Reptile & Amphibian Forums

For the past 6 or so months so much has happened in my career and to my beloved hobby of Reptiles specifically Boa Constrictors. Career wise I Sold my stake in my business a long battled negotiation that has turned into litigation- YUK! A passing of a preposterous Python Ban hurting the livelihood of my colleagues involved in Burmese Pythons, Anacondas, and African Rock for ever- YUK YUK!! Adding insult to injury “Rapdifire” state and federal ban talks in the wake of the Federal Law in such states as New Hampshire, Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin, etc. and now HR511- too many YUKS to list. All of this has been tough to say the least for me and all of us on this forum as its bothersome and weighs on one when others are hard at work bringing one down. During my on-going litigation with my x-partner, my income derived from Boa sales has really saved the day, and it is crazy to think this income could have been destroyed by now if it wasn’t for USARK’s efforts. It is a shame that this is all happening for no other reason than because others don’t like what it is we do, even though truth be told it doesn’t affect them one bit, nor are these animals a threat to 99.99% of our nation’s territory. In my limited time these days, I owe it to myself, to my fellow Herpers and to my children to preserve our Boas and the Retics and the other constrictors, so recently I became dead-set to do what I can within my ability and resources to save what is left to be saved.

During the Holidays I reached out to USARK and Andrew Wyatt to know what more can be done in addition to sending money. After all I am 15 short miles east from Ground Zero, the Florida Everglades and Florida is a huge player in all of this as both Senator Nelson and congressman Rooney are Floridian. Thru the tutorial of USARK, I reached into my “rolodex” and called contact after contact looking to get a meeting with Marco Rubio or someone from his organization. After over a month of calls and emails, last Thursday March 1st, I got a call back from the Regional Director of Senator Rubio and she scheduled a meeting for us to meet today at 11:30 this morning. I was stoked! Coincidently 2 weeks ago Andrew Wyatt scheduled a trip to south Florida Thursday March 1 - March 3 coincidently On the same day that I got the call he was landing!! Somethings are just meant to be. Keeping this short, Friday Andrew stopped by Perfect Predators to see the Facility and see for himself what all his hard work has helped preserve. We had a great time catching up on all that’s happened, broke bread and shared really good quality time. He did a great job in coaching me in getting me “tooled up” for today’s meeting. Before we talk about the meeting some pictures:

Here’s a pictures of testosterone being flung around.

My crude humor about how boas breed made Andrew laugh, a joke I will not repeat on a public forum =):

Went to the best Thai food in Miami, Andrew can handle the HEAT! Another reason I know we got the right guy for the task:

I’ve never been able to share long stretches of time with Andrew before Friday, sure we often play catch-up when we can but I never got to know the man behind USARK very well. I know of his work and I see the results but I never spent time to learn about him- his background, his interests in the hobby, how he got involved fully, what he did prior to USARK, etc. Sure we’ve all heard rumors but I never took any of them for fact. What I can honestly say for all those that wonder and care is that we have the RIGHT guy for the job. He is totally qualified in his background, experience and intangibles. I cannot put in words how I am relieved to know what I know now, and that our Boas are safe as I don’t foresee a Federal Bill passing under this man’s watch. And this is all you need to know, the rest is irrelevant.

THE MEETING WITH MARCO RUBIO’S ORGANIZATION

I met with Alyn Cruz Higgins, Regional Director

I got dolled up LOL. Wore nice jeans though, not too fancy as I didn’t want to over do it.

After Friday’s training with Andrew, today was the big “sit down.” Met a very professional and nice staff and Mrs. Cruz Higgins was extremely receptive to our plight. I told her how I was ecstatic she could see me on such a busy schedule they’re on (Senator Rubio could be our next Vice-President) and in a few moments learned we had a lot in common knowing people from the same circles and growing up she and I did a lot of the same things in a lot of the same places. We quickly cut to the chase, and after the 2 minute delivery by coach Andrew I was floored when she “got it.” Her first words were, boas……iiiky but if you like them “more power to you” and also she said “I cannot see the logic why these animals (Boas) had to be banned if the issue was with Burmese pythons and the ban had happened. Also why the State Rule wasn’t enough? Her words, “as long as they are kept by those that love them, are cared for them by those and are purchased legally by those that want them, don’t harm others or the environment and create industry, work and business I don’t see any sense in any of this legislation.” This is verbatim her verbiage!! My inner voice said THANK YOU GOD!!

She was very interested in knowing numbers in terms of finances and economic impact by a Boa ban. Also any insight that can be provided so she can put it in front of the right people in the Marco Rubio organization. For the sake of keeping this post brief, that was the gist of our meeting it was all of 20 minutes and I felt like a million bucks leaving there. Although short, you must imagine the amount of people tugging at them constantly but it was very much to the point and everything I wanted them know from ME/US was covered and well. So in 3 words: VERY VERY POSITIVE. With my experience in the credit industry where reading body language and subtle comments speaks volumes, I can honestly say the Senator Rubio’s organization share a brain with us in the sense for us having the freedom of enjoying our hobby as we have and will do to the best to their ability in helping in what they can. In my 1 short meeting my gut is they are a friend of our hobby and this was reassured when she said “look towards them to help in what way possible- get me what I need.” She requested the financial impact stuff and USARK is organizing those to forward as you read this.

I feel the need to make this forum post, not to be a horn tooter nor blow hard but more so to fill in others as to this very interesting meeting and also to state that if this is mirrored across the country by as many boa keepers and herpers as possible, by being relentless and persistent our voice will become too loud to quiet. We as USARK are doing a great job, but we as all the little guys need to do things similar and be a squeaky wheel, USARK is 1 guy, lobbyists and attorneys and some volunteers and we cannot rely on them to carry this load all by themselves. We must do more of what we can for ourselves, and be conservative thinkers not liberal if you will. In the end the squeaky wheel always gets the grease. Marco Rubio’s office is like a bees nest, constant meetings, phones lit like a Christmas tree, he is ear marked for the “vice president” nominee for the Republican ticket and if they can make a sliver of a day to see little ole me, surely Senators and their representatives can do the same in your state- it is their JOBS. If you guys want to replicate what I did please contact me and I will share the knowledge I have from Andrew, if we all “clone” Andrew in this way so much more will go our way.

Thank you for reading this.

Manny Frade | Breeder
(858) BCI-BOAS

Collector Quality Boa Constrictors

Great work guys.

I thank you.
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Richard Ceniceros

Thank you Mr. Manny! Your meeting with Marco Rubio's office could prove pivotal to our fight in Washington! After we know we are 100% in the clear, I am hoping that I get to vote for Marco Rubio for Vice President of the United States of America this November! He is a HUGE champion for freedom and being a 1st generation Cuban American, loves America and the Freedoms we have enjoyed for generations that are currently under attack by Washington.

Thank you Mr. Manny!
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Jeff Ronne Sr
The Boaphile
Director USARK

Originator of Boaphile Plastics
The Boaphile Boa Site

Manny,

Loved reading your posts since meeting you in Daytona and getting the displays and that lil Albino guy from you( He's still doing great,btw!!) but really enjoyed this one more than most! Your passion for the animals as well as the industry/hobby really showed through at Daytona in addition to your overall general great personality! Setting up this meeting is another perfect example!! Not everyone ( myself included) posts on here or online, in general, often; but I do like to read whats going on and still stay involved in the issues at hand and it's great to see posts like this when I do! I can really appreciate your post for what you did as well as hopefully inspiring others to do the same! Im only a few hours away from you here in Florida and know what an impact this proposed ban could do to us after the last one passed. Just wanted to say THANKS for the effort, passion, willingness, and the posts to inspire others! Look forward to another Daytona Breeders Expo with you and your crew up here in a few months!!

Jamess

Manny thankyou for pursuing this meeting, perseverance was obviously key in garnering this face to face.

Hopefully the positive feed back you received was genuine and not just a politician telling a constituent
what he thought that constituent needed to hear.

I'm hoping this meeting has educated another Politician about the relevant facts pertaining to
reptiles and Boids in general and specifically Boa constrictors.

So that this Politician can help educate other Politicians about the relevant facts pertaining to our passion , reptiles / Boids !

Thx Manny for putting in the extra effort !

. . . Lar M
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Boas By Klevitz

I Support USark.org

WAY TO GO MANNY.....NICE WORK.....LB

BRAVO!

i have made similar (although smaller in scale) attempts on the state-level here in ohio. i can affirm that there ARE politicians out there who are on our side, and if OUR "right people" connect with THEIR "right people" we truly CAN have a TIDAL wave of influence!

THANK YOU and keep it up!

No offense Manny and I'm glad you had a great meeting with Rubio and Andrew and it was all sunny in Florida for a day but the bottom line is, if you live in a disgustingly liberal state like mine(NY), you will most likely never get a meeting with one of your Reps. All you will get is the BS form letters and BS phone converations with the rep to the rep of the rep. I fully agree that sending money to a lobbyest group(USARK) helps but beyond that..... we are helpless. I dont think its any secret here that I'm a pretty conservative person who pays attention to all local and federal politics. I'm a member of the Heritage Foundation(which by the way, the link pops up when you open up Kingsnake), and I generally pay attention all the time. Not because my SNAKES are in jeopardy but because my FREEDOM is in jeopardy. How many posts showed peoples form letters that they got from their Reps? And the online petitions? A complete waste of time. Its all BS. In my opinion we need to be politically active ALL OF THE TIME and not because Boas are involved. I've said it before, no matter what, the only thing these politians care about is LOSING their seat. THAT IS IT. I would like to see USARK become more involved in steering votes not letters. Filing lawsuits, not petitions. So in closing, I'm glad you had a great meeting but the reality is our FREEDOM is at stake here. Letters and phone calls wont do jack to help us in the long run. Voting politicians who infringe on our freedoms OUT OF OFFICE will be the only thing that saves us in the end. Mike Panichi
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Honesty is my only policy
www.mikepanicreptiles.com

This state went to McCain Mike. and if you know anything about Rubio, he is as conservative as it gets. although he's only 1 camp, he is the rock star right now of the senate. i dont agree with you. thank you for your back handed compliment.

Steering votes is swell and dany however when elections are not around or a vote is going down regarding one of the laws there peddling what are you going to do? pump your fist and say i'll vote you out of power next election. Or are you going to make calls and letters to impact there and then. BTW the last 4 talks about herper laws in illinois, WI, OH, NH have been impacted greatly thanks to the "futile" letters sent. Only a person blind as a bat wont see that USARK is unearthing alot of what the politicians stances are on herps and this makes great research to decide your vote. they cannot campaign on behalf or against any politician as they are organized as a group that cannot be deliberate about those things. However you and i can, and i hope will...

I concur 100% Mike......Too many folks have their rose colored glasses on and can't see the forest for the trees...I think we need to quit all the "rah rah sis boom bah" stop all the "woe is me" go underground and tell them to pound sand.

Don't get me wrong I appreciate everything folks are doing and thank Manny for putting in the extra effort but the outcome will remain the same.....If the want us they'll get us.... end of story.

Remember the golden rule...He who has the gold makes the rules.. We will never be able to match the funds or expertise of HSUS and their lobbist....won't happen.

This is an unpopular opinion. I am reminded of the boy scout motto "be prepared" Be setting your strategy NOW! What are you gonna do when they come for you? Those with the loudest voices will be first!
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Regards,
Buddy

buddy what you are doing/saying here is ABSOLUTELY detrimental to our cause. it's no wonder our industry/hobby has been SO slow to take action against the animal rights wackos like the HSUS, DOW, Nature Conservancy and Born Free.

when people like you spread all this "doom and gloom" crap, you discourage people like manny from making their voices heard in the only place we can have some influence - even if it's small.

but consider this... USARK's budget and membership is a TINY FRACTION of what the HSUS's budget is (hell, it's even a fraction of Wayne's salary and pension!), and yet look at all the good USARK has done! look how much influence USARK has had! USARK has been instrumental in stopping various state-level attacks on reptiles as well as national level attacks, and has SIGNIFICANTLY softened the blow from the USFWS rule-change attempt - despite what you said about us "never being able to match the funds or expertise of HSUS and their lobbyists". whether you admit it or not, HSUS sees "teeny tiny USARK" as a THREAT because of the successes we've had.

if we as a "reptile nation" can have THAT much influence with our pathetically low levels of participation up to this point, how much bigger will that influence be if we can get MORE people involved on the level manny is!? but as long as pessimistic people like you are spewing that "sky is falling" crap, that is less likely to happen.

we have made HUGE strides for this hobby because people like manny (and others) have stood up and made their voices heard. so stop trying to stifle our voices. you're more than welcome to think whatever you want, but don't spew that kind of crap here, where it will do nothing but discourage people from fighting for our cause.

i don't get it either, chris...

it's one thing for a person to feel overwhelmed, ineffective, and incapable of significantly contributing to a cause. but have the nerve tell those that are out there doing good, making a difference that they are basically losers fighting a losing battle is just unconscionable...

i'm amazed...and not in a good way...
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Mark
uncommonboa.com

you ever get in a street fight growing up over a basketball court at the local park, or over what school you go to? and there were kids that stood up and fought the other kids and there were kids that ran home and hid. those are the kids that are all grown up and still chicken. Tiger never changes his stripes....these are not the guys you want in the fox hole with you as the saying goes, and unfortunately they come here to our forum to spread yellow back cowardice...

Buddy and mike need an attitude adjustment. We all feel frustrated with this crap, but to think our only chance is to have like minded candidates in office is the real fantasy. We will always have divided parties in our govt. We need to keep supporting usark and be proactive. To use a great piece of news brought to us by Manny and try to use this to tear down our cause is shameful. A positive attitude combined with education and effort will allow us to keep fighting the fight. A defeatist attitude will eat your soul.

Dan 1000% agree with your attitude. My question is still and no one can/will answer is what is their solution to our issue when there isnt a "sharing of the brain" with your politician or when theyre in power and re-election isnt for a while still...

you have to act on these thing shere and now, not wait till november. Senators are 6 year terms!!! could you imagine if we waited till november of 2012 to handle Nelson's Bill when it was submitted in 09 or something? I wonder where peoples mind are at.

Then they want USARK to be more of a vote swinger, well if they arent doing that i dont know what then, because thanks to all the stuff they uncover i am finding out who's the guys behind the curtain and then i can vote accordingly....

AMAZING and not in a good way!

thanks brother.

You know whats funny? the minute someone disagrees(even slightly) with you guys, you all get crazy. All I did was voice my opinion on the letter writing and phone call thing. I also said that I would like to see our lobbyst group steer votes. What a bad guy I am. I will not back away from that. I unlike Manny, SIMPLY think we should not all start feeling victorious and warm and fuzzy about this thing. Thats all that was intended. It wasnt a dig at Manny personally. If you think I need an attitude adjustment because of what I said, too bad. I'm a realist. I dont have a "facility" or a "building", it's not my career. It's my hobby. I think its possible that I look at it differently that you guys I guess. Its not that they are taking my source of income but like I said, its small chunks of my freedom that they are always trying to get. To me, thats what its about and that scares me more than anything else. You guys are talking about cowardice and fox holes and crap and it makes me laugh. Another thing I have noticed is you guys keep referring to this forum as yours or ours. It's neither. I've been a member of this forum for a few years now. Its an open forum. Give me a break guys. lighten up.
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Honesty is my only policy
www.mikepanicreptiles.com

Mike, it's a tough pill to swallow how you could disagree or see anything wrong with your colleagues here trying to save your "hobby." youre not a realist as much as it doesn't matter to you whether we keep our boas. Not mattering and our work being ineffective or futile are 2 different things. So if you said I dont care if they get on the lacey act I'd accept that more than what you're doing is futile as everyone knows that what we are doing is how rights are preserved. Fact. What you call realism is in fact then pessimism and you get what your getting, and buddy. Apathy is the worse kind of feeling you can voice in the times we boa folks are facing. And then you come here where we are supposed to encourage each other and piss on us. If you have negative stuff to spread, Better go to the usfws site and demoralize them and be a pal to us that way.

Manny, I didn't "piss" on you or anyone for that matter. In fact, you guys brought it down to that level. When it comes to politics and politicians, you're correct, I am a pessimist. I will give you that. I wouldn't be caught dead socializing with any politician and if I did, I certainly wouldn't be taking photos with them and jumping in the forum tooting my own horn when there are burm and retic breeders out there wondering what they will do with their collections. This was not a win. Not even close.
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Honesty is my only policy
www.mikepanicreptiles.com

Game,Set,match Mr MMA Manny!!

Shouldn't you be waxing

Once a Convic,always a convict
Keep your "man" preferences to your self
What you had in prison doesn't apply in the free world

If you had it in prison it makes you one in the real world too..I've you lay down and give up on the outside you do the same when you're inside. You practice how you play..

You started the pissing mike no one did it for you, take ownership of it, your bent views on rights and politics are the root and cowboy up on it. 1st be informed. Retic breeders are enjoying their collection as are we. Burm guys, if there are any left living on burm breeding did very little. Don't make imaginary pitty parades, case I challenge you to give me 5 breeders names that solely barred , African rocks or yellow anacondas and have their thriving business doing so. I'm not a fan of politics and I'm definitely not the sharpest tool in the shed but an idiot can recognize you gotta play the game to get things done. Our friends in the hsus are doing a killer job at it and if everyone lied down like reptile fellon, we'd be toast. we gotta keep up or your bloods and bloody albinos will be ny only sales, being in the same state with tom burke you got a big fish there so you WILL want to have access to the lower 48 collectors. Thanks to those that "crawled in mud" with the politicians and won over Hatch in Utah, Inhoffe in Oklahoma, Issa in CA. We and the retics guys fight another day. If you see something wrong with that you better check yourself.

Own what,lol. Again Manny,show me where I pissed on You. The " I'm glad its sunny for a day in Florida" comment? Is that it? If you take offense to that pal, you need some thicker skin. Show me in my initial post where I pissed on you. Clearly, from your choice of words and references(yes, your photos as well), you either already consider yourself a "big fish " or greatly want to be one. Either way that's fine and I understand that. All I'm saying is YOU(as I,) are not an authority on this topic and just don't go and take up arms against anyone who disagrees with ya. I implore you to put your monster ego aside and re-read my original post. Let me help you a bit. You shared an experience and your feelings about politicians. So did I. You think phone calls, letter writing and online petitions work. I think its fear of lawsuits and losing their(politicians) jobs that is most effective. We are on common ground with the donation of money. So what are you really upset with? You're upset because I didn't(and don't) fully agree with you. Thats all this is about. I don't know why you would bring Tom Burke's name into this. Perhaps you feel as though you are somehow on his level. Like I said, for me its not about competition. For you it very clearly is. That's ok and there's nothing wrong with it. For the record though, I am not the only person who feels this way. Maybe its just a bigfish thing and us little fish just don't understand you guys.

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Honesty is my only policy
www.mikepanicreptiles.com

Mike and Buddy you can have your opinions, and I am a conservative myself. You say you are a realist. A realist would know that all is not lost. A realist knows that conservative and liberal views will be here forever. A realist knows that battles can and have been won by the people over and over in this country. A realist knows that some politicians are very very good people who are trying to represent their constituents. Labeling all politicians as dirt is unfounded by facts. The point you are missing seems to me is that Manny and his efforts (along with several others) are going to help our cause. You think we need to do more. Im a realist myself, but I have a positive attitude. The hope of a conservative only party is about as realistic as me having wings. A realist would fight for the cause (I hope that you are). Any great ideas would be this realist. I would hope in the future your realism is surrounded by so much fantasy.

Yeah I got It. You're an optimist, I'm not. Very few politicians now days are good people and do things simply for the good of the people without putting their own self interests FIRST. If you believe otherwise, thats your business. If you really are a conservative and are in touch with modern politics, you would not be disputing that statement . Its not about that though either. Is it? It sounds like you and Manny obviously,think everyone should have praised him for all of his hard work and great accomplishments he has achieved. There are those like myself who simply think its not all warm and fuzzy and its not over. All I did was say as much. I'm sorry you guys dont like that. You guys attacked Buddy. Why? Because he disagreed with you. I'm still waiting for an explanation as to how I pissed on Manny. Maybe you can help him explain it.
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Honesty is my only policy
www.mikepanicreptiles.com

Your statement: "Very few politicians now days are good people and do things simply for the good of the people without putting their own self interests FIRST."

I think we found something we agree on, and this is exactly why we meet them, USARK especially does this well, we go in humbly but we're not on our knees if you think that you're sadly mistaken. We put out there the # of herpers 4.3 million nationwide. 1.4 billion dollar industry and we let them know that we're looking at them for help and 1 hand washes the other...believe you me it is left without saying that our combined #s could be voting for them if they're a friend of the herper or maybe swayed by another politician who is...I thought I told you I knew I was meeting with a politician not the clergy. This is a negotiation not beggar and beggee.

I wasn't expecting all to agree or praise, unfortunately even when you're helping and doing good by others there will be nay sayers and they serve as the best motivations..

I am just saying that what Manny did was a good thing for all of us. I agree with you the fight is not over and NEVER will be over. This is worth fighting over and anything that you , Buddy , Manny , myself USARK .............. I cant speak for Manny , but I DONT THINK HAS ANY ILLUSION that the fight is over. I really dont have a beef with your opinion, or Buddy's opinion. I just didnt think it was appropriate to take a good news story and to then use it to be negative. No harm meant by me and I like your opinions and passion. Manny deserved a litttle glory here in my opinion. Lets move on.

Dan, I hope you know me well enough to know that I'm not laying down, neither is Mike. I have absolutely no faith in our legal system or our Government as it is today.

Unlike many here I have been in a battle with the all powerful HSUS....twice! I went to war with a group that is far better heeled and organized then we are and lost. Coming out of the frey bruised, battered and broke. So I think I might have a better understanding of what they are capable of then some of our bright eyed associates.

I have also dealt with lobbyist. They are pandering whores selling their influence to the highest bidder. Trust me if Andrew gets in their way they will try to buy him......Oh yes they will.... I've seen it happen.

So you guys can put a happy spin on this if you want but the outcome will remain the same. I applaud Manny and the rest for stepping up. We need criers out there to carry the message. As for me and my collection we will let the Whirling Dervishes whirl while staying our course of self preparedness. Remember Mr Manny....it's the squeaky wheel that gets the grease.

In my past dealings with HSUS the loudest voices were beheaded first......just saying.

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Regards,
Buddy

Exactly!!
Nobody is laying down,facts be what they
are.For some this is their first go dealing with
pets and politics.
Very well said Buddy!!

One day soon many will be glad they
get to keep what they have.

I dont think that you are lying down, and you have valid points. We are up against a machine for sure, but we can and will win in the end. I have a different view than you on this and I will always believe that their is way more good than bad in this world. Its a lifetime battle , and if thge squeaky wheel makes noise and is beheaded , that will make us stronger. I dont think we will lose this battle as long as we keep fighting.

History doesn't always repeat itself. Every win has to have a loser and a winner, And some deals just can't be won, I strongly believe ours (boas) has a fighting chance. Fighting being the operative word. Burms was just too much to overcome....

You're statements are contradictory. Letter writing doesn't work. The last 3 reptile bans in states since 1-18-12's federal ruling (NH, WI, IL) were greatly swayed by what you say doesn't work. That's a fact. If you're unaware those are facts. They were coordinated by usarks site and made a world of difference. If you were aware then you're not playing straight. I think you just didn't know. So having 3 states swayed by the combined calls and letters been the case-why do you think that was? I'll tell you- the state houses are answering to people's wants, the squeaky wheel gets grease, the large opposition says "votes are at stake we better get it right." and that's your argument sway votes or change your reps, how will this happen in the short time frames we have to make these campaigns. These campaigns require action then and there and this is out only peaceful resource. AND they've worked!!! Meanwhile you're "pissing" on facts! And this is where I take issue with you. Elections are excellent but senators like Nelson have 6 year terms, in the meantime would you just sit around and let his policy making destroy us for that length of time? In your recent post you mentioned retics were banned which is bad facts. So I'm chalking a lot of what you're saying to you just don't know what's going on around the hobby.

Why I brought up Tom Burke, bc if boas go lacy you being in his state, only able to sell to your state, you will have some stiff competition, therefore you may want to offer your offspring to the rest of the country which as a whole will have the demand to keep your project well. I'm no big guy, I don't love off boas, they are very much a hobby I have revenues seeger but they're not the income I use for my household. Anyway if it took me 3 tries to explain why your comments are like pissing then I hope 3 times a charm.

Obviously I mis-spoke on the retics and I will also admit I may not be as informed as I should be. Unlike you, I don't throw names around but through talking with other boa people there seems to be a general feeling of this thing isn't over yet. After receiving 16 form letters and speaking with numerous assistants to the Reps, yes Manny, I NO LONGER BELIEVE THAT PHONE CALLS AND LETTERS WORK. I'm sorry you don't like that but too bad. Congrats Manny, you have gotten the praise you were after. I look forward to your next photo op.

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Honesty is my only policy
www.mikepanicreptiles.com

You know what Manny, I went back and re-read my initial post and I just don't see what has you so bent out of shape. I just don't see it. Put your ego away and re read it. What's the problem?
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Honesty is my only policy
www.mikepanicreptiles.com

1st I'm not bent out of shape. 2nd wasnt looking for praise i was hoping to get info to others to do the same/similar.I crossed my fingers nay Sayers would stay clear I admitt but what can you do. 3rd letters working or not working is not an opinion you can have. And this is where you and i butt i guess. They either work or they don't. And it's not a "faith" issue, this is not religion here. You may have faith for or against a lot of stuff that you can't put your finger on, but it's been well documented and evidence proves the letter and calls made in the past 3 state rulings paid huge dividens. Your backround in law would tell you evidence is what points at something and lack of it points in a different direction. These letters in the federal ban did good, raised eyebrows and got the attention of some important players to pay attention. You've said it repeatedly and each time I used the piss term because there's evidence there you just don't want to absorb for whatever reason.

If you said I don't like being in a weak position I don't like pleading or asking please cause I'm proud and strong and all of this is ridiculous, I would immediately agree you have that opinion and youd be correct in labeling this very much ridiculous. But the hard work thousands of letters and calls, made in the past 30-45 days no less, don't turn a blind eye to it cause it was hard effort from your colleagues. So it's not about me or ego I'm the 1st one tell you I didn't do enough in these past issues cause of things going on in my career and my way of making up for it was to do something like this senator thing..

Mike,

I'm not sure if I'm one of the "you guys" you are referring to but to be clear, I do not disagree significantly with what you've written. I have said almost the same thing in previous posts. http://forums.kingsnake.com/view.php?id=1962891,1962920 This is also a hobby for me, not a business, but the fight has gone beyond being a reptile issue, it's an assault on my liberties. I agree with that position 100%.

The: let's all go underground, trying is futile and pointless, "if they want us they'll get us...end of story"" (I referred to it as a defeatist attitude in another forum) comments I did get upset with, and still do.

I have no problem with taking different approaches; I think covering all the bases is a wise move. We're all different, IRL I even embrace diversity. But what Buddy wrote stuck me, and obviously others, as an insult to someone that is clearly expending a lot of energy trying to improve our lot in his own way. In my opinion, we should be praising him for making the effort, whether it's "what we would do" or not. We shouldn't be telling him he's wasting his time. THAT is the behavior I adamantly disagree with, and exercised my right in saying so.

I don't want to beat a dead horse, and have no problem with conflict or disagreement, I just want to make sure I deserve it. .

Thanks,

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Mark
uncommonboa.com

Personally, I don't see what Buddy really did wrong but I understand and respect your position. For me, this is all about someones ego. Anyway. Take care. Mike Panichi
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Honesty is my only policy
www.mikepanicreptiles.com

Fair enough, thanks for the reply.

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Mark
uncommonboa.com

right on!! i agree with 1000% what you said, buddy spread this same chicken $H!T stuff on another forum.

the thing too is that the state level victories that just happened within the last 3 weeks are not well advertise as they were when the talks were happening or the letter/call campaign cattle calls were being asked for. and for a good reason, we dont want to brag and embolden the opposition to reload, but for those that think they know it all if they looked in the right places they will see that there has been a notch on the WIN column for the past 5-6 battles....a coward dies 1000 deaths...

The KS fab five think your a terrorist
when you talk like that on THEIR forum.

Let them chase their rainbows,the other movement
has long since begun.
Everyones opinion is VALID here,don't let them
push you around with their sandbox BS.
They are just as welcome to take their toys and go home
as any other.

i wonder about you and your type of the government came around to sodomize its peopple would you lie there and take it cause the to fight is for the "sheeple"? i mean the way you speak it seems you would...2nd ammendment was formed not just to protect yourself against looters, trespassers and thieves but against oppressive governments. definition of opression is to force upon you unjustly. 2nd amendment and rights and freedoms are used by the strong and able and is why you're in a land that speaks english and not spanish or french, cause the founders of this country were not sheeple, and had nerve. i hope you find yours one day, cause behind your bravado and know it all attitude is a huge case of cowardice. dont think you're fooling anyone here thinking you know something we dont, it just says im a coward and i am waiting for the government's sodomize commitee to come knocking and during the wait im waxing the area so its nice and smooth for them.

Always the tuff guy.......
I don't live to impress,my world is more then
adequate.I don't need snakes or social media
crutches as my measure.

always the coward.

youre the sheeple.

You mention lawsuits, but you cant sue somebody because they may vote this way or that way. You sue after the fact (we do not want that.... do we ?)what proof can you provide that says letter writing does not work ? It seems to me that the letters and phone calls have highly effective. A form letter may not be what you want , but you said it yourself "They only care about being elected or re-elected" A few thousand form letters about our cause lets them know we will be voting. (Common sense). You make valid points , but it seems to me USARK and the letter campaigns will acieve what you are wanting. FREEDOM. Just sad you choose to rain on a very positive event for all of herp nation. You have more boas than me by the way. I have about 6 adult females. Your heart seems to be in the right place, but you need take off the blinders. WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER

Manny,

Thanks so much for doing this!

John Manser

Manny..your passion is awesome and thank you..! for your effort and USARK...you must play by there rules to fight.. and science is proof..no boa can live in North America except made be south Fla and very south texas..and thats pushing it..we all know this.
for some to come here and shoot their opinion is Wrong .its just not productive.
So keep your junk opinions to your self or pick up another hobby...pound sand!

I am very very envigorated these past few days since the meeting and moreso from the folks on here that have really given me kudos than for the meeting itself. Again we saw based on comments how we as a unit are still fractured, there have been a number of ugly heads reared that have proved they rather live on their knees than die on their feet. Its OK, we are all fighting the good fight and will continue to do so even for those guys to enjoy their boas freely and nationally.

Again I am revitalized and am looking forward to this year's baby season to hit the high litter months to see all the new and wonderfull morphs we are all hard at work with.

THANK YOU AGAIN TO ALL!!!

Thank You very much.

....and you know I big time appreciate you Andrew Wyatt!!!!-Charlie