I agree with everything being posted here. I also believe that communication, education and the truth about this hobby/industry, is what is needed to save it from oblivion. We should just tell it like it is ( as politely as possible ). We should continue to quantify (what is the real threat of people enjoying non-charismatic, non-fluffy, pets that put them in touch with the natural world) in the overall scheme of things. I can look around my county in coastal California everyday and see very real and imminent threats to the natural world. Its like, pick your poison. We should also qualify this hobby/industry/passion. This is deeply personal to each and everyone of us and is not as easy to express for people like me. I can tell you, I grew up in a fractured family and lost my dad to another family at a young age. Professional herpetologists ( Bob Hansen, Ron Tremper and Sean Mckeown ) , took time out to help me along, channel my passions and build upon their accomplishments. They showed me the way. They were and are still my heroes along with all of the other pillars of this hobby/industry. Mentors. I do not know Bob and Tracy Barker personally but I feel they are one of the most positive and best voices for continued legalization of big snakes and they can speak for me any day.

I also believe in the power of peer pressure and shame. If vendors are not ethical and are selling large constricting snakes to just anyone, then I believe proper pressure should be applied by others in the hobby/industry. I was given the opportunity to keep large Burmese at the age of 13 because I had a mentor and liberal mother, who trusted me and knew I was capable. I have never been bitten by large Burmese because I understand their behaviors. I do not mean to go off but I am still formulating ideas for some type of action plan which I will post here. I am proud that so many of us have rallied to save ourselves some rights and I am feeling more hopeful about it then I did a year ago.

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