Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm as guilty as anyone in the PAST, but NOW we are at least AT the table, which is a lot MORE than we were BEFORE.

If you continue to insult, annoy, humiliate, or in any way impede our progress at the table, then every single Herpetologist that visits Texas will have YOU to blame for impeding our progress.

Before you make an inflammatory, insulting, or humiliating post ask yourself two questions

1) what will it accomplish?
2) do I want to be the one to ruin our chances of reaching an agreement?

Forks

Very straight up and polite...

Am I missing something?

Steven

you're fine...

someone with a clear head the ability to reason keep an eye on these boards and report any "abuse" to the moderators as soon as possible. I would appreciate it.

Forks

n/p

thats a little over the top joe i dont have real problem with anyone saying something that might insult, annoy, humiliate the powers that be who enacted this REDICULOUS law. freedom of speach and all, the fact is A RIGHT has been taken away from all of us and done so illegally. i appluad your webpage as stating the truth, about HH and him abusing the legislative proccess but saying one poster will/might be blamed for "impeding our progress" by simply saying what they feel is WRONG take it for what its worth ONE persons opinion, again i appluad your efforts but this kind of hushhush be nice talk is bull your tabletalk w/toddK just tells me they(HH,ToddK,etc) are feeling a little heat nows NOT the time to turn that fire down i hope you keep that webpage up imho if you take it down it will be as much a travesty as this rediculous law and how it came to be, if anything i thought this stupid law would unite herpers to take a stand sadly it hasnt,(gotta keep'um seperated),,,,,,,,thomas davis
I'm as guilty as anyone in the PAST, but NOW we are at least AT the table, which is a lot MORE than we were BEFORE.

If you continue to insult, annoy, humiliate, or in any way impede our progress at the table, then every single Herpetologist that visits Texas will have YOU to blame for impeding our progress.

Before you make an inflammatory, insulting, or humiliating post ask yourself two questions

1) what will it accomplish?
2) do I want to be the one to ruin our chances of reaching an agreement
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Morphs... just like baseball cards BUT ALIVE, how cool is that???

my website www.barmollysplace.com

Sorry, but I have to agree with Mike. These guys knew what they were doing when they did it. They stabbed us in the back. They had every opportunity to included the amended version in the rider, and chose not too. Now they are feeling the heat from the people over their dirty tricks. How do we know these are not just "save face tactics"? They know they have ticked off a lot of voters. And what now? So they are gonna potentially fix this thing, so they say. When is that gonna happen 2009? What do we do in the meantime? Sit around and wait? What if we wait all that time, just to have them do it again? What is our back up plan? You know a couple of people have chosen to spearhead some kind of campaign, but what is it? What is this private forum with a password? This affects everyone not just a few, why isn't everyone involved? A lot of people are sitting around going " I want to help, but what can I do?" and are being given no answers other than wait. Well, some of us are tired of just waiting to see what happens, we want to help or do something and be apart of something. I agree we should be turning the heat up, not down, until we see concrete proof that something will be fixed. And again what are we gonna do in the meantime? Are we working with TPWD to get reptiles de-classified to cold-blooded vertebrates so we can use a fishing license? Or something? or again are just supposed to trust something is happening, and not be given any details?????

I'm every bit as mad about this as anyone on here. I actually wrote Todd and APOLOGIZED for the extreme statements of myself and other herpers, when the original HB2414 was amended (we thought)!! Believe me, I was so upset that I washed my hands of the whole thing for a couple of weeks-didn't even trust myself to post a single word lol.

That said, I'm cognizant of some of the behind-the-scenes goings on, and that more people with a more moderate view,both in the legislature and TPWD, are being brought in to the consultation now. I'm grudgingly willing to give the present process a chance. I trust Joe and the rest who are working hard on this, and there is a good chance that compromise can be reached.

But if we get bamboozled again, the gloves will be off, and I think everyone involved fully appreciates that.

Brad Chambers

I think one important thing to remember in all this, Joe has served us VERY well keeping the page going, this forum, over the years. I think the LEAST we could do is trust him on this, and when he has something to tell us HE WILL! I can't believe that anyone would appreciate his hard work over the years by hindering his advancements in this case. And if we could all come to the table and not have a get in your face attitude, maybe someone will listen. They will not listen to in your face kinda talk, then we will all have to wait and do nothing for a LONG time! I urge you all to respect Joe's wishes on this one for the time being and trust him.
Todd Hughes
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Todd Hughes

Joe is correct. Posting angry statements, ignoring the law, being confrontational with LE WILL HURT NOT HELP. I have seen how the legislative process works for many years. Threats and anger only makes things worse. I don't even keep or collect ALterna and I want this law changed. I haven't road collected in 20 years but believe me, I undertstand everyones frustration. I know Reps who will try to get this changed. (Joe and I have exchanged correspondence about them). I recieved calls from several reps when this happened. They were surprised but not shocked about the way this law was passed. The problem will worsen if a few people act badly and make things worse. We will lose allies. The vast majority of elected officials have never heard of "road collecting" or even care about snakes and other herps. Please listen to Joe and the other voices of reason or we will never get this fixed. I have also read several posts about people thinking that legal action can fix this, with all due respect, my professional opinion is that it can't. I have given Joe my thoughts on why and he can share them. I have fought battles at the State, National and Local levels regarding herp. and other animal legislation. I know Marshall Meyers, the general counsel for PIJAC well and have worked with him on several issues. I have represented herpers not only in state cases but in Federal Court. We can get this law changed but it will take time. I don't know how many of you were around in the 70's when TPWD banned the collection of many herps. including Alterna. We don't want to there again so please be patient.
Richard