Reptile & Amphibian Forums

They bite...

As the Washington Post Article plainly shows, reporters will
report the story they want to report, and will use your quotes
(including quotes on their web site)to support their agenda, not yours, and will often quote or "lift" whole sections of government press releases, bogus unsupportable statistics and all, if it supports their agenda. These articles rarely deal with
facts, are rarely objective, and in the end make both hobbyists
and businesses, appear to be buffoons and yokels.

When dealing with the press it is best most times to say nothing
at all. At the moment our policy is to refer all press requests
for interviews to PIJAC.

Don't beleive everything you read in the newspapers,
see on TV, or on the internet. Find out the FACTS
yourself FIRST before you condem others for the
actions that the press attributes to them.

Jeff ,

You and I have for the most part agreed on alot of things regarding what to do when dealing with antis and where our hobby should be going . I also agree with you on dealings with the bias liberal press . However I have still not found reason to fully trust that PIJAC will be there for us when we need them . Tell me will they be in Chicago when the hearing takes place ?

You once said we can not afford to wait for PIJAC to do something . What have they done since you made that statement to change your mind ? If they do go to the hearing in Chicago that will get alot of respect from me and our fellow herpers . but they also need to be consistant to keep that respect and trust . I will come hell or high water be in Chicago for the hearing on the proposed ordinance , Will PIJAC do the same ?

Kevin
NAROA

They need money to do what they do without it they can't. We have to support them to enable them to support us. It's the way politics work like it or not and will all the legislation coming so quickly we need them to do what they do so well and therefore they need our support to enable them to do it.

Remember you don't get something for nothing, but PIJAC will do what they can to help us. They are the recognized body to do what we need.

My understanding is that they will have a represenative in Chicago, I don't know who it will be.

PIJAC has done a lot since I made those statements almost 7 years
ago, and has been involved in just about every major herp law issue in some format since then. I personally have worked with PIJAC on such issues as Tortoise Ticks, Invasive Species, the raids in the midwest last month, Monkey Pox, Snakehead fish, The National Reptile Industry Improvement Plan, The NYC ban, The Chicago Ban and a number of former, and current issues, that I am not at liberty to discuss publicly.

Whether they have shown up themselves, or mobilized the local community, PIJAC has been involved in just about every herp
legal crisis in this country in some way.

And fimally, when there is a herp law crisis, bird law crisis,
or any other pet related legal crisis, PIJAC is the only national
organization the the federal government seeks out for advice and input.

Grass roots organizations are fine, and they can serve a good
purpose, but if they themselves aren't working directly with
PIJAC, not only are they missing the opportunities such a
relationship presents, they may in fact divide attention
and split the voice of the community into 2 segments, sending
a mixed message to the powers involved.

As an industry we need one clear, consise voice representing our
interests in front of the government and the public.

They should make it better known then what they have done and what they may know to generate more public intrest in their orginazation . The only reason I knew about them working on the tick issue is you said something . They need to be more out in the open so people know them better and what they have accomplished .

Kevin
NAROA

np
-----
Peace-
Kelli Hammack
H.I.S.S.
email me

I am not totally against it but they should be more in the publics eye . Remember not everyone has a comp or knows about PIJAC . Also Telling people about what they have done . This could help in gaining support . Some people do get anoid ( and skeptical ) getting news second hand instead of from the source its self .

Kevin
NAROA

PIJAC is not yet mainstream enough for a lot of the industry and or hobbyist to know about. Grant you that they have been around for many years but I still see many small pet stores and many herp enthusiast that doesn't know about PIJAC. For many years they were just for the business portion of the animal industry whether it was retail or wholesale then they gave a chance for companies to fit in. Companies and breeders I should say. I had heard that individials can now join.

Chambo

This is the thing I have been trying to ram home for several years now . I also have asked this question in the past " What has PIJAC done for Indiana , Tennessee , or Illinoise ? Last I heard Tennessee still has a ban on all turtles and tortoises and hots and dart frogs . Thats about half the animals in our hobby folks . Where was PIJAC when this law was enacted ?

I have said it before and I will say it again , they have to many irons in the fire and are spread to thin . They need to advertise more to "sell" themselves to get more support . With added support they can have more people to help them . Untill then they will not be mainstream .

Kevin
NAROA