I'm not optimistic about the future of the hobby, but I don't agree with your view of it all. "We the people" are the government, at least in theory. If enough people voice their opinions, publicly expose the anti-reptile propoganda for what it really is, and help Joe Public overcome his irrational fears, then there's a glimmer of hope. I firmly believe that many of these anti-herp laws are passed in the first place because overall the herp community is not vocal, much less organized. And as far as educating the public, I believe that at this point in time, EVERY herp owner/breeder should do something to help "reptile haters" to overcome their fears, whether it be a presentation at a local school or simply showing the neighbors and explaining reality. All people see on TV these days is idiots chasing cobras, black mambas and giant pythons/anacondas, so it's no wonder people are afraid of snakes in general.

I don't think this is false hope. Might be a long shot, but it's not false hope.

There's no hope at all if we just give up because "the man" will beat us down. We are "the man."

Thanks,
Ed


>>IM not taking the cry baby roll just trying to make sense of why everyone seems to think the gov cares about us, as I said below our neighbors dont want us living on the same blocks our town halls bans us at the first mention of reptiles and our states pass all kinds of stupid for some reason people still think the gov cares and wants to be fair to us
>>
>>is it just false hope people are holding onto or is there something im not seeing?
>>
>>and as far as the tax money thing go to any reptile show in the country at best people probally pay taxes on $100 for every 10k that goes through a show, ive been doing shows almost none stops since the early 90's so yes I have a very good handle on what is going on with the money going through these shows and my point is IM not the only one who sees it
>>
>>
>>
>>>>Name a single person who doesn't pay tax's . We're all Tax payers and the people who are involved with reptiles comprises a wide cross section of society. Everyone from business professionals to the kid that works part time at the grocery store. Your saying the Government knows there's money here and their not seeing it ? When people make money they spend money. That's what the Government knows . The money that is put into circulation via the exotic animal trade is diverse and effects a broad range of everyday society . This is a very important point that had to be made. The bottom line, when people spend money the government sees it. Private owners SPEND a lot of money.
>>>>
>>>>It was also important that a large number of tax paying law abiding citizens keeping exotics who oppose unfounded and restrictive legislation took the time to voice their opinion .
>>>>
>>>>Honesty it seems that the people who complain the most contribute the least. One thing is certain sitting in a corner whining about how unfair the world is will accomplish absolutely nothing. How can anyone be so paranoid as to think the USFW was trying to assemble some type of plot so that they could kick down the door in the middle of the night. I have nothing to hide............an nether do any of the hundreds of thousands of private owners who legally maintain reptiles and would like to defend their right to do so.
>>>>
>>>>We were given an opportunity to speak up on our own behalf. Personally I have and will always stand up for myself regardless of it I think the odds are with me or not. I'd much rather do what I can and if I go down I'll go down swinging as oppose to playing the crybaby role.
>>>>
>>>>Ernie Eison
>>>>Westwoodreptiles.com
>>-----
>>I love my country but I'm scared to death of its government
>>Ya believe what you read cause it's all that we give ya
>>Cause all of history is written by winners
>>I'm engaged in a frenzy of mass self-destruction
>>I feed upon your famine to fuel my corruption
>>I'm wholeselling hatred and international incest
>>To carnivorous hyenas in a global theft fest
>>I've mastered the arts of death and foreign nations genocide
>>And those who turn on me commit national suicide
>>
>>I'm the queen of the global dream
>>And I rule a declining nation
>>I sit and watch all the violent screams
>>From the throne of your desperation
>>W.A.S.P.

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