Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I really think that how the grassroots is being used really needs to be thought about. It needs to be focused in certain battles and not all of them. I and several others ive spoken to are getting worn out. I’ve got a family kids job etc and to sit down right letters make phone calls and do everything that is being asked is simply becoming to much. I really think Pijac, Usark and some of the other groups need to rethink the attack plan or this grass roots effort is really gonna start loosing steam.

Another thing I would really like to know is what exactly has the top tear done? I know Jeff has been very active, Eugene Basset, and a couple others but the people who stand to loose the most id like to see a list of what they have done. I have no vested interest in the 9 species they want to ad to the lacy act. If I want a burm ill always be able to acquire one in the state I live in with or without this law. So much pressure has been put on people like myself so I would really like to know exactly what the people who have to most to loose are doing. Thus far Bob Clark has done an interview with Jeff B I don’t know of anything else hes done. My concern is why should I take time away from my family and life to save hes livelihood when near as I can tell hes hasn’t done much of anything. Same goes for a lot of the other “big names” id love to see a list of what they have spent and done. Are all the hobbyists efforts so they can continue to sit back and get rich?

You are correct in saying that you would still be able to purchase and sell the 9 species in your state IF the proposal were to go through. However, whether you realize it or not, this matter affects all of us who keep and breed pythons and boas. A couple questions for you to think about here are, what is the liklihood of that specific pet snake you want to own or breed was originally purchashed/acquired by whchever breeder you went to from another state? What if you had to relocate to another state?

Even if you do not own any of the 9 species, do not believe for one moment that this will never affect you. Do you remember HR669, the Nonnative Wildlife Prevention Act? That bill would have made the import and interstate commerce and transport of virtually EVERY non native species a felony. Do not think for one moment that the momentum or backers of that legislation have simply given up and gone away after HR 669's derailment. They simply realized that going after all species at once was much too difficult for them, and are utilizing a different approach towards the same goal, essentially taking away once slice at a time. In this case, the 9 species is that once slice.

Yes, it does seem like a difficult, never ending battle, but as other posters on here have stated and even reminded me of, we must remain vigilant and continue to fight. Burning out and quitting is exactly what our enemies at the HSUS want us to do, which would therefore make it much easier for them to pass their entire agenda of ending the keeping of ALL non native species without opposition or any interferences.

It is my belief though that we must participate as much as possible in every battle that affects us. If we do not, the victories acheived by the antis through those battles that we chose to ignore will only provide them with more confidence and momentum against us in subsequent battles. I am sure most of everyone realizes that the AR groups frequently justify passing bans in one state by citing the passage of similar legislation in other states. My last point is, USARK and PIJAC are much larger than just yourself or a couple of people. It is my belief that PIJAC and USARK cannot throw some of their membership base under the bus for the sake of "picking and choosing battles". While some battles are certainly more pressing or time sensitive than others, all of these battles do affect all of us in some way, whether directly or indirectly. You are certainly welcome to participate and contribute as much time and efforts as you like/ or are able to, but we all must stay in the fight.

I agree completely. I am currently unemployed, broke as a joke but not broken. I see all these battles as selection events or pathogenic infections. We will either be stronger, weaker or destroyed by it. The outcome is up to us. I have less (economically) to lose than any commercial breeder but much to gain, which might be why I spout off more frequently. I also spend a great deal of time thinking over the ramifications of this legislation for me and my fellow herpers. Now and in the future. Writing letters and emails and discussing this stuff with others is a lot of work but I would rather do the hard work now for a happy future than slack off and have an angry one.

I have faith that the big names are doing their share. Just, too many voices confuses the message. I know I'm doing everything I can. I'm just a smalltime private hobbyist, but don't want to see regulators shut down something I love and have done all my life. Ask anyone who knows me and they'll tell you snakes and turtles are as much of what defines me as anything. It would be like an amputation to my psyche if those critters were permanently removed from my way of life.
jsc
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer