Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Is everyone afraid the Gov. is reading the forum? The chatter has stopped. Understandable. Hope your having a fantastic 4th.of July. If it's still legal. I've got the paper work from 7-4-1776. Vic Morgan

I wonder if, with the new Executive Order about the Wildlife Trafficking Task Force, that people aren't afraid this and other similar forums aren't being MORE actively monitored than before...

Remember, in the eyes of many, herpers are just poachers.
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Chris McMartin
www.mcmartinville.com
I'm Not a Herpetologist, but I Play One on the Internet

>>Is everyone afraid the Gov. is reading the forum? The chatter has stopped. Understandable. Hope your having a fantastic 4th.of July. If it's still legal. I've got the paper work from 7-4-1776. Vic Morgan
>>

I can only speak for myself, by I imagine there are at least a few others out there like me. All the ridiculous laws being proposed on local, State and Federal levels are not the problem... they are a symptom of a much, much bigger problem. With all due respect to the forum, I just don't really care any more if some council member in Podunk, Arkansas is trying to ban ball pythons or "constrictor snakes over 3.4' long." If we've gotten to that point, there are bigger fish to fry, like fighting to take back our country. And besides, some of the other symptoms of a huge, oppressive government (ie, horrible education system, rising food and energy prices, etc.) take a priority of reptile ownership. As much as I love herps, taking care of my human family comes first.

I also imagine that a lot of people have just given up fighting. After a while, taking the time to write/call politicians and seeing no results get's pretty frustrating, to say the least.

As far as not posting here out of fear that big brother is watching, that doesn't apply to me. I'm still living in the old days where we I believe we ALL have freedom of speech.

I agree that fighting all these ridiculous bylaws, regulations and potential bans is tiresome, but we are getting amazing results simply by thwarting the titans, such as HSUS, PETA, and now, USFWS, in their efforts to further their own agendas at out expense. Otherwise, we would have lost already!

I say, if you love reptiles, keep fighting!

>>I say, if you love reptiles, keep fighting!

I think you missed my point, or maybe I wasn't articulate enough. That we (American citizens) have to fight to be "allowed" to keep certain types of pets is not the root problem; it's a symptom of a much, much bigger problem. That organizations like HSUS even exist and have the power to control legislation is a symptom as well. Things will not get any better for reptile owners (or anyone who doesn't want to the government to be his/her mommmy and daddy) until more people realize we have to move beyond only fighting for our own personal interest(s). In other words, we need to fight for others' ability to pursue happiness, not just our own. Besides, I simply don't have enough time, energy and/or money to fight the government on all the personal issues where the government is trying to control my life (my kids' education, my firearms, taxes, reptiles, etc., etc.)

The way I look at it is by trying to envision what the Founding Fathers of this country would do if they were around today. It's hard for me to believe that they would spend much time asking corrupt politicians for "permission" to own a certain type of python. Don't get me wrong, I love reptiles as much as anyone; just because I may not agree with your strategy doesn't mean I don't.