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?