Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Took some time today to appreciate that so many have sacrificed so much (their lives, their health, their families, etc.) so that the US could be such a great country, where freedom and individual rights/liberties are held in such high regard. I guess I've been guilty of taking this for granted in my younger days, but over the last 20 years (ie, getting married, raising a family, my wife and I working hard to maintain a decent lifestyle for our children, etc.), I really do appreciate how lucky we are to live in a country where hard work pays off and we still have some rights as individuals. I appreciate it even more now that that concept of independence, small government and personal responsibility seems to be falling by the wayside. Anyway, I hope some of the younger folks out there who might simply look at today as a day off from work might reflect on this anti-snake movement and consider that it is a symptom of the type of government the Founding Fathers fought so hard to escape and prevent.
Anyway, since this is a reptile forum, I will celebrate the holiday by posting pics of my snakes. That's what the hobby is all about, enjoying our amazing reptiles. Anyone want to join in?

And for anyone who thinks we hobbyists who own "exotic" animals don't care about indigenous wildlife, here are two of the many snakes I've rescued (from frightened homeowners with shovels) and relocated. Not trying to pat myself on the back, I'm sure most hobbyists would do the same. Just tired of the idiotic stereotype that we are irresponsible.

Thanks,
Ed

Worthwhile to reflect on the sacrifice, hardship, and the ultimate price those before us have paid as well as those brave and selfless souls and their loved ones, currently paying the price for our freedom. May we ever be grateful.
jsc
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

I spent the weekend volunteering at the local VA hospital...something that I do on a regular basis. The Veteran's Administration continually faces budget cuts as a result of 'small government' advocates in Washington, who view the VA as yet another massive big government entitlement program.

Volunteering your time is very admirable on your part. Then I read the second sentence.
You just could not resist making it political, could you?
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1.0 Albino American alligator, "Smoke"
1.1 American alligator,"Al Bite Ya & Molly"
1.1 Purple Albino Reticulated Pythons, "Gumbo & Abita"
0.1 Eastern Gaboon Viper, "Gabbie" Recently passed away at 24 years old
Help me find this snake!

With all due respect, the OP made it political from the outset. I am merely drawing attention to the inconsistency of a certain aspect of the viewpoint expressed by the OP.

Here's an excerpt (from a 2003 article) for anyone with selective amnesia:

"With 130,000 soldiers still in the heat of battle in Iraq and more fighting and dying in Afghanistan, the Bush administration sought this year to cut $75 a month from the "imminent danger" pay added to soldiers' paychecks when in battle zones.

The administration sought to cut by $150 a month the family separation allowance offered to those same soldiers and others who serve overseas away from their families. Although they were termed "wasteful and unnecessary" by the White House, Congress blocked those cuts this year, largely because of Democratic votes.

This year's White House budget for Veterans Affairs cut $3 billion from VA hospitals-despite 9,000 casualties in Iraq and as aging Vietnam veterans demand more care; VA spending today averages $2,800 less per patient than nine years ago.

The administration also proposed levying a $250 annual charge on all Priority 8 veterans-those with "non-service-related" illnesses-who seek treatment at VA facilities, and seeks to close VA hospitals to Priority 8 veterans who earn more than $26,000 a year.

Until protests led to a policy change, the Bush administration also was charging injured GIs from Iraq $8 a day for food when they arrived for medical treatment at the Fort Stewart, Georgia base where most injured are treated.

In mid-October, the Pentagon, at the request of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, announced plans to shutter 19 commissaries-military-run stores that offer discounted food and merchandise that helps low-paid enlisted troops and their families get by-along with the possibility of closing 19 more.
At the same time, the Pentagon also announced it was trying to determine whether to shutter 8 military-run schools for soldiers' children at 14 military installations.

The White House is seeking to block a federal judge's award of damages to a group of servicemen who sued the Iraqi government for torture during the 1991 Gulf War. The White House claims the money, to come from Iraqi assets confiscated by the United States, is needed for that country's reconstruction.

The administration beat back a bipartisan attempt in Congress to add $1.3 billion for VA hospitals to Bush's request of $87 billion for war and reconstruction in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In perhaps its most dangerous policy, the White House is refusing to provide more than 40,000 active-duty troops in Iraq with Kevlar body armor, leaving it up to them and their families to buy this life-saving equipment. This last bit of penny-pinching prompted Pentagon critic and Vietnam veteran, Col. David Hackworth, to point to "the cost of the extraordinary security" during Bush's recent visit to Asia, which he noted grimly "would cover a vest for every soldier" in Iraq."

Right-wing politicians and policy makers have a really lousy track record when it comes to supporting troops and honoring veterans.

>>With all due respect, the OP made it political from the outset. I am merely drawing attention to the inconsistency of a certain aspect of the viewpoint expressed by the OP.
ers' paychecks when in battle zones.

Another logical fallacy with which you supposedly are familiar - strawman argument. I guess you don't understand the difference between "limited government" or "small government" and "no government."

Funny thing is, if you want to turn this thread into a "this administration vs. that administration" discussion, why don't you poll the veterans you supposed help and see if they like the direction this country is going in? Go ahead, I dare you.

LOL. I did. They voted for Obama. In fact, many had switched parties after Bush, others (older ones) after Reagan. Veterans don't vote as a block, you know.

Fact is proponents of limited government (policy makers & politicians) consider entitlement programs (VA, GI Bill, student loans, Social Security, Medicare, etc.)to be at the top of the elimination list, which is why I find it interesting that anyone one would post comments that profess to be both pro-veteran and limited government simultaneously with a straight face. Either really naive or disingenuous. The facts are there if you look for them.

It doesn't matter what your personal interpretation of "limited Government" is, unless you decide to run for office. You aren't writing policy.

Anyone who rescues snakes from being decapitated is cool in my book.
Hope you had a great weekend.
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1.0 Albino American alligator, "Smoke"
1.1 American alligator,"Al Bite Ya & Molly"
1.1 Purple Albino Reticulated Pythons, "Gumbo & Abita"
0.1 Eastern Gaboon Viper, "Gabbie" Recently passed away at 24 years old
Help me find this snake!

>>Anyone who rescues snakes from being decapitated is cool in my book.
>>Hope you had a great weekend.
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Thanks. Here are a few more local finds, rescues and turtles I moved off the road. Not sure why I didn't just run over the turtles and kill the copperhead, given I'm just an ignorant, irresponsible exotic snake owner.

Thanks,
Ed

Oh yes, I have saved many Chelydra serpentina, they dont seem to appreciate the help.
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1.0 Albino American alligator, "Smoke"
1.1 American alligator,"Al Bite Ya & Molly"
1.1 Purple Albino Reticulated Pythons, "Gumbo & Abita"
0.1 Eastern Gaboon Viper, "Gabbie" Recently passed away at 24 years old
Help me find this snake!

>>Oh yes, I have saved many Chelydra serpentina, they dont seem to appreciate the help.

Yeah, I hear you. They are awesomely powerful animals. When the one I showed in the picture dug in his front claws, I had a hard time getting him up without risking losing a finger. I think I entertained a few people driving by while I was battling to get him off the road.

Thanks,
Ed

Great positive idea, REPTILES,lets see them. Thanks for the comentary on V.D. my father was an Anzio bch.surviver. Now for the pic of what I do. The female was a confacsated animal on its way to China. Alive and reproducing here. DEFYING DESTINY. VM