Reptile & Amphibian Forums

S373 aka ‘The Python Ban’ will receive a Hearing before the Senate Environment & Public Works (EPW) Committee Chaired by Barbara Boxer (D-CA) on December 3, 2009. The bill sponsor is Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL). If passed as written it would Ban all snakes in the family Pythonidae, placing them on the Injurious Wildlife List of the Lacey Act. That is ALL 40 species of pythons! This action would stop all import, export and interstate transport. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has taken steps to lobby Senator Nelson to add Boa Constrictor to the bill as well. HSUS has publicly called for an end of reptile ownership nationwide for years.

This will NOT be a full and fair hearing on this issue. As we understand it right now there will be eight bills heard by the committee with only one witness to testify on all eight. USARK does not anticipate that there will be additional witnesses called. This seems to be an effort to ram through as many bills as possible in as short a time as possible.

USARK is opposed to legislating any animals on to the Injurious Wildlife List of the Lacey Act. This should be a science and policy driven debate. As it stands now the science is being “cherry picked” to support political expediency. An independent group of scientists called the USGS study being used by HSUS and others to justify a ban, “unscientific”.

USARK is providing the best information available on this issue. We realize that these are scary times and we ask that everyone in the community come together to fight this battle. There is Strength in Numbers... Protect Your Rights. Join the Reptile Nation!

CALL IN DAY: 11/30, 12/1 & 12/2

Sample:

My name is _____. I oppose S373. Although I support and appreciate efforts to preserve the Everglades, This bill will hurt American families while doing little to benefit conservation. This bill would Ban the captive bred trade in 40 species of pythons. It would destroy thousands of jobs in our state and across the country. Scientists have questioned the USGS report being used to justify this extreme proposal. Science should trump political expediency. Please oppose S373.

Call List: (this is not a full list of the EPW just the key members likely to be at hearing)

Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL), (Sponsor S373)
Phone: 202-224-5274
Fax: 202-228-2183

Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), (Chair EPW)
Phone: (202) 224-3553
Fax: (202) 224-0454

Senator James Inhofe (R-OK), (Ranking Member EPW)
Phone: (202) 224-4721
Fax: (202) 228-0380

Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), (Chair Water & Wildlife)
Phone: 202-224-4524
Fax: 202-224-1651

Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID), (Ranking Member Water & Wildlife)
Phone: (202) 224-6142
Fax: (202) 228-1375

Lamar Alexander (R-TN)
Phone: (202) 224-4944
Fax: (202) 228-3398

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Andrew Wyatt
President USARK

This is something that all of you need to help do your part in as they do not just want to ban pythons and boas. They want to ban all pets but will only be able to do it sneakily by taking out a few at a time because this way they divide and conquer.
When I first started posting on the agenda against reptile keeping I was either ignored or made fun of.
I don't think anyone is laughing now.
So mark my words that they will be going after your animals next. This is why you all need to stand and fight this. They are not going to listen to reason and they do not loose any sleep if you loose all of your animals or even if they get euthanized. Remember this is coming from groups known for euthanizing animals.
Look at the posting under the legal forum about the seven things you need to know about PETA and the seven things you need to know about HSUS or google this to find those articles.
There was one post on the PARC forum already and I quote it (There is no telling how many milk snakes and kingsnakes have been let loose by keepers). this tells me they are already eyeballing that for a banning project as well. Trust me they can't wait to get there hands on you next.
They fully intend to take all of the reptile trade out. in fact they intend to take the whole pet trade out. They do not want people to keep any animals and this includes dogs and cats. They do not want farming of livestock either.
I have yet to figure out how they intend to feed a nation of people nothing but vegetables. The land that it would take to support this would wipe out even more habitat killing more animals anyway. You have a trade off for everything and there is no getting away from the fact that any idea will never be perfect. But people have depended upon cultivating animals since civilization began. In fact it is part of why we became civilized.
The brains (metaphorically speaking) behind this agenda want a total ban on all animal keeping.
Reptile keepers always get made out to be the bad guys. How often do you see a news report or read an article about one of us that shows some of the well kept animals we have?
We need to let the government know on a federal and state level that it is nobodies right to make us do what a group of terrorist wants us to do. We are supposed to have the right to engage in commerce and the right to pursue happiness as stated in the Declaration of Independence.
If the groups behind this agenda can make us stop keeping reptiles then were does it stop? Can any group with enough money lobby to make laws to make us do what they want? Is this freedom or just a system bought and paid for by the highest bidder?
This would mean there is no true freedom since it can be bought out from under you by any group that wants to make you do what they want. It is treason for any government official to sell your rights away.
We need to make laws against this kind of law making so we can have our rights protected since apparently
neither the Constitution nor the Declaration of Independence guarantees or protects our rights.
You can't take this with your tail between your legs. You have nothing to loose by fighting this as much as you can. You will loose everything if you do nothing.
The Government is supposed to use our tax money to make things better for us, not use it to go after us and make our lives harder.
OK, that's my long soap box rant for the day. LOL
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Noah was the first snake collector. ~Eric~

I just called my Senator, Cardin and talked to a nice young lady and explained the situation. Told her to go to kingsnake.com and look at the businesses that will be affected. Then, since my daughter is a current resident of Fl, called Nelson's office. His office is overwhelmed, do to the number of calls, and all I could do was leave a message, which I did. I remind him that reptile people vote, and that his actions determine whether or not he's still in office next time around.

I was on hold with Nelson's office as well. Maybe that's good for us. And they weren't rude or questioning my reasons for opposition either.

The lady in MD was pleasant with me as well. All were professional.
We really need the calls on this one. Not much time left.