Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Look...

I'm just giving everyone something to think about and spouting my point of view. I realize that. I encourage you all to voice your point of view as well. I didn't intend for this to get hostile.

For the record...I'm agnostic...and not at all ashamed to admit that. I don't have a problem with any religion...That's what makes our country great. You are free to believe what you want.
YOU are free to believe in scripture, I'm free to belive in science.

But I think this issue has NOTHING to do with religion and you are obviously not going to hear me quoting scripture.
Mr. Sagan makes a hell of a lot more sense to me. But that's just me.

The fact of of the matter is this,
it is obvious to me that large tracts of non-developed land are necessary for many species to survive. They don't need our HELP
to make it, they need our absence.

When land needs to be developed...it's tough to fight business.
And it's very easy for government to back business.

Do I think Bush is trying to do things that will harm native wildlife? Nope.

But do I think he cares? No f'in way.

I'm FAR from a "left wing wacko peta type" I keep and breed these animals in captivity, for crying out loud.

But I understand that the precious and unique ecosystems of this country must be preserved...less we risk losing MANY species for good.

Argue that if you will.

Respectfully,

Dean Alessandrini

TRUE......TRUE.....TRUE!!!

Dean, have you heard of any housing subdivisions being shut down here in Florida due to Indigos being found on the property? I can't recall reading of any such incident, and I am a Florida resident. Some animals apparently carry a bit more weight. Here in south Brevard County, you have to make sure that a vacant lot has no Florida Scrub Jay nests on it before you can clear it and begin construction. I also think that Florida Fish and Wildlife is taking a dim view of builders coming in and bulldozing gopher tortoise habitat when burrows are plainly visible. Maybe some other Florida residents are a bit more up to date on this(Van and Chris....time to chime in). I'll say one thing.......record low mortgage rates have probably wiped out more Indigos lately than ignorant people and automobile traffic. A lot more will disappear when all the citrus groves around here are sold off. That land is simply more valuable with a house on it, than with a bunch of Indian River pink grapefruit trees. That's just the way things are going here in the Sunshine State................Steve G.

BOy I must have missed something!....between getting ready to open our new wildlife center, teaching a college class, doing my PhD, research and on and on, I don't get on here as much as I would like.

We must all respect each other's views. I am a Christian, AND, I am a scientist (but not a Christian Scientist!...to me, science and the Bible go hand in hand (and I don't look at it as a religion versus science argument but rather one of philosophy and where we put our faith). I do believe that the evidence is overwhelming of a divine creator and Mr. Sagan's arguments are weak at best...but, I respect him as a person and in the end, it all comes down to where we put our faith in (which then shapes our philosophy of how the world began and how we see the world today). We can take ANY piece of evidence and tweek it to match our faith proposition.

But, Dean is absolutely 100% right in that we need to preserve land; and not only preserve, but practice sound land management protocols that will directly benefit eastern indigos and many other plant and animal species. I voted for Bush but I am now questioning some of his decisions; particularly as it relates to the environment. I also know that I would never want to be in the President's shoes...the pressures they endure are imaginable so I respect and appreciate his commitment to us.

There is no reason why we can't have differences in opinion; that's what makes us human and that's what makes life interesting....as long as we respect those opinions and in cases where there are REAL differences, that go right to our inner core, then we need to keep those differences between the parties at hand. Just my observation and sorry I didn't jump in on the conversation when it first surfaced.

Thanks Rob, you stated it well. The Bible & good science do go hand in hand.

I agree that conservation is very important & I will help out when I where I can. I really wanted to cotribute to Natalie's (that is her name, right?) research when Rob threw down the challenge, but the wife & I discussed it & we just didn't feel that we had the extra funds at the time. I will definately help out sometime soon!
But, if i'm going to be totally honest, I have to say that I get a bit nervous when I hear the word conservation thrown around and it's not because I have a problem with it. It's just that there are so many extremist groups out there who in my opinion do more harm than good that I tend to run to the other extreme. I realize this is an area that I must work on!

Eric

And you can believe that the work being done through the university of GA is not being run by extremists.

It's being done by scientists.

No one does any good by chaining themselves to trees laying down in front of bulldozers.

I assure you that those people don't do this kind of research.

I urge anyone who donates to any cause to do your homework before donating your hard earned money.

Thread moved form the indigo forum
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PHWyvern