A Challenge - Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is

For the record, I am not for or against such legislation - I see the merit but I also see where it could be built upon to further restrict our rights.

The reason why I bring it up is simple - why did Mr. Wyatt and Ms. Chen-Walsh deny something that they clearly did say?

Her quotes:

Kevin,

I just double checked with Andrew. This is not true. Andrew has never proposed the North Carolina statute in any other state, not prior to joining USARK, not during his tenure with USARK and not since.

There seems to be a general desire to smear Andrew Wyatt by a few members of the community. I am not saying that is what you are doing here, Kev, but you know I have heard this before and you know where I have heard it.

Let me state clearly, Herp Alliance is not proposing the NC bill in any state nor do we have plans to do so. If there is a different reason why this is relevant, by all means let me know.

Thanks,
Erika


Kev,

Thanks for clarifying. That is an absolute NO. Wyatt has never proposed it anywhere else.

SC twice tried to hijack it on their own and Andrew killed it both times. The last time was in 2012 when Andrew and USARK's former lobbyist, Frank Vitello, killed it. Vitello was working for TIGERS. They tag teamed the senator and he pulled the bill.

Kev, consider your source, please.

Erika

and Kevin's questions:


Hi Erika,

This same set of rigorous standards was offered to South Carolina......... It was rejected but "offered' as I understand it. I am not interjecting ANYTHING about OHIO since there are people such as yourself that are in the trenches and know first hand.

I am interested in these Regs. being offered to another state that was NOT in the process of changing its laws.

I am trying to clarify this point. Can I please get a response if you know anything about this?


Kev



I am just looking for total clarification that NOTHING like this was ever done or even "spoken of".... I am responding to things that have been said over and over again and I am trying to unravel the mystery here.

To be painfully clear..... not word play, these regs. or a rendition of such regs. has never been offered, regarded, mentioned, endorsed or elluded to.
No one from S.C. State agencies has engaged in conversations regarding their existing laws and changes to the above....?

Ok, so the official statement is a firm NO. There are no set of dots that can be connected here.... These types of conversations have never occurred?


And Erika, you know I think the world of you! I am not trying to poke you...I just need absolute clarity to such facts.... I need to clarify the things that I am led to believe.


Thanks - Kev

Am I looking at this wrong?

And then there's this...

http://www.starnewsonline.com/articl...9988?p=1&tc=pg

Reptile rules among new N.C. laws taking effect

By Gary D. Robertson
Associated Press

People who own crocodiles, venomous snakes and large pythons in North Carolina must secure them in containers and face prosecution if the reptiles gravely attack a friend or stranger in legislation that takes effect Tuesday in North Carolina.

The new reptiile rules are among more than 50 largely criminal justice laws approved this year, including a texting-while-driving ban for all motorists, more authority for state officers who oversee probationers and the most significant changes to the state's sentencing grid since it began.

The minimum safety requirements for keeping dangerous reptiles are designed to update an abridged 60-year-old reptile law, said Andrew Wyatt of Coinjock, president of the United States Association of Reptile Keepers. Increasing numbers of people now own these reptiles as a pet or for business who aren't linked to zoos or museums.

“People that want to work with the“People that want to work with these type of animals are going to have to meet best industry management practices,” said Wyatt, who helped draft the state legislation sponsored by Sen. Ed Jones, D-Halifax. “They're going to have to step up to the plate to make sure that all the proper protocols are adhered to.”se type of animals are going to have to meet best industry management practices,” said Wyatt, who helped draft the state legislation sponsored by Sen. Ed Jones, D-Halifax. “They're going to have to step up to the plate to make sure that all the proper protocols are adhered to.”

Private owners now will have to store or transport venomous reptiles, large constricting snakes and nonnative crocodilians in “escape-proof” and “bite-proof” enclosures with a working lock. The enclosures must be labeled to include emergency contact information and what should happen if the reptile bites someone or escapes.

Someone who intentionally or negligently handles these reptiles in an unsafe manner could be charged with a misdemeanor. The owner could face up to 150 days in jail if someone besides a family member or employee suffers a life-threatening injury or dies as a result. A current owner who doesn't want to follow the new rules also could face a similar punishment if the person releases a nonnative reptile into the wild, instead of finding a new owner.

An 8-foot pet python strangled a Florida toddler in July. The python's owner was the boyfriend of the child's mother, though Wyatt said he's not aware of any such accident occurring in North Carolina.

So I can feel like I have the right to be part of the conversation...

http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/...ps07ca4186.png

Hey Skip, I just donated another $10. If you'd like to send me an email address, I can forward a receipt to you.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by swansonbb

So I can feel like I have the right to be part of the conversation...

http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/...ps07ca4186.png

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Nice.

6 down, 14 to go.

Anybody check out the Kingsnake post?

http://www.kingsnake.com/blog/archiv...rew-Wyatt.html

Another USARK doubter willing to give the new Board a chance..........14 more donations and I more than double my monthly.

Tell you all what....if I can get get 50 people to donate by June, I will donate an additional payment of $150.00. That will put me at $450 for the year.

- - - Updated - - -

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Virus

Hey Skip, I just donated another $10. If you'd like to send me an email address, I can forward a receipt to you.

---

check your pm.

13 more 'til I go to $25 per month.

Here's one more Skip.
http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/...pse0adf6f2.png

Unless I'm not understanding something in my readings, it sounds like Herp Alliance is trying to cover their tracks from USARK to Herp Alliance. This creation of HA seem more like a captain (a term used loosely) abandoning a "sinking" ship.

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Beautiful!

12 more. Guess I better plan on skipping my morning cup of Peet's.........

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kodieh

Unless I'm not understanding something in my readings, it sounds like Herp Alliance is trying to cover their tracks from USARK to Herp Alliance. This creation of HA seem more like a captain (a term used loosely) abandoning a "sinking" ship.

Sent from my SAMSUNG Galaxy SIII using Tapatalk 2

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It'll all settle out in a few weeks. I have faith that the original ship will right itself. As for the new one, not so sure.

Sit tight and stay tuned.............

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Skiploder

It'll all settle out in a few weeks. I have faith that the original ship will right itself. As for the new one, not so sure.

Sit tight and stay tuned.............

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Oh, of course, I meant sinking as a false representation of what's going on. I'm excited for the variable future that hopefully turns positive for USARK. I'm donating now, of course.

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Can anyone else log into their account yet?

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...77690273_n.jpg

I couldn't figure out how to get the nifty screenshot but this was the email confirmation I received. I am investing my time, effort, and money into this hobby everyday. After all the money put into racks, mice, crickets, dubias, heat tape, ect... what is $5 a month to protect it. If I dig a bit deeper and it comes out that USARK is misappropriating funds then I will retract my support. However there is no time like the present. With the change of board, all the publicity, and all the critics hopefully USARK will grow and come out fighting to make this hobby less tabbo.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by M&H

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...77690273_n.jpg

I couldn't figure out how to get the nifty screenshot but this was the email confirmation I received. I am investing my time, effort, and money into this hobby everyday. After all the money put into racks, mice, crickets, dubias, heat tape, ect... what is $5 a month to protect it. If I dig a bit deeper and it comes out that USARK is misappropriating funds then I will retract my support. However there is no time like the present. With the change of board, all the publicity, and all the critics hopefully USARK will grow and come out fighting to make this hobby less tabbo.

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9 down - 11 to go.

I'm getting some kind of error with it accepting a credit card for recurring payments. I'll email or fuss with it later.

I used paypal.

I couldn't put a card directly on their site either, I had to go through PayPal.

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Figured since everyone else was I would donate another $10 I didn't get the thank you on USARK website but here is the paypalhttp://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...psbb84ac68.png

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Pennstater6

Figured since everyone else was I would donate another $10 I didn't get the thank you on USARK website but here is the paypalhttp://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...psbb84ac68.png

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It's okay - you'll get a big "thank you" from me.

10 more.

Just got this email from Ralph Davis:

Thanks!



Thanks,
Ralph



From: Hill, Kodie [mailto:kodieh@ostatemail.okstate.edu]
Sent: Tuesday, January 08, 2013 7:03 PM
To: ralph@ralphdavisreptiles.com
Subject: RE: 2 shirts


No worries! Glad to help the cause!
Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S™III, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone


Ralph Davis <ralph@ralphdavisreptiles.com> wrote:
Kodie……..the XL shirts are on back order. Please be patient and thanks for the membership!!

Thanks,
Ralph

Ralph Davis Reptiles, LLC

Liking the communication, not so hot on this "Most well funded reptile organization" slogan they've come up with though.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kodieh

Just got this email from Ralph Davis:

Thanks!



Thanks,
Ralph



From: Hill, Kodie [mailto:kodieh@ostatemail.okstate.edu]
Sent: Tuesday, January 08, 2013 7:03 PM
To: ralph@ralphdavisreptiles.com
Subject: RE: 2 shirts


No worries! Glad to help the cause!
Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S™III, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone


Ralph Davis <ralph@ralphdavisreptiles.com> wrote:
Kodie……..the XL shirts are on back order. Please be patient and thanks for the membership!!

Thanks,
Ralph

Ralph Davis Reptiles, LLC

Liking the communication, not so hot on this "Most well funded reptile organization" slogan they've come up with though.

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In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.

Since I can only wear one shirt at a time, I told them they could keep the second one for their next auction/promotion/whatever. Pennies add up to dollars.

I plan on giving my spare to my wife to wear to shows and what not. ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kodieh

I plan on giving my spare to my wife to wear to shows and what not. ;)

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Makes perfect sense. I don't have one of those. :D

Hey did anyone else receive an email from USHA after signing up with USARK?

I just got an email from them and have never signed up with anything. A few months ago I did request the email news letter from USARK.
You think Andrew took the mailing list with him?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 3skulls

Hey did anyone else receive an email from USHA ?

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Yup

I reckon the same thing, which I will be complaining soon about that. In the mean time, I've un subscribed officially.
Sent from my SAMSUNG Galaxy SIII using Tapatalk 2

I received an email as well... As far as I know I never signed up for anything :confusd:

I wonder if he owned the mailing list or if he took it.

http://usark.org/contact/

I have sent an email asking what is going on and how they would acquire my email address.

I can't find a privacy statement on the USARK site. My phone is acting up tonight.

Looks like USHA snarked USARK's email list............classy move.....:colbert:

Wyatt apparently parroted a lie about a member in USARK accusing him of being a child molester, and that's why he was asked to resign.

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Directly from Ken Foose's Facebook:

USARK and Andrew Wyatt Questions Answered Here

There is a lot of controversy and questions about what has been going on between Andrew Wyatt, Erica Walsh, USARK and myself. It's time to set the record straight. No more rumors, no more guessing. Although I don't like being the focal point of any of this, I am, and have resigned myself to this fact. So, here are the facts.
I was informed by a close friend who happens to have access to all kinds of herp related information that Erica Walsh accused me of being a pedophile. She claimed that I was arrested and convicted of this, and was incarcerated for this crime. This of course is completely false, and in fact I have never been arrested for anything in my life. Ever. I have never been accused of being a pedophile, or any other crime.

I contacted governing members of USARK and objected to being slandered, libeled and having my character defamed. At the USARK meeting on the Friday before the NARBC in Tinley, members of USARK met to discuss the accusations about me that were made by Erika Walsh being false, and her continued assistance to USARK. The USARK board was given few details to what was said but Andrew and Erika both knew the whole sorted story, that it was false, weeks before the USARK meeting. Friday afternoon Andrew Wyatt told someone during the show the same lie he knew to be false about me. This information got brought to Bob Ashley's attention Saturday night after the auction. Bob Ashley brought this to two USARK board members the next morning as well as to Brian Potter and Erika Walsh. Andrew Wyatt was asked by a USARK board member to leave the show early and go home.

I agreed with the USARK board to allow Andrew to stay on with USARK until the end of the year, allowing for him to represent our hobby and industry in Washington DC pertaining to HR511 before I filed a personal slander/libel suit against Andrew Wyatt and Erica Walsh. Once the end of the year came, Andrew "resigned" from USARK, and quickly announced his new group. I did not want to involve the board members of USARK in this lawsuit but the character of Walsh and Wyatt should be exposed.
These are all facts, are documented, have witnesses and can't be refuted.

Now for my own personal take on all this. I'm not worried about my reputation, as it is solid, and I have nothing to hide. Andrew was fired from his $80,000 a year job + traveling expenses because of saying an idiotic and untrue thing about me. He has now started a new group to directly compete for funding with USARK to regain his $80,000 a year salary I feel that Andrew Wyatt can't be trusted with our hard earned money, and our best bet is to continue to support USARK and PJAC with our funding. Andrew Wyatt is dishonest and self promoting, and is obviously not looking out for our best interests in our hobby and industry.
Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Thanks, Ken
Exotic Pets LLC
2410 N. Decatur #160
Las Vegas NV 89108
(702) 631-7387
fx (702) 631-7367
www.Exoticpetslv.com



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Yeah, that. Quite frankly childish if you ask me. Just down right childish.

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10 down 10 to go folks...............................

So since this thread has seemed to slow down alittle I figured I would throw alittle more incintive in with Skip.
For everyone of the 20 memberships/donations posted I will donate an additional $5. Currently we are at $50 and I will make the first donation next Friday Feburary 1st.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by C&H Exotic Morphs

So since this thread has seemed to slow down alittle I figured I would throw alittle more incintive in with Skip.
For everyone of the 20 memberships/donations posted I will donate an additional $5. Currently we are at $50 and I will make the first donation next Friday Feburary 1st.

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Ok we've been trying to make the $50 donation since last night, but have been having issues with the USARK donation/store page. As soon as they get it working again we will get the donation made and a screen shot posted!
Just curious if anyone else has had any issues with it as well?

I couldn't go through their page for it, had to do PayPal.

Sent from my SAMSUNG Galaxy SIII using Tapatalk 2

I did PayPal as well.

Went ahead and just sent the $50 donation via Paypal.

http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/...psfbb652f6.png

Quote:

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Originally Posted by C&H Exotic Morphs

Ok we've been trying to make the $50 donation since last night, but have been having issues with the USARK donation/store page. As soon as they get it working again we will get the donation made and a screen shot posted!
Just curious if anyone else has had any issues with it as well?

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I've been trying for the past 3 weeks to sign up for the sustaining bronze membership with the same issue. Paul Rodarte of Zoo-Med is supposedly working the problem.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by FragginDragon

I've been trying for the past 3 weeks to sign up for the sustaining bronze membership with the same issue. Paul Rodarte of Zoo-Med is supposedly working the problem.

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exact issue I'm having as well. hope it clears up soon.

11 down.

9 to go.

My 2nd months payment went through fine. Came out the other day.

Shirt never showed up :/

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 3skulls

My 2nd months payment went through fine. Came out the other day.

Shirt never showed up :/

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Took me a while to get my shirt too, could be just taking a while.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 3skulls

My 2nd months payment went through fine. Came out the other day.

Shirt never showed up :/

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Ditto

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wwmjkd

exact issue I'm having as well. hope it clears up soon.

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to clarify, I have successfully signed up for the sustaining bronze membership or whatever it's billed as. however, I haven't been able to log on using my membership or use the site to donate. the plan was to donate an additional $60 on top of the membership fee for an even $100.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wwmjkd

to clarify, I have successfully signed up for the sustaining bronze membership or whatever it's billed as. however, I haven't been able to log on using my membership or use the site to donate. the plan was to donate an additional $60 on top of the membership fee for an even $100.

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It took about a week or so before I could log in.

My shirts are on back order, I got email about it.

Sent from my SAMSUNG Galaxy SIII using Tapatalk 2

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Skiploder

11 down.

9 to go.

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I'm actually surprised(and a bit discouraged) to see only 11 people accounted(could be plenty more unaccounted for) for since Skip started this thread. I know there are a lot of Usark supporters on this forum, but I know there are a lot who aren't...which leaves me to think that there may be a high level of disinterest(in terms of fighting further legislation) amongst the community...of course until things boil down to effecting each of us personally. $60 a year for a membership/recurring $5 monthly donation is a drop in a bucket, and 20 people is hardly a tall order, IMO.

Don't know how i missed this thread. I just did the bronze member non-recurring signup. So, not the $5/month but its something. :p