If you know me, or if you've had the chance to look over my page, you already know the answer to this one. To me, the new MLPs are just as much a part of the MLP line as the originals. Just because they're in different molds, from a different year, with a different look, doesn't mean they aren't Little Ponies. As much as I don't like Hasbro sometimes, I try to go with what they consider MLPs -- after all, without Hasbro, MLPs wouldn't exist at all. Besides, if new MLPs are to be shunned for certain reasons, then those same disqualifications should apply to the rest of the line as well. If someone hates the '98s because they're skinny, for example, then they must also dislike Sweetheart Sisters. If it's because they're small or easily breakable, then shouldn't flutters be hated as well?

Sure, why not? I'd love to see them use both types of molds -- the new style would fit right in as the teenagers of the herd. Even if Hasbro returned to the original style tomorrow, there would still be complaints from pony collectors for this or that. Some people just need something to complain about.

No! If you're looking for unhealthy body images, attack Barbie, all right? I grew up with Barbies and ponies, and I never aspired to look like either one. When's the last time a little girl looked at her pony collection and said, "that's what I want to look like when I grow up!"?? If a girl's role model in appearance is a horse, then there are some deeper issues there. Besides, if we're going to delve into an issue as senseless as this, then the original MLPs were chubby, and that's no healthier than too skinny. Look at real horses -- they're usually very streamlined, with surprisingly thin legs. If you want girls to have a healthful equine image to look up to, give them Fashion Star Fillies. ;)

I always said yes until I got my first MIB, a rainbow Dream Beauty. Now I can only say that it's up to the individual collector. If I was lucky enough to find a pony I wanted still MOC or MIB, and I was able to purchase it for a reasonable price, then yes, I'd open it in an instant. But the prices most MOCs go for online are crazy. I can't justify purchasing a MOC for $80 just to rip it open. Unless it was Ice Crystal. ;)

I love this question. :) Of course, they're just little plastic ponies. They don't have feelings and emotions, at least not on our side of the rainbow. However, the reason some collectors have a hard time with this issue is that most people tend to project emotions onto the ponies. Most collectors will admit to talking to their ponies, at least occasionally. Most collectors "played ponies" as children, acting as if the ponies were alive. Most collectors can easily describe the "personalities" of their favorite ponies. Therefore, even though the ponies don't have emotions, it can sometimes feel as if they do. That's why so many people react to pony negativity with remarks like "you're hurting their feelings!"

Is it acceptable to tell someone who just made you dinner, "Ugh! This food tastes like garbage!" just because it does? Is it acceptable to tell your friend her new sweater is the ugliest thing you've ever seen just because it is? Is it acceptable to call a friend's favorite actor a "talentless pretty-boy moron" when that friend is in earshot? No? Than why is it acceptable to tell someone on a message board or mailing list that part of their collection is ugly, anorexic, worthless, and fake just because that's your opinion? You might not be attacking the person, but you're attacking something they love, and that's just as rude as any of the other examples I gave. You're free to have whatever opinion you want, but think for a moment about how and when you share it -- especially since we're dealing with children's toys! We have very young MLP-fans visiting our sites -- would you want your six-year-old sister/daughter/cousin/niece encountering some of the truly negative pony sites out there? Don't we have some sort of responsibility in how we are representing the pony line?