I cannot stand it anymore, and feel the need to say something. I am tired of fighting for our hobby, contributing my hard-earned money to organizations helping defend OUR right to keep reptiles (especially hots), driving to the state capital and speaking on OUR behalf, and everything else I do, only to watch people in their own pursuit of thrills, fame, profit, or whatever else doing things that only hasten the end of legal pursuit of our hobby.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m no hero or martyr. Many, many people have put far more hours, miles, and money into these endeavors. I’m simply an average venomous snake keeper, who has made (what should be) average contributions to the effort to protect our right to privately keep venomous reptiles. I have a properly equipped and protected hot room, with a nice collection kept in safe, locking enclosures. I have warning notices on the doors/windows of said room to protect first responders. When I interact with my animals I follow protocols and use the proper equipment. I have a bite protocol book to help with treatment should I ever get tagged and, while it is a possibility, I don’t do things to increase the risk.
If you don’t think that legislators and activists (not to mention plain old ophidophobes) don’t see these actions and notice what happens, you are nuts. Every time one of us gets tagged the media is rife to jump all over it and sensationalize it. The biggest argument that activists use for motorcycle helmet laws is the fact that injured people are a drain on our medical system and resources. In this way they circumvent the motorcyclist’s right to make his OWN choices about what risks he wishes to take with his own life/health.
Every time a keeper is bit they talk about how he had “poisonous” snakes in his house. That there could be some living right next door to YOU and you don’t know it, and that hospitals don’t stock antivenin for many of these animals. (even though most zoos do) They do all they can to get folks terrified and wanting our hobby outlawed because the government should protect them. Every bite is a chance for the media to sensationalize the situation. Every sensationalized story gleans more support for those who wish to take away our rights. This hobby WILL be brought to an end. The ophidophobes at large will drive it to happen because they outnumber us 1000 to 1. All we can do is enjoy it while we can still, legally, pursue it.
The antics on Letterman a couple of weeks ago also further the cause and support of those who want our hobby illegalized. The comments (by a supposed expert) that “one drop of their venom can kill an elephant” only go to further terrorize society that these animals are far more dangerous than they are. Now anyone who knows I have cobras, and who saw that program, will believe that even an expert cannot control them (even though Bob Clark isn’t a hot keeper, and shouldn’t have been there doing that) and that “one drop of their venom can kill an elephant.” Thanks Jack and Bob.
Putting the fact that someone who endangers our hobby is a friend, business associate, or whatever other relationship you may have with these types of people above YOUR OWN right to keep reptiles is just imbecilic. That is like fighting for the rights of responsible gun owners and then riding around with your “buddy” while he shoots up road signs from a moving car. A sane, responsible person would look that “buddy” in the eye and tell him “If you continue to do this I can no longer associate with you, and I will tell others that you’re doing this so that perhaps they can persuade you to stop behaving in a way that undermines my efforts, and gives more “ammunition” and motivation to those who work endeavor to take away my rights.”
The ONLY thing that is going to have any effect is peer pressure. If we scold and shun anyone in the community who behave irresponsibly, including freehandling (and glorifying it), shipping/selling hots illegally, or anything else that endangers and/or poorly portrays our hobby, perhaps such people will think twice about it, or at LEAST stop making videos of such behavior and posting them on You Tube.
As long as we take that "Yeah, I know...but he's a really great guy" attitude toward those who selfishly behave as if they are the only hot keeper in the world, the closer we all drive ourselves to the day we will lose our right to keep these amazing animals.
If we turn our backs on those who think only of themselves and make them pariahs perhaps we can get these folks to adjust their outlook and “come into the fold” and have some appreciation and respect for the efforts to try and preserve and protect our rights.
Just a rant…and some food for thought…
No doubt some of these "friends of the irresponsible" will come to their defense here. They will throw doubt on this post and defend their "friends." To them I say this; Go ahead and show yourselves. Let everyone see who the folks are that put friendship with someone like this before all of our rights.
