members who have assisted her in the past both with photos and privately (with things such as computer issues), slurred their names and banned them and over 100 other members from the PU site. The most recent banning was just a few days ago, and “outside forces” were again blamed. Admins like myself know the only way to get banned from a Flickr group is by a group admin - Flickr does not ban members.

  I’d seriously think about donating t this group.

• 7 Wondering // Dec 22, 2007 at 7:31 pm

  If Pandas Unlimited is a bonafide organization that takes donations….where can checks be sent to and who are the checks made out to?

  Listen to “The Truth”…..any money given to PU is mostly for the benefit of their “leader” who takes advantage of donations given to the National Zoo for the Giant Pandas. Donations to WWF or Pandas International are the best choices.

• 8 Hellen // Dec 22, 2007 at 8:09 pm

  Apparently I am considered too “rude” to have any valid comments. Funny, since Tara is referring to a post in which I was not actually rude, but pointed out that an individuals behavior may have in fact endangered the welfare of a panda. Is concern for an animal considered “rude”?

  This is yet another example of how people twist Pandas Unlimited into something ugly. Unfortunately, membership is more concerned with taking care of each other’s feelings than taking care of pandas.

  I stand by my original critique. If you want to support pandas, support the zoos directly or work with NGOs like WWF or Pandas International. PU is a cult of personality that has no direct link to supporting pandas.

  BTW, I have seen those enrichment fund drives in their lineup, and have spoken to a few people at one major panda zoo where they have no idea what money might ever have come from that group. So where is the money going, really?

• 9 Elsie // Dec 22, 2007 at 10:06 pm

  PU is a group that cares far more about what they get out of their “support” than the well-being and preservation of these highly endangered animals. For example: a recent Pandas Unlimited post stated that the poster was “happy that Mei Xiang rejected Gao Gao’s sperm”, because she would prefer that cubs be conceived from her favorite male than another male panda. Is this out of concern for the animal? Absolutely not, but it’s typical of the opinions of regulars on PU’s chat threads.

  Where are the powers-that-be on PU that should be responding to posts like this and offering accurate and factual statements? If a group is going to pass themselves off as an authority and “charity”, they need to be prepared to exercise some real knowledge and common sense as well.

  I absolutely would not contribute one penny to this group and would encourage others to fully research the individuals running this site, Pandas Unlimited (which is merely a small Flickr.com group). A domain lookup of perfectpandas.com shows no real names of the domain registrants.

  How about an “About Us” on this site? No one should be digging into their pockets unless full disclosure is given here.

• 10 Cathy // Dec 23, 2007 at 1:53 am

  You just launched this site and you are already asking for donations? Sounds like a 3 day old fish story to me.

• 11 Julie // Dec 23, 2007 at 3:14 am

  I wanted this site to be an open forum for panda lovers, so I tend to stay out of the conversation here. However, when my integrity is brought into question, I will not hesitate to set the record straight.

  First, I’d ask that if you’re going to criticize me for something, you should probably be positive I’m doing what you’re claiming. It doesn’t take long to read the entire post above, or even look around the site before jumping down my throat for something completely uncalled for, right? If you had taken the time to read a bit it is quite clear that this site:
  1) IS NOT A CHARITY
  2) IS NOT ASKING FOR DONATIONS FROM ANYONE

  However, when people are so quick to jump on the bandwagon to bash something they tend to ignore the facts written right before their eyes. I pay for the hosting and domain name of this site with my own money, nearly $100 a year, and I have never once asked for a donation. I added advertisements to the site to take advantage of the traffic coming here because I thought it would be a nice way to raise money for charity. I’m donating 100% of the revenue from the ads to a panda charity.

  This is apparently a HUGE point of conflict for some of you, and I addressed that in a post right after Hellen’s first comment. It’s even linked here in the responses to this post, but I am almost assured by the comments left since then, no one has even bothered to read it. If you’re so inclined, it’s here. See how it says I’m going to take a poll and see where you want the money donated? Quite frankly, I don’t care which charity gets it as long as it’s panda related.

  Now that I’ve cleared up the fact that I’m not asking anyone for any money, I’d like to address the next allegation. You’re right, my name and address is not available on a domain search, and it’s been perfectly displayed here why it’s not. People jump to conclusions and fail to use common sense when they’re upset, regardless of the validity. I mean, honestly, I thought it was pretty clear from my post that I am not asking for donations, but many of you have failed to see that. I can’t imagine what some of you would’ve done with my information, seeing as my site sounds like ‘a 3 day old fish story’ and some of you seem to harbor a lot of animosity to a site I mentioned in passing as a possible recipient to funds that haven’t even been raised yet.

  Frankly, I’m not a charity, I’m just a woman who likes pandas and wanted to spread the love. Why do you need my name and address? If you even bothered to read the posts I’ve made you could’ve easily found out plenty about me.

  For instance:
  My name is Julie
  I’m 28.
  I’m single.
  I’m a mechanical and aerospace engineer.
  I live in Colorado.
  I like math.
  I drove 4,000 miles round trip to DC for Tai Shan’s 1st birthday.
  My sister in law collects salt and pepper shakers.

  See how ridiculously easy that was? Or, if you were really that concerned about who I am, you could’ve asked. I’m a nice person, I would’ve gladly told you. I’m in no way affiliated with Pandas Unlimited except that I joined because it was a Flickr group about pandas. From my Flickr profile, you can see I’ve joined lots of groups like that.

  So, I hope that I have cleared up any misconceptions about me that many of you apparently have. The truth of the matter is this: I did not force you to come here, I am not asking you for money, I just wanted to share cute panda things with people I thought would enjoy them. I’m not profiting in anyway from this site, and if I never raised a dime for charity, I’d still do it because I think it’s fun. Unfortunately, it’s not as fun as it once was because now my morals and integrity have been called into question and I’m accused of being a liar and a thief.

• 12 Catbelly // Dec 23, 2007 at 7:25 pm

  Julie, many of us are into pandas and truly supporting the zoos, Pandas International and all research connected to them. I can’t begin to tell you the good works many of the private groups I’m associated with have done - from purchasing many of the enrichment items you see on the cams to outright fully adopting cubs in China - the list goes on. I think if you knew some of the things that have occurred to some of the panda loving people who supported PU and their past efforts, you might think twice about referencing that site. Your integrity isn’t called into question but rather a site that you mention. There are over 100 people who have been banned from that site for various reasons - they started or joined other panda sites, they didn’t worship the admins or, heaven forbid, speak to people the admins don’t like. Some of the nicest people from around the world and even people associated with the zoos were banned! Yes, it is very childish and stupid but that is what you are dealing with. Many like myself opted to quit before we were banned because it was against my integrity to watch people treated like dirt. And since I have witnessed many of their inconsistencies at the zoo, I’m not jumping on a bandwagon to bash them - it’s a first person account.

  I wish you the best on your site but as you can see, you have referenced a sore point for many of us - kinda like when you donate to a big group and later find out that the money goes to 6-7 figure salaries, big mansions and luxury cars and trips.

• 13 Wondering // Dec 23, 2007 at 8:01 pm

  I agree with everything that Catbelly just said Julie. I was not attacking you, nor your choice of giving to a worthy panda cause. However, I was unhappy with the mentioning of PU being a possible receipient of your generousity.

  If you have a poll for the donations when the time comes please also include the zoos in the US that currenty care for Giant Pandas. I belong to other panda groups that have given to those zoos and to organizations that spend the money on medical needs and milk for the nursing babies in Wolong Reserve, China. There are so many great causes that really help in the conservation of Giant Pandas.

  Thank you for sharing your thoughts and a little bit about you (LOL) as people are just curious who has started such a panda loving site.

  BTW…I too live in Colorado.

• 14 Tai Shan, Sooperpanna! // Dec 23, 2007 at 8:38 pm

  Hewoo Ebberbunny,
  First of awl, dis sooperpanna wantsta wish a Mewwy KissMoose to ebberbunny!

  Julie, dere hab been a wot of hoomins dat hab done some beary selfish fings in da name of supportin us pannas, and wots and wots of dere victums get a widdle ’spishus when da name of da gwoup dat dese fins happened at is menshuned.

  Da bestest fing dat you can do wif any munny you get is send it to Pannas Internashinul, or buy me wots and wots of appows (mmmmmmm, asppows!) and fwootsickows! :: waffin and waffin ::

• 15 Queenie // Dec 23, 2007 at 9:35 pm

  PLEASE give directly to the four USA zoos that have pandas and make sure to designate your donations to “Panda Enrichment” so that the funds go where we all hope they do.

  I agree with all the statements made about Pandas Unlimited, and would like to add that the zoos do not take PU seriously. PU lost any credibility long ago due to the constant second-guessing by amateurs (many of whom have never laid eyes on a panda beyond an internet cam), and the disgusting harrassment of the panda keepers through phone calls and letters. This broderline psychotic behavior is what passes for caring about pandas by PU. AVOID this organization.

  Love your blog, Julie. Please keep up the good work!

• 16 Pam G // Dec 23, 2007 at 11:50 pm

  Thank you, Julie, for originating another web site that seeks to help the Pandas. These incredible and beautiful bears deserve all the help, understanding, and support we can give.
  You must be amazed (and rather hurt, I would think) that the mention of PU has drawn such fire.
  Two years ago PU was a fun site full of bright, funny people who were, for the most part, motivated to learn about the bears and to help raise money for the zoos and organizations dedicated to their preservation. Many visited the zoos with Pandas, posted great photos and stories of their trips, researched and posted informative articles, and thought up ways to raise money for the bears….money which was donated in the name of Pandas Unlimited. Unfortunately, PU was slowly taken over by a group who somehow developed a sense of entitlement concerning the zoos: Some members who were highly emotional about Pandas began to criticize the zoos’ handling of the bears - especially the weaning process - and not only posted emotionally charged statements about how “sad” the mothers and cubs were, but suggested that zoo personnel should be contacted and, in essence, questioned about their Panda management practices. One PU member went so far as to state that, as PU had raised so much money for the bears, the zoos should listen to what its members had to say about Panda management.
  As an engineer, I suspect that you have respect for solid research and facts, as do many of us who are former members of PU. Those of us not blinded by emotion found the idea of amateurs harassing zoo personnel about their professional practices quite distasteful, and said so on the PU blogs. Because we argued that their belief that the bears were somehow suffering terribly was emotional rather than factual, some of us were banned for posting “rude” comments. Many of us quit, preferring not to be ass0ciated with the rather hysterical atmosphere at PU. Other groups were formed. And eventually, those of us who had joined other groups were subject to a mass banning by the PU admins.
  The behavior of some PU members has caused the zoos to be wary of the organization and to suspect its credibility. For that reason, I would urge you to encourage people to donate directly to the zoos and groups like PI and the WWF, rather than funnel the money through PU.
  You are trying to do good things here, Julie, and I applaud your effort. Please be careful about aligning yourself with a group that has somehow gone so far astray from its original purpose.

• 17 Hellen // Dec 24, 2007 at 12:21 am

  Julie, I just want to add two comments:

  1- I appreciate you clearing up who you are. In your follow up post to my first comment, I never made the connection that you were responsible for this site. I just figured you were someone else who visited who left a comment.

  2- I appreciate that you are willing to host this discussion. Its not all roses and peaches but such is life. I am glad you are willing to allow this discourse without censorship. It says a lot about you.

• 18 thnerkie // Dec 26, 2007 at 9:32 pm

  PUkers are, at the very least batshit crazy. they give loonies a bad name.

  also…all those mysterious bannings? why is no other flickr group having that problem. some admin over at puke has a hissy fit and starts mass banning and blaming it on some mysterious flickr gremlins.

  buncha pendejas!

  have a good day!

• 19 Catbelly // Dec 29, 2007 at 3:48 pm

  To all true panda lovers….may your 2008 be happy and healthy and filled with all things panda! If you can’t visit and support a “panda zoo”, be sure to support your local zoos!

• 20 Fran // Dec 29, 2007 at 5:13 pm

  Julie, where in Colorado are you?

• 21 Fran // Jan 3, 2008 at 3:31 am

  Happy New Year to you and to all the people who love and support pandas!

• 22 Kitty // Jan 6, 2008 at 9:52 pm

  Julie,
  I am a member of PU, mostly a lurker. I have donated to all of PU’s fundraising, yet have never made a check out to Pandas Unlimited, only to the zoos. I also support the four zoos directly via adoptions of the pandas, memberships, etc. During the weaning process some of the people who posted here were extremely rude to members who were expressing opinions about weaning. One disgruntle former member created flickr groups that were very offensive and which were eventually removed. I see that that person left a comment here. The collection for the camera was not on PU, but another group created by a former PU member. The dinner at the panda house was for Tai’s birthday, not for the recipient of the camera.
  Before the former members criticize, they should check their facts.

• 23 Catbelly // Jan 8, 2008 at 2:57 am

  Kitty, obviously you weren’t on PU from its inception like some of us so I’d advise YOU to get the facts straight. And a few of us former members have created private groups that are quite active, support not only the zoos but other groups, and expect nothing in return.

  The collection for the camera was made by PU members who were then ceremoniously kicked out almost immediately after the camera was received. Not only that, but the recipient found it necessary to call a few of the people who worked very hard on the surprise and from what they told me, she was not very nice, nor did she ever thank them for their hard work. It has been confirmed that a member of that group leaked the suprise to the recipient who then started leaving hints on PU that resulted in a spike in donations.

  Once again, I don’t want to see this as a mud flinging site, especially since Julie has nothing to do with anything that has occurred. I think PU forgets that the site was created for panda lovers to share their love of this critically endangered species, along with their photos and stories of their visits, and not for the elitist ego that it has become. If PU wants to be the biggest, they win hands down. But don’t put down the other groups who share their love and devotion to the pandas, and please stop stalking the members with snide remarks at the zoo and with emails. Enough already.

• 24 Pandawatcher // Jan 8, 2008 at 10:32 pm

  Wow, Meow”kitty”cat, you just can’t let go, can you.

  Obviously PU is breeding legions of paranoid hate mongers. Their mantra is “everyone else is being rude”. What a great place it must be.

• 25 Catbelly // Jan 9, 2008 at 2:38 am

  To all the panda watchers….isn’t little Ms. Zhen Zhen a hoot? She is so different than Su Lin. I didn’t know about the cams when Hua Mei and Mei Sheng were toddlers so I can’t compare her to her siblings.

• 26 Fran // Jan 13, 2008 at 2:09 am

  Julie, thanks for always posting the most unique and fun Panda items. I have a small, cute panda item that is inexpensive. How can I send a pic to you (if you’re interested)?

• 27 Janet-2 // Feb 1, 2008 at 1:19 am

  Although much of the above vicious gossip and rumour about Pandas Unlimited is incorrect and untrue, I would suggest Julie that you donate any monies to panda causes as you see fit and in a way that makes you happiest.

  For the record here are the true facts: (if anyone can’t take then, then tough)

  FACT: Pandas Unlimited is now raising funds for 4 zoos: National Zoo, DC; Memphis Zoo, San Diego Zoo and Atlanta Zoo.

  FACT: The Dinner at the Panda House, NZ, last year was not in honour of the creator of PU as suggested: it was a members reunion dinner in honour of Tai’s Birthday. And, it honoured the memory of a staunch PU member who had died of cancer.

  FACT: The creator of PU did not elect to keep the money donated to her to buy a new camera instead of giving it to the National Zoo Fund.
  The two Funds were entirely seperate: the former to express thanks to the creator for all her hard work in establishing and sustaining PU: the latter to go direct to the benefit of the pandas. Incidentally, the use of that camera has since generated a considerable amount of funds which have been directly ploughed back into the pandas and not into the pocket of the camera operator.

  FACT: Any money given to PU does NOT go to the benefit of the creator of PU. That’s absolute rubbish. It goes directly to the benefit of the pandas I can absolutely assure you.

  FACT: People were not banned from PU because they didn’t worship its creator. What a stupid suggestion. It was spelt out to them very clearly as to why they were banned yet they remain in denial about their own behaviour causing this.

  FACT: Some of the commentators above clearly demonstrate that they had little patience and respect for the right of others to express a point of view even if they didn’t happen to agree with it.

  And the trouble with using the name of the Zoos to bash Pandas Unlimited and make out it has no credibility with them is this: it totally ignores what is actually going on behind the scenes between the zoos and PU and, it is hyping up something that might seriously rebound on the zoos. I can think of one member of zoo staff who is seriously bringing her zoo into disrepute by her behaviour online. What an utterly stupid thing to do!

  If anyone is unsure of their facts about PU as is illustrated above I’ll be quite happy to put them right.

• 28 fed-up // Feb 1, 2008 at 4:48 pm

  I would like to thank Janet-2 for her comments in response to the hysterical rantings concerning
  PU from those who feel slighted that their ‘highly emotional’ opinions on zoos had to be considered above anyone else’s and therefore became belligerent and abusive about Pu’s neutral stance.
  Just to add many respected animal welfare groups have criticised said zoos for their treatment of animals in the past.

• 29 Will // Feb 14, 2008 at 3:44 pm

  I hope you don’t get frustrated and take down the site, Julie - I really enjoy it. But it’s frustrating, and I totally understand if you do. Let’s all stop talking about it now and get back to looking for awesome panda stuff.

• 30 Fran // Feb 27, 2008 at 5:12 am

  Would you guys really like to help the pandas? Reeallly? Then take a few seconds to click on the ads on this website.

  It even gives a running count so you can see how much your clicks are helping! And no, I do not have anything to do with this website other than enjoying the heck out of looking at all the things I wish I could buy!

• 31 Chet // Apr 13, 2008 at 7:08 am

  Hellen on Dec 22, 2007 at 8:09 pm said:

  “… a post in which I was not actually rude, but pointed out that an individuals behavior may have in fact endangered the welfare of a panda. Is concern for an animal considered “rude”?”

  Oh, I remember that. I was the individual you were referring to.

  I went back to the discussion thread that you were referring through and read all the posts on it. It was great to be reminded of my visit to Wolong!

  Below is the clarification I posted in response to your concerns:

  “Dear all

  I was travelling all of today, starting from 5:30 a.m. to go to the airport at Chengdu for my flight to Guangzhou and then onward for the flight home. I touched down at 7:00 p.m., and only just got home after going to my sister’s for dinner and to collect my car (I left it there for the duration of my trip).

  I have been thinking about my original post, and realised that I left out quite a few things which has resulted in some concern from hellen of sparta and mytaiboy.

  Yes, initially I was not allowed to see Hua Mei. By “see”, they thought I wanted a close-up visit. Then, I was assigned to a keeper who looks after another new mother, Hai Zhi. I was fully briefed on the limits - as a volunteer, I was not allowed to enter the mother’s room but waited outside while the regular keeper went in to clean and put fresh bamboo for the mother. Together with Ken, another volunteer assigned to the same keeper, we waited at the door and took from the regular keeper the leftover bamboo, and whatever other duties he gave us in the area outside the room, e.g., sweep the floor outside the room, hose it down, wash the walls, wipe the windows, etc.

  All the expectant and new mothers are housed in the same area inside Wolong. Each of them has her own room. Each room has a door leading to an outside enclosure. Most of the expectant mothers are let out to their outside enclosure daily while their keepers clean the inside. The new mothers do not go out as they have to take care of their newborn. Next to the main section of their rooms is a smaller area that the keepers lead them to while the main section is cleaned. The bond between Huang, the keeper I was assigned to, and Hai Zhi, the new mother he cares for, is one of trust - I have seen with my own eyes how Hai Zhi waits in the smaller area while Huang cleans the main area, with her baby in his corner. She did not make noise but has absolute trust in Huang.

  Now, Hua Mei has a room in this “mother” area of Wolong. After I was given my volunteer duties which allowed me access to this area, I worked out which room Hua Mei was in, and went over to see her. It so happened Dr Wang came along as I was outside the room, and he confirmed that it was her room.

  At no time did I sneak over to visit Hua Mei, but openly walked over, sometimes with other keepers nearby or walking past when I was standing by the window to her room.

  This is not a matter of saving face, as hellen of sparta said. These are precious giant pandas’ lives. If at any time I gave cause to Dr Wang or the other keepers to doubt my capabilities as a volunteer, I am sure they would have told me so.

  I would not use the word “proud” to describe my visits with Hua Mei. A more appropriate word is “honoured”, and I just wanted to share it with all of you, especially as some of you asked me to send her hugs and kisses. I’m sorry my visits with Hua Mei upset some of you. Thank you, hellen of sparta and mytaiboy, for voicing your concerns. Please accept my apologies for not being more detailed in my original post. I hope this clarifies things a little more.

  marilyngiantpanda - sorry, but I did not take any pictures of Hua Mei. We are not allowed to take pictures while working, except with the permission of our masters, as the keepers we’re assigned to are calIed. I do have a picture of her younger twin, held up by her pandananny inside the nursery while we stood outside and took pictures in the presence of Dr Wang.

  mytaiboy - I don’t think you need to worry about the volunteer programme being “disturbed”. When I was there, there was a big group from Australia, a smaller group from Wales, a couple of other individuals who went there on their own like me. Plus the day before I left, a woman from Australia arrived and she was there on her own, too. And the last morning I stopped by to collect my certificate, there was a new group of almost 10 about to start their volunteer work there.

  The volunteer programme at Wolong is an evolving and learning programme for everyone involved. I’m sure if there are any slips in the programme, the slips would be used to help make the programme even better. It’s a great programme on two fronts - for Wolong, it’s a great opportunity to open up their facilities to outsiders for a first hand look at what they do, and for panda lovers, an awesome experience to actually get to work in Wolong, and do some of what the keepers there do.

  Yes, I got to scoop panda poop - pretty solid stuff, easy to sweep up. ”

  And here’s your reply:

  “Thank you to Chet for clarifying the events of her time in Wolong. The new details provided show a more complete picture of things and helps me to feel much better about her experiences there. I appreciate that you took the time to make these clarifications Chet.

  I think that is a great way to deal with questions or concerns raised by a PU member, as opposed to making accusations about motivations for having any concerns. I would hope PU can sustain some well reasoned dialogue on issues brought up here. We do not all have to blindly say “yes!” to everyhting that is ever posted here, do we?”

  From your reply, I believe my reply helped to reassure you, and in the end, we came to an understanding.

  The full discussion can be read here:
  http://www.flickr.com/groups/pandasunlimited/discuss/72157602018445023/

Leave a Comment