>> You seem to be perfically willing to through all us southern herpers under the bus as long as you northern herpers can keep yours. what we need here is a loud unified voice not the factions that are out there now the "enemy" is loud, well connected and united that is why they are being heard and we are not. This is not north vs south large constrictors vs colubrids if large pythons are baned what is to stop small pythons then what it to stop native from being collected this bill could be and very well may the first major win for those opposing us then once they have the momentum they need we could see our whole industy, hobby, business, in some cases carrers gone within the next 5 years. I don't think this is fear mongering at all this is the greatest threat to hit the herp community ever.

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>>"We don't inherate the earth from our parents, we borrow it from our children"



You know, this past month this issue was really starting to rattle me. Since I keep herps (including large constrictors and lizards) in FL, I'm beginning to get sensitive to the "just let the FL herpers fight the battle" type of comments.



Now I that I also need a Class II permit, I now pay $300 each year to the state FWC just to keep, sell, and exhibit my herps in the state of FL. These are the animals I choose to work with and I'm not complaining about the permitting system. However, I am not willing to take the heat for irresponsible owners no matter where they live. I believe the Everglades infestation was largely in part to Hurricane Andrew, but we also know there are many, many irresponsible herp keepers among us.

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