Just my 2 cents

[Jhussey]

The past 6-7 months have been a stressful time for people like us. Our loved one (our reptiles) are in danger of being taken away from us because of the irresponsible. The more I read about all the laws and regs put before our government makes me fearful that we are not gonna win this fight no matter how hard we try. Don't give up. I'm not. I'm just saying, things look grim to me. Yes we have people on our side, but it seems like there are more people against us than for us.

I'll beat to death a topic that's been discussed already. The two new shows on Animal Planet; Killer Aliens and Fatal Attraction. I used to enjoy watching AP. They always had fun, edjucating shows. Lately however it seems, like all TV anymore, that they are into the scare and shock factor more than the facts themselves. Someone said it in another post, the "Jerry Springer" style garbage on TV. It seems they want people to look at snakes and lizards as viscious killers and man eaters. Important facts are being left out to, in my opinion, scare people. I'm sure we all remember the story about the python last year that got ahold of the infant. Tragic yes, but has anyone telling the story mentioned that the snake was 1) underfed and 2) improperly housed? No. Not to my knowledge atleast on these shows on TV.

I can understand wanting to regulate certain things. Doesn't mean I agree with it, but I understand it. The bans and regulations trying to be passed will, as we all here know, do much more harm than good. Those of us who are legally purchasing our pets, and have the proper knowledge and means to care for them will pay for it. I am allergic to the dander in most cats and dogs. So when I was a kid my dad got me some anoles and geckos. From that point on I was hooked on reptiles. So am I to be punished because some jackass wants a king cobra as a pet but lacks any knowledge on them and the means to care for it? This whole issue is the same as it is with gun control. Regulating the honest people wont stop the dishonest from doing what they are doing.

Anyway I'm sorry this post really has no point I suppose. I've just been frustrated lately by all these issues and I wanted to vent alittle.

Thank you all for your support here. Let's stick together and keep fighting

[West Coast Jungle]

Fear has been used for centuries to motivate the ignorant. That is exactly what is happening here. Florida politicians want Federal money and need to scare the rest of the country into thinking that the Everglades problem will soon be their problem, not just an isolated Everglades one. Since most people have a fear of snakes, especially large ones, this has become a fear propaganda campaign and the media has been more than happy to help out since fear also gets TV ratings. Ever see the commercials "This is the next killer, news at 11!" Reality is irrelevant as long as you tune in. AP has decided to go this route too, very sad.

What we need to do is EDUCATE people, pet owners and politicians. That would be the most effective way of overcoming the situation in the Everglades and abroad. Unfortunately Florida politicians are not interseted in education but just federal $. So lie they will.

Politicial leaders use fear over fact quite alot as it is a much stronger motivator to get what they want

[4theSNAKElady]

Politicial leaders use fear over fact quite alot as it is a much stronger motivator to get what they want

You have no idea how true that statement is, not just with the subject of keeping pets....but everything. Look at the world around you.....the shows you see on T.V., what you read in the newspaper, the drug companies/medical care, the economy....god don't get me started with that. Nothing but the "merchants of chaos" hard at work....