Help USARK Defeat S373 Python Ban Today!

[ER12]

Help USARK Defeat S373 Python Ban Today!

It is rumored that S373 `The Python Ban' may be included in a large omnibus Natural Resources Bill during the `Lame Duck' session of Congress from now until the end of the legislative session. This provides the Reptile Nation an opportunity to kill S373 once and for all! Do Not allow powerful special interests to railroad S373 through in the 11th hour. Follow the link below and contact your two US Senators and ask them to oppose S373. USARK needs your help to Kill S373! Please take this opportunity to help win a great victory for the Reptile Nation.

Last Christmas USARK and the Reptile Nation rallied and produced a massive letter writing campaign that derailed S373... even after it passed Committee. Now we must reaffirm with our Senators strong opposition to this ill conceived legislation. If we turn out big numbers we will win again! Now is the opportunity to finish off S373 once and for all! Please spread the word to the four corners of the Reptile Nation. Forward this communiqué to your friends, family, co-workers, social networks and forums. There is Strength in Numbers… Protect Your Rights!

Click here to Defeat S373 `The Python Ban':
http://united-states-association-of-...op-python-ban/

[JLC]

Got the page bookmarked and will take an active role! Thank you!

[Russ Lawson]

Sent a much longer letter than the default just a minute ago. Also forwarded the link to a few friends to send. Will see how many more I can get to do it tomorrow.

[WingedWolfPsion]

Done. I also added to the letter.

[bbgeckoguy]

I sent them to my senators last nite, North Carolina senators that is.
I havent received a response from Senator Burr but Senator Hagan sent me what looks like a form letter, lol, here it is
"Dear Friend,

Thank you for contacting me regarding the importation of non-native snakes into the United States. I greatly appreciate hearing your thoughts on this important issue.

Non-native plant and animal species introduced to the United States often pose a significant threat to the local environment, public health, and the domestic economy. New species can damage sensitive ecosystems, carry disease, and compete with existing species for scarce resources. Unfortunately, once a non-native species is established, methods to remove the species can be costly, inhumane, or ineffective. For that reason, the federal government works to monitor the importation of potentially damaging species into the United States.

As you know, nearly 30,000 Burmese pythons are estimated to be living in Southern Florida, threatening multiple native species and a delicate natural ecosystem. This self-sustaining population is believed to have originated from pets that have escaped or were illegally released, and it has no natural predator in the Everglades. On February 3, 2009, a bill to include Pythons as an injurious species (S.373/H.R.2811) was introduced and referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. On December 10, 2009, the bill was amended and approved by the Committee, and it is now available for consideration by the full Senate. This legislation would prohibit Pythons and eight similar constrictor snakes from being shipped or imported into the United States.

I believe we need to ensure that newly imported species will not negatively affect North Carolina's economy or environment. Like you, I also believe it is important to balance the protection of our natural resources with the rights of pet owners. While S.373 has not yet been considered by the full Senate, please be assured that I will continue to keep your thoughts and opinions in mind.

Again, thank you for contacting my office. It is truly an honor to represent North Carolina in the United States Senate, and I hope you will not hesitate to contact me in the future should you have any further questions or concerns."


Do you guys and gals see any blatant misinformation I can debate her on?
Thanks!
I also sent the link to everyone I know to see if we can get more people in NC to speak out.
Brandon

[BAMReptiles]

done and done, shared this on my personal and business facebook accounts too, also saw lots of others passing it around

geckoguy: they have plenty of natural predators, all kinds of birds and gators and mammals eat them, especially as babies

[WingedWolfPsion]

I actually sent ANOTHER letter, in response to the reply I received from Senator Nelson (who knows if he'll actually read any of these, lol).


GeckoGuy--almost all of the information that senator has is false.

Inform them that this covers MORE than importation--it's about interstate transport as well, and the snakes already exist in every State.

There is no evidence that the Burmese are damaging the ecosystem, and many species eat them.

These animals cannot survive in North Carolina, and the USGS report has been condemned as bad science and is being challenged. Over 60% of the Burmese in the everglades were killed by cold last winter, and virtually all of the large adults died.

This bill does not prohibit owning, breeding, or selling the snakes--only transporting them across State lines, which makes releases more likely, since current owners cannot take the animals with them if they move to another State (and these animals live for 30 years).

Boa Constrictors are big business, and this bill will bankrupt families.

This bill CANNOT accomplish what it claims to want to accomplish, and instead can only make the issue worse while damaging the reptile industry and economy.

[DemmBalls]

Done. I also added to the letter.

Ditto

[fndjason4]

i sent my letters this morning. i hope we can finally put an end to this nonsense, but i have a sneaky feeling there will always be something threatening our hobby. a great big thanks to usark and all those who are working so hard to protect this wonderful hobby.

[g00dluckchuck]

i sent the letter, and i forwarded the issue to several friends and family.

fyi: bill nelson (perhaps the biggest anti-snake politician in the senate) is one of our senators here in fla.