<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> Hello List: I've been on this list for 2 years now. I love the list and feel that it has been 90-95% of my source of information regarding celiac. When I first signed on the list, I just listened for about 6 months. I soaked in all the knowledge I could. I had some questions, but I was scared off by some of the responses people would give. I would read a summary of someone that had asked questions. Many of them would note something that someone on the list said to them. People can be very harsh. So, for the fear of what I might get if I asked the wrong question, I didn't write for 6 months. I am still, to this day, careful of what I write for that same fact. Now, mind you, I'm not made of glass and I won't break. But, I worried more what I might say to that person that would be willing to be so rude to me on a list that's supposed to be helpful. One personal experience: I read an e-mail once where someone had asked a very, very personal question. It started a huge debate on the list. Someone on our list told that person they should've never asked the question. For the first time, I responded. I wrote that person and kindly said that she shouldn't discourage people from asking questions. Some questions do start a debate, which lasts a while. And appropriately, one of the list owners will put an end to it. But that debate will have at least made people think. When I told the person that I didn't think she should discourage that person from asking the question, she told me that she had a degree in psychology and felt qualified to write her e-mail the way she did. So, we disagreed on that subject. I don't want to start a flood of e-mails on this subject. I notice there's been a few going on regarding accurate information. I do believe the information that people give should be backed up or stated as an opinion and not fact. However, this list is here for us. It is here to help everyone. It is my belief that everyone on this list should be able to ask whatever they feel like and not be ridiculed for it. I know of several former list members, former because of the squabbles that go on. I'll try not to babble but I'd like to end with these two thoughts: 1) People, especially newcomers, may ask questions that the "old-timers" may feel is ridiculous. I think they should delete instead of respond viciously. The people that are writing these are "newcomers". When you're first diagnosed, your head spins for several months. It takes a while to get a grip on this new lifestyle. So, please just delete the message instead of saying something hurtful to that newcomer. 2) It took me several months to realize that manufacturers might know that there product is gluten-free. It didn't happen right away with me. I just thought I had to rely on the ingredients and if it had something like modified food starch and I didn't know the source, then I just couldn't have it. So, be kind to those that ask if something is gluten-free. I believe that many of them aren't lazy, but it just hasn't clicked that you can call the food companies. When I made my first call, I was shocked that this particular manufacturer had a gf list. From there it just multiplied. I have a huge binder now of all those that I called. Remember, though, it took a while for me to figure that out. I won't babble anymore other than to say, that I hope this doesn't spawn another debate. I love this list, yet am always hurt for that person that has to receive a rude e-mail from someone on our list. I'm embarrassed when that happens. We're here to help each other. If you don't want to help, then just delete. ;-) Sidona/San Diego