Please read, about forum rumors and NRIP (long)

[BHB]

Posted on my blog and pasted here:

I don’t believe in getting into Internet wars and falling into the trap of responding to stupid rumors. In this case I’ll respond in this blog because I have been asked to respond on so many forums. If you wish feel more the welcome to post this on any forum or share this anyone you’d like.

The rumor goes, that I’m somehow in negotiations with PIJAC and congress to help put the small reptile breeders out of business with a re-write of hr669.

Lets take a look at this statement so everyone understand how crazy this it. First if I had that kind of power I wouldn’t be breeding snakes, I would be running the country or something. It’s amazing that anyone would think that I have that kind of pull anywhere. Lori hardly lets me make a decision at my house let alone me making backdoor deals with the congress. Second, my customers ARE small breeders and hobbyist, if I put them out of business who do I sell my animals too?? I’m not one of the big breeders that has accounts with the big chain stores. I rely on selling to YOU to pay my bills, I take YOU out of the picture and I don’t have a job! Third, most of this talk evolves around NRIP ( National Reptile Improvement Program) it’s a voluntary program that was implemented in 2003 to help in the heart water tick problem in Florida. As far as I know there are two companies that are accredited with NRIP and I have been vocal on how I do not support the current NRIP program because it would be hard for smaller companies and hobbyist to qualify. I have no doubt that PIJAC if needed will make adjustments, although I think at this time there has been no talk of needing to do anything being that there are bigger fish to fry at the moment. Not to mention hr669 is not a reptile bill. Why would the congress want to implement something that has to do with reptiles when they are talking about ALL non-native species, it just doesn’t make sense???It doesn’t solve their problem. As for my involvement with PIJAC, I am a member and a supporter as well as a member and supporter of USARK. Do I agree with everything that both parties do all the time, absolutely not! They both have holes and I will continue to help if ever asked to make their organizations better for all of us. That’s it nothing more. I don’t have the keys to the car people.

Lastly on a personal note, I was accused of not taking a phone call from someone to explain my position on this. I can promise you that phone call never came from this person. I have talked with hundreds of people over the last month about hr669 and have never shy ed away from anyone. I will at anytime talk to anyone about this topic, so if you want to say I don’t have the balls to talk to you about it. Why don’t you put the proof up that you called me???? Post your phone record??? Because you can’t! You never called or never left a message. You need to grow up and get out of acting like you’re in third grade. I have too much on my plate to deal with people that just want to divide the hobby while I’m doing everything in my power to help unite it.
If we continue down the road trying to make this about PIJAC or USARK or nohr669, we will not have a hobby to have to worry about. Does everyone understand what’s at stake here??? hr669 is not dead, not by a long shot. Not to mention s373 or the other damaging bills that are coming down the pike. Look into what HSUS has in store for us, their postage budget is larger then the entire budget for PIJAC (that’s not a joke). So you think we should be putting the effort into fighting about who deserves the credit for this or that or do you think we should realize who the real enemy is here. I know if I was part of the HSUS right now I would be licking my chops thinking what fools the reptile community is right now. Do we want to join together and support whatever organization we feel fills our needs so we can fight the enemy or do we want to make each other the enemy??? Making up stories and rumors about one another to strengthen our political position in the hobby??? The hobby I’m fighting for is the one that we all put our differences aside when we are threatened like we are now.

This is where I stand and feel free to contact me anyway you want to discuss it further. bhb@comcast.net 586-263-4686

[waltah!]

Well said man.

[stormwulf133]

Very well said man. I have a huge amount of respect for you.

[wolfy-hound]

Don't let ridiculous accusations get you down Brian.
We all should be sticking together with all pet owners.

[mooingtricycle]

Its also posted on the thread that this is about... that this program is VOLUNTARY.

I shake my head Brian. YOU. ARE one of the good guys. Youve got my support!

[wilomn]

Brian, anyone who thought you were not altruistic, anyone who has accused you of doing anything that wasn't for the betterment of this hobby of ours, is an ass.

You've always been one of the good guys, one of the smart guys and I, merely one of many, know you always will be.

Thanks man.

[rabernet]

Brian,

Don't let people get you down. I've only had the pleasure of speaking with you once, when Nohr669.com launched (OK, well also in Daytona) and I'm pretty good at picking out people who are con artists or have less than altruistic motivations - and YOU are not one of them.

I'm willing to bet that most people read that thread, and simply shook their heads. Please keep your head up, try not to let this eat you up, and keep fighting the good fight with us! The Reptile Nation needs you!

[West Coast Jungle]

As much as I love reptiles and this hobby the one thing I dont enjoy is all the drama and the feuds. It is unproductive, unnecessary and is a detriment to uniting this hobby we so love.

In all the years I know you Brian you have always been friendly,informative, professional, enthusiastic about what you do and I have never heard you say anything negative about anyone although that courtesy is not always given back to you. Jealousy is an ugly emotion and brings out the ugly side of people. Since you are one of the big dogs this will always be directed at you.

I dont know anything about these accusations or to whom they are directed but do agree with you 100% that it's about winning the war and not pinning a medal on your chest or bad mouthing others.

We need to put our differences aside and unite to fight the real enemy(not each other).

Who cares who did the most and if its PIJAC or USARK( I am a memeber of both) or one person in particular. Its not about the glory but the freedom to enjoy our animals and give that gift to the next generation.

Keep fighting the good fight!

[Mettle]

It's a shame that you even have to make a post like this and just show the low calibre of some in this hobby. Luckily I think the good far out number the bad and you sir are definitely amongst the good. Thanks for all your efforts and everything you've done and will continue to do for this hobby.

[Custom Exotics]

This is what scares me about all the legislation that is out there now trying to put a stop to our hobby/businesses. Its not that I think the congress has what they need to implement this legislation, its that with actions like this (what happening here against Brian) is that we are going to crumble from the inside, we are going to beat ourselves! PIJAC and USARK are not, in my opinion, working nearly close enough to be a united front against this legislation, and until they do, we will still have these die hard USARK or die hard PIJAC supporters slandering the motives of the other, and slamming the "big breeder" supporters of each. I have and always will be a big supporter of Brian Barczyk and BHB Enterprises. When I first started in this hobby, he was one of the first I called to purchase animals from. I am not a big breeder, far from it, I am a hobbyist working out of a bedroom in our condo, I was not spending alot of money with Brian, but I remember Brian talking with me over an hour on the phone, not trying to get more money out of me, but trying to make sure he helped me make the right decision in the situation I was in. I have not once regretted that decision I made, with his help, it helped me get a great start in this hobby, and like Brian said, if he was against the small/hobbyist breeder, why would he take this time out of his day to help me, when he could be making so much more money elsewhere? Since then I have talked to Brian many times, not to make purchases but just to "pick his brain", and everytime he is more than willing to take that time out of his day to help me out, and pull his self away from possibly closing a big sale with someone here in the US or abroad, because he wants to improve the hobby. I am glad Brian spoke up today, because I see multiple places on the web where people start nasty rumors about Brian, knowing that he can care less and wouldnt speak up and front them out on the subject, because he is a nice guy and doesn't associate himself with that nonsense. Its rediculous people, when are we going to grow up and stop blaming people in our hobby, for trying to destroy a hobby, them themselves are a part of? How much sense does this make? Lets turn our attention to what really matters, and that is congress and the HSUS and how they are trying to take the animals we love away. Lets work together and hopefully get PIJAC and USARK doing the same thing, so we can establish ourselves against these groups, and strengthen the foundation of the hobby we love!