Edumacations, College Style

[Denial]

There are quite a few large constrictors they haven't thought of banning yet..

Which ones are you referring to? They were originally 9 and it got dropped to 4 but dont be fooled they are still working on adding the rest.

[Jazi]

Also don't forget the slippery slope concern... I'm not, nor will I ever be a large snake owner, but that doesn't mean I don't think responsible people shouldn't have them, and if I don't speak out in against Lacey, then they'll come for the snakes my husband wants to get... then they'll come for all reptiles. There is already a suburb in my state that bans "...all constricting snakes, and raccoons." I dunno about those dangerous corn snakes, but they mentioned raccoons too!

/not a big snake owner, but a greatly concerned herper

// also took too long to write this - good job on the lecture!

Yup, I added that too. My city has largely resisted breed bans, although Reading has banned pit bulls, and I discussed two recent incidents of child maulings by dogs (one a pit, the other a lab) and how people use outliers as fuel for fear and harsh legislation instead of focusing on the problem itself. For the in-class lecture I had everyone who owned a dog that weighs more than 50lbs raise their hands (pits, ACTUAL American Pit Bull Terriers, are not 80+lb dogs but more like 40-60). Then I asked them how they would feel if tomorrow the government announced that in 60 days they could no longer move with their pets if they went out of state.

Point really hit home as I'm in an art school and most of us are likely not going to remain in PA for jobs but become freelancers or move to better-known artistic areas. To quote a classmate, "I guess senators like angry letters in their mailboxes"

[sleepygeckos]

Point really hit home as I'm in an art school and most of us are likely not going to remain in PA for jobs but become freelancers or move to better-known artistic areas. To quote a classmate, "I guess senators like angry letters in their mailboxes"

Really good point there about moving with a beloved dog... too bad the senators don't even read the angry letters anymore. LOL

[olstyn]

Which ones are you referring to? They were originally 9 and it got dropped to 4 but dont be fooled they are still working on adding the rest.

What's the standard for being considered "large?" Scrub and olive pythons can exceed 13 feet...

[geeko]

Just wondering, what school exactly do you go to in Lancaster? I am from the area and thinking about some schools there.

I'm glad to hear that you made a good impression with your presentation. Always good to introduce more people to snakes and show them how "nice" they actually are.

[Jazi]

PCA&D, it's expensive but I love it. Transferred there this year and enjoyed every second, planning on finishing up my education there. Don't give up sunny Florida for boring Amishville though I don't understand why anyone would want to come back here.

Yup, I was debating a lot of topics for my presentation/essay, but one of the requirements was that I also had to do a devil's advocate presentation/essay which meant I had to argue in favor of the ban and I wasn't allowed to set up a strawman argument and had to use facts and research. Since a lot of what I set myself 100% behind has a lot of psuedoscience and religion fueling the opposing side (gay marriage and breed bans being examples), I had to pick the one with the least amount of media sensation fueling the opposing side. It's a lot of "what ifs", but they are valid concerns to an extent. "Improper handling CAN lead to death, ban them all!" can be turned into "improper handling CAN lead to death, so do xyz and don't be an idiot", etc.

[geeko]

Ok, very nice.
Those Devil's Advocate essays can be fun, and are always informative.

Personally I dislike Florida, but most people love it here.

[Denial]

What's the standard for being considered "large?" Scrub and olive pythons can exceed 13 feet...

In alot of states, towns, and counties there are laws governing snakes that get over 6 feet so that can include alot