Article in most recent issue of REPTILES magazine

[thegoalie22]

I just got my most recent issue of Reptiles magazine in the mail today. On pages 12-13, there was an interesting and fairly provocative article about S373, HR669 and the like. It pretty much restated the general consensus of BP.net. It was talking about how HSUS and PETA are stirring all this trouble up. One of the best quotes of the whole article "Many herpers and their families still naively send money to the HSUS to fuel its fight with us thinking the money goes towards saving abandoned puppies at local shelters." It's is great that things like that are views shared by the whole reptile industry, not just BP.net. It talked about what Bill Nelson has done to start this bill.

One of the most interesting points was that part of the reason that politicians are doing this and being so anti-reptile is that they are older and grew up in the generation that generally believes snakes are very dangerous. That is who a large majority of the voting demographic is, so they are just trying to buy votes.

I am very glad that the reptile nation as a whole is on the same page as far as who the "enemy" is, what specifically they are doing wrong, and what we can do to help.

I apologize for the rambling, this article just really struck me.

[j_h_smith]

There are still some that haven't taken up the fight because they are not python or boa breeders. They have the "it's not me" stance.

Jim Smith

[bsash]

I'm against banning any pythons, even though I do not own any large ones, I know how people can get attached to their animals.

[Aeries]

It was a very good issue overall all. That article will really help bring the issue out to many oher herpers who do not participate in forums, and hopefully further help the cause. The article about the reptile economy was very interesting too!

[bsd13]

I disagree with the idea that age plays a role in why politicians are doing this. They're doing it because it's a politically safe issue to take a stand on. Nothing more, nothing less. If they can ban the "monster" snakes then they can take it before the people and say "Look what I did to protect you. Don't forget it the next time you're at the ballot box!" Fact is that those who have nothing to do with reptiles far exceed the number of those of us who do and they're easy political capital.

[Tim Mead]

We're losing all kinds of Freedoms under the current Reign, I hope we make a good showing at the November polls..

[tonkatoyman]

This also has to do with the whole toe in the door thing. They start by taking away the least popular animals. Then eliminate one species at a time until they have banned pets all together. That is the ultimate goal of PETA and HSUS. By the way Bill Nelson is also playing to his base, which the radical animal rights people are a big part of. They are big givers to the liberal left.

[PurplePython]

Its a shame. Thanks for posting this thread though man. It's good to know that the word is spreading about whats going on. The more info we throw out there, hopefully more people will realise whats going on and help all of us keep our animals we love.

[thegoalie22]

I disagree with the idea that age plays a role in why politicians are doing this. They're doing it because it's a politically safe issue to take a stand on. Nothing more, nothing less. If they can ban the "monster" snakes then they can take it before the people and say "Look what I did to protect you. Don't forget it the next time you're at the ballot box!" Fact is that those who have nothing to do with reptiles far exceed the number of those of us who do and they're easy political capital.

Yes that is true that it is a politically safe thing. While it is not the reason they are doing it, I think age does play a factor. A disproportionate number of people in the U.S are middle aged. They are the ones that grew up being told to be scared of snakes. I am not at all saying that everyone in that generation is afraid of them, but a vast vast majority are. I guarantee if you were to line up 1000 20-35 year olds and 1000 45-60 year olds, a much larger percentage would have an aversion to snakes in the latter group.

This also has to do with the whole toe in the door thing. They start by taking away the least popular animals. Then eliminate one species at a time until they have banned pets all together. That is the ultimate goal of PETA and HSUS. By the way Bill Nelson is also playing to his base, which the radical animal rights people are a big part of. They are big givers to the liberal left.

I know that is there agenda, but I guarantee that will never happen. That would turn the U.S upside down and 180 degrees. People really love their pets.