Posted by:
OHI
at Thu Apr 30 13:13:29 2009 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by OHI ]
All,
Kathy is correct about this. It is good to see other hobbyists realize or admit that academics (not just Rodda and company) have a large role in the banning agenda. I have been saying this for years. Having worked with and for many academics, they also support the pure AR agenda with the only exception being scientific research. They do not want any harvest and any sales. They think people shouldn't keep herps. I worked for one academic in Alabama that couldn't believe that it was legal to collect herps in the state. That's right, she didn't know the herp laws. In defense of academics, some think it is okay to harvest a few (very few) for personal use and they support captive breeding. But they frame this position in such a way that it's akin to having your arms and legs bound. That is, very limited harvest based on the fact that there is no good arguement to allow no harvest. But not a position based in scientific realities (data) and sustainable harvest which is the position they should be supporting. Further, their positions are fraught with mis-use and abuse of the Precautionary Principle.
The Precautionary Principle is what we are fighting against with HR 669 and all herps regulations. This is what Australia used to ban herps there. It was invoked at the sub-committee meeting by the fellow from Israel. It is what is being used for all the turtle banning agenda around the country. They will be using it next for amphibs, lizards and snakes.
Also in defense of academics and agency biologists (puppets of academics) is the fact that law enforcement throws a wrench in most win/win regulations. They don't have the manpower or they just say they can't or won't be able to enforce these win/win regulations. So in order to "protect herps at all cost" the academics and agency biologists easily cave in for banning regulations to get something passed.
Finally, our own fellow hobbyists support the banning agenda when it suits them or doesn't affect them. Some hobbyists buy into the hype pushed by academics. This is evidenced by the turtle ban in Texas supported by snake breeders in Texas. Also evidenced by some turtle owners themselves in comments I reviewed in a petition in support of the turtle ban. Another huge issue within the industry is complacency. I know folks who knew about HR 669 but didn't do anything. Some are lazy, some don't keep exotics and some said, "There is no way that can pass," so they did nothing. And then there is the selling out of the smaller niche breeders by the bigger, warehouse breeders that Crutchfield talked about.
We have no time to sit and rest. They have a 30 year head start on us. Three thousand Reptile Nation participants is great but we can do a lot better, a whole lot better.
Welkerii
El Paso, TX
[ Hide Replies ]
- NEW HR669 - NIRIP? - READ THIS - TOM_CRUTCHFIELD, Tue Apr 28 10:17:25 2009
- RE: NEW HR669 - NIRIP? - READ THIS - Joe_Hiduke, Tue Apr 28 11:53:59 2009
- RE: NEW HR669 - NIRIP? - READ THIS - b_rickard, Tue Apr 28 21:42:07 2009
- RE: NEW HR669 - NIRIP? - READ THIS - USARK, Wed Apr 29 07:26:18 2009
- RE: NEW HR669 - NIRIP? - READ THIS - TOM_CRUTCHFIELD, Wed Apr 29 08:02:36 2009
- RE: NEW HR669 - NIRIP? - READ THIS - brhaco, Wed Apr 29 08:12:56 2009
- mmz.. - obeligz, Wed Apr 29 11:01:52 2009
- RE: mmz.. - brhaco, Wed Apr 29 17:44:30 2009
- hm? - obeligz, Wed Apr 29 19:31:55 2009
- RE: hm? - brhaco, Wed Apr 29 21:30:40 2009
- Offense is the Best Defense - USARK, Thu Apr 30 08:17:08 2009
- Agree with Andrew-plus... - brhaco, Thu Apr 30 08:28:01 2009
- if we read,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, - RoyalVariations, Thu Apr 30 09:20:28 2009
- RE: Agree with Andrew-plus... - antelope, Fri May 1 01:39:45 2009
- Fighting indifference - obeligz, Thu Apr 30 11:46:57 2009
- RE: Offense is the Best Defense - swiss, Fri May 1 10:28:50 2009
- Union of "concerned" scientists - obeligz, Fri May 1 08:08:35 2009
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I agree but no time to rest - OHI, Thu Apr 30 13:13:29 2009