I know many folks here don't understand why it would be worthwhile to spend all this time and space debating cats and hogs -- when, after all, this is a PYTHON forum.

Well, here's the simple one-word answer (followed by a long discussion): CREDIBILITY.

When you are trying to convince people of something -- in this case, convincing people that the python ban is "a bad thing" -- it's important to be CREDIBLE. If people believe that you are telling the truth about one thing (for instance, cats and hogs), then they are more likely to believe that you are telling the truth about another thing (for instance, the python ban).

OTOH -- if you get caught making one claim that is NOT true, then people will start to wonder what ELSE you might not be telling the truth about. In the long run, making a false claim about one small part of your arugment may end up losing supporters for your "big picture" argument.

So -- if you want people to support you, and to believe you when you say that the python ban is "a bad thing", then you need to be very very careful about the claims you make. Don't ever make a claim that you can't prove to be true. If you BELIEVE something, but you don't actually KNOW whether it's true or not, then admit that it is simply your OPINION. And if you get caught making a claim that turns out to be false, then don't waste everyone's time getting defensive and blustering about it. Simply admit to your mistake, correct it, and move on.

CREDIBILITY is the foundation of converting people to your cause. Work to BUILD that credibility. Don't squander it by saying things that aren't true.
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0.1 Peruvian rainbow boa (Amaru)
2.0 Brazilian rainbow boas (TBA)
0.3 Honduran milksnakes (Chicchan, Chanir, Hari)
2.6 corns (Cetto, Tolosa, TBA)
1,000,000.1,000,000 other critters

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