Ah, mink...that was it (very closely related to weasels and ferrets)...Mustelid Family. Oh man, you are so right about mass entertainment being horribly dull without artistic license. I'm so glad I don't know much about medicine, law, or law enforcement for that reason.

I remember my husband reading a total escapist novel I'd recommended, and freaking out during a brief section regarding peregrine falcons and falconry. It WAS really ridiculous (the author informed us that "only the female peregrine hunts" WTF??!!? and many other unbelievably inaccurate crap). Thing was, I was happy to suspend disbelief and enjoy the book. Husband has never gotten over that page or two and makes fun of the book whenever he sees it.

He's a raptor biologist, needless to say. LOL.

Re: microwave, hey... if you could actually carry it that distance even if it was 30 lbs, my hat's off to you.

Nice political post, btw.