Posted by:
wstreps
at Mon Feb 4 07:33:15 2008 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by wstreps ]
" OR SOMEONE WHO IS INDEPENDANT and bases his or her argument on SCIENTIFIC facts not financial ones "
I see what your saying and agree we need the support of academics as well keepers. Many are both. The scientific facts support keepers. The problem is what is being presented at this time are not the scientific facts but ill founded doomsday scenarios and propaganda based campaigns laced with lies, erroneous information and scare tactics. People who come at you with fantasy numbers and apocalyptic claims as it was put are just what private keepers are up against. To law makers that don't have a back ground and understanding it all sounds believable. This also applies to the average non keeper and gains their support. It's the oldest political strategy in the book.
Exotic pet ownership has been a part of the Unite States culture for over a century. During the course of that time there has not been one instance of a boa or python species over taking an ecological system and decimating the native wildlife or creating a hazardous situation for the general public. The situation in the Everglades has been used as political launch pad for certain self serving groups and a diversionary tactic by others . The facts do not support the hype.
The people who champion the glades cause against the pythons are the same ones who supported bills to divert vital water ways and sided with the multi billion dollar sugar cane industry. The sugar cane industry has drained off portions of the glades and poisoned the system with toxic run off. Until recently this went virtually unchecked. Now that the long reaching effects are destroying water quality across the state and poss a threat one of the states major income sources tourism the microscope is being pointed at them. The pythons represent a feel good save the Glades diversion as well as providing a great opportunity for anti ownership activist to jump in. This is to once again get people to take their minds of the real issue and keep them in office.
The true facts surrounding exotic pet ownership show a statistically outstanding track record for safety. From all standpoints . Sensationalized story's escalate what are nothing more then isolated case's into appearing common place. These story's are blown way out of proportion by today's tabloid like reporting. Again the facts to not support the hype.
To answer the question " who should fight the ban " simple. EVERYONE . Dog and cat owners and associations , bird breeders, tropical fish enthusiast , everyone. While boas and pythons may be the current focus they represent a stepping stone. The objective of those who want to take them away is far greater and they will continue to relentlessly peruse their goals against all of us.
Ernie Eison
Westwoodreptiles .com
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RE: who should fight the ban - wstreps, Mon Feb 4 07:33:15 2008
