The ADN follow up to our 9/29/96 story, called 'Pepper Spray?, Bad Bet' (10/96) included wildlife biologists explaining bear spray does not work on black bears "due to a unique protective mucous coating". Black bears attack and kill most frequently in British Columbia. The reintroduction of grizzlies into the Cascades, presently under consideration, makes the issue one of public safety in Washington now, yet the Seattle Times and Bellingham Herald will not publish my letters warning bear spray should not be one's sole defense. Instead, years ago the Seattle Times sabotaged my efforts by rejecting my letter while *using* me as a source to be made to look foolish in an article and then ridiculed in a letter published in the Times. All of which has continued to show up online as a means of maligning my position.