Might not be likely but not tinfoil hat territory either.Originally Posted by sho220
That made me laugh. Write to their senators? Because someone had a snake at a park? Really???
I know sometimes people do some flaky things, but come on...that's tinfoil hat territory right there...
The python ban in Florida (where I live) didn't become law because people thought snakes are cool in parks. We had a good debate going with lots of support from the reptile community but the ban went up anyway - because some people were vocal about banning them and a majority of people didn't care enough to make their opinions known while a very small minority tried to stop it. I will guarantee you that Bill Nelson will run for his Federal Senate seat without even a smidgen of this reptile ban endangering his campaign.
We show off our snakes for educational purposes but we do it through people coming to visit us in our homes or having a show-and-tell at my kids' classroom (pre-arranged with the teacher, etc.) or show-and-tell at the Boy Scout Patrol meeting (to get their reptile badges) or as an exotic exhibit at the church's Halloween Party (Mike Cavanaugh brought a very nice display - like the ones at the reptile expo - with all his awesome snakes, like 40 of them - to my church!).
The thing is - people go there expecting to see snakes so it's good experience all around.
If you notice, snake-phobic people who go to zoos don't mind seeing snakes there. That's because they expect to see them there. Therefore, it is a positive educational experience because their minds are open.
This is not the same as an education from some dude with a python at the park. The curious ones get a good education - they will be the ones who wouldn't have a problem with it in the first place. The phobic ones will just get more phobic and.... vote yes on legislation when it hits the senate floor.
Responsible education. That's the key.
