RED ALERT: Stop Federal Python BAN!

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Originally Posted by Arsany

NOOOO
people are signing the wrong petition!!!
the real one is on the white house website!!!

https://wwws.whitehouse.gov/petition...4Y#thank-you=p

people we need 25,000 signed petitions for this!
please go on the website and sign!!

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........and what is this petition supposed to do?

Why are so many people recommending a petition that even USARK says to not waste your time signing?

The petitions are pointless. The act of adding an animal to the Lacey Act is an administrative task performed by the USFWS, not a legislative action performed by congress.

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Originally Posted by Maixx

The petitions are pointless. The act of adding an animal to the Lacey Act is an administrative task performed by the USFWS, not a legislative action performed by congress.

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:)

^ You guys are probably right, and have done your research. But you commenting on here is doing us no good. What if we all sat back and did nothing, then how would it look? What if we never tried? Sometimes you get lucky, but thats only if you try.

Do us a favor and go troll somewhere else, your know-it-all attitude makes me sick. You may know your stuff but its not currently doing us any good.

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Originally Posted by RideRed12

^ You guys are probably right, and have done your research. But you commenting on here is doing us no good. What if we all sat back and did nothing, then how would it look? What if we never tried? Sometimes you get lucky, but thats only if you try.

Do us a favor and go troll somewhere else, your know-it-all attitude makes me sick. You may know your stuff but its not currently doing us any good.

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There are positive things you can do.

The USFWS petition is not one. Name calling is another one that will get you nowhere.

There are several states, counties, cities and towns where legislation and ordinances are being discussed banning certain reptiles. These are instances where petitions and letters would be great.

By blowing your collective wad and focusing on something that won't do anything, you are being negative. By showing PETA, and HSUS and the array of forces arrayed against reptile ownership that we can only muster 5K signatures, you are doing nothing but showing a weak hand.

I've tried for the better part of a week to point out that not only would a petition on the USFWS rule change be a waste of time, but that even USARK was telling people to stop wasting time on the petition.

In the meantime, both Virginia and Rhode Island are facing bans. Written any letters or signed any petitions for those two states, Oh Fearless Troll Slayer?

Great point, good thing you've got all the time in the world to completely research everything on the subject. Good job, you get a gold star.

Oh and who calling anyone any names? I believe that was you, not me.

Skiploder, what else can we do now then? I want to help but I'm not sure how--should I write a letter to Rhode Island or Virginia? :please: Not sure what to do, but I certainly don't want to waste time--we have none, it seems.
Please let me know and consider it done. :gj:

Ridered, for the record, your post contained the following phrase:
"your know-it-all attitude makes me sick."
:P
Think that is what "name calling" was in reference to.

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Originally Posted by RideRed12

Great point, good thing you've got all the time in the world to completely research everything on the subject. Good job, you get a gold star.

Oh and who calling anyone any names? I believe that was you, not me.

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It took my all of two minutes to read USARK's press release and all of three minutes to read the USFWS service rule change announcement.

5 minutes of my time. How many minutes did you waste on signing the stupid petition and urging more people to waste their time and their effort?

Now unless you have something positive to recommend, unwad your panties and shove off.

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Originally Posted by shelliebear

Skiploder, what else can we do now then? I want to help but I'm not sure how--should I write a letter to Rhode Island or Virginia? :please: Not sure what to do, but I certainly don't want to waste time--we have none, it seems.
Please let me know and consider it done. :gj:

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You know Shellie, it's funny that there are several impending State bans on snakes and you have to look REAL hard and do some digging to find out who to contact in terms of organizing opposition.

Both the Virginia and Rhode Island legislation is in it's earliest stages - so many of the organizations are waiting to see how the support and opposition in the State Legislatures pans out.

However, both USARK and PIJAC are fighting, so the easiest thing to do is to donate to one or both groups.

The senate committee members for the RI Legislation are:

David Bates
Daniel Da Ponte
MaryEllen Goodwin
Nicholas Kettle
Michael MacCaffrey
Susan Sosnowski
Bill Walaska

Their e-mail addresses and mailing addresses are easy to find.

The committee member for Virginia are:

Hanger
Watkins
Puckett
Ruff
Blevins
Obenshain
McEachin
Petersen
Northam
Stuart
Marsden
Stanley
Black
Miller
Ebbin

E-mails are great for people who live out of state - as the Aides can't toss them aside as not "mattering", they most often assume you are a resident.

Use a form e-mail which should politely and respectfully mention:

(1) Point out that none of the listed animals could become invasive to (insert state here). Steer them to this article:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0812213816.htm

(2) State your concern about what happens to current owners of these species. Are they expected to get rid of these animals? Or will there be a “grandfather” clause for current owners to ensure unintended consequences of such a ban?

(3) That by imposing a complete ban will, they will drive the trade of these species underground, further taxing the coffers and resources of law enforcement and fish and wildlife enforcement agencies, and criminalizing previously law abiding and tax paying citizens.

(4) That a full study needs to be done on the financial impacts of such a ban. Politely point out that while neither Rhode Island or Virginia is at no risk for an invasive issue, there WILL be a hit to the economy as the result of this legislation. As a citizen and a voter you want to know the magnitude of that impact.

Again, Shellie, make a generic form copy of this e-mail on Word to either print out if needed or to use for other states.

I maintain a couple of e-mail addresses, my wife and my kids have them also, I send the e-mails out from all of them.

Try to hook up with members from herp societies and clubs in those affected states:

http://www.virginiaherpetologicalsoc...inks/links.htm

.......and see what they are doing and how you can help.

Lastly, understand the process. These bills have to go through several committees and often several readings and amendments before they are finally voted on. There are long periods of inaction, so it is important that you realize that until the bills are defeated, they haven't gone away.