Posted by:
BrandonSander
at Fri Dec 11 02:56:36 2009 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by BrandonSander ]
For those of you discussing your willingness to participate in a (potential) future Black Market or any other claims that you will blatantly disregard any Federal laws that may be passed, I have this to say:
STOP!
You are on a PUBLIC FORUM. Yes, it is privately OWNED but anyone can read what you write.
I'm not just saying this because I'm concerned that your words are putting you at risk of being caught in the future (which they are) but also because this is the exact type of attitude that reptile keepers are already STEREOTYPED as having by the media and general public.
Your words are making ALL of us look bad and right now we really don't need ANY negative press at all. It does not matter if you believe that "no one is watching". Just because they don't post here does not mean that law-makers, enforcement officers, or watchdogs from some of these special interest groups are not reading these forums. I'm not saying that they are or even that it is likely, but it is a possibility.
Kingsnake.com is one of the largest, most visited reptile sites online. I can guarantee that some of those visitors are members of some of the very same special interest groups we are constantly fighting against. (It only makes sense to keep an eye on the competition.) You have no way of knowing whether your words are being forwarded to some of the Senators that currently hold the keys to this industry's future.
Don't assume anything. This fight isn't over by a long shot and right now we can't afford to lose any of the ground we may have cleared with any of those in power. Saying that you don't care about the laws and that you intend on breaking them just because you don't like them is not only irresponsible and juvenile it is also a quick way to lose the respect of those officials.
Many of us are working hard to (hopefully) ensure that these types of laws are not passed and it would be a shame to see that hard work go to waste because the senators involved were influenced into believing that reptile keepers are "criminals anyway".
On another note, let's say this bill is signed into law (let's say it goes all the way through the entire legislative process) and at some time in the future you are indeed caught for breaking the terms of this law. If that were to happen and if the investigators or prosecutor were to come upon these threads (as a result of a search of your computer - which is almost guaranteed to happen) you would be screwing up any chance of reasonable doubt the law would have normally provided you. You would have shown them not only intent and premeditation but also a blatant disregard for the law. I can guarantee that the judge and/or sentencing officer would NOT take this lightly.
Also, just discussing future plans to break the law is, in fact, a crime. You could be prosecuted for conspiracy.
Watch it, people. We are walking on thin ice the way it is. Please, keep your wits about you and be aware that now, more than ever, your actions and words can and will affect every one else involved in this hobby and industry.
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Stay United!
"...I say 'apparently' because despite all our progress she is not at all a tame or handle-able snake and gettting her from that cage would re-start a war.. and we've had a good armistice for several months now."-Gus Rentfro - I love this quote!
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 For those discussing a "Black Market"... - BrandonSander, Fri Dec 11 02:56:36 2009
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