Is S373 part of your future?

[LarM]

From the Desk of The_Boaphile


The response and participation of the masses has been woefully short. So far the numbers are absolutely pathetic. Where are you? What have you personally done? Do you think YOU are not in very real danger? You are an endangered species. If you have done nothing, you are like a sheep going to slaughter and those who are wide awake and fighting, need your help. YOU need your help!

We managed to send a loud and clear message to the US House of Representatives last year to stop HR669. The senate has yet to hear from the masses who will be harmed by S373 if it passes, and we all need to make our voices heard. The battle is not even close to over. The Bill can be amended still in the Senate. Unfortunately many assumed that amendments only occur in at the committee level. That is untrue. The Senate Bill S373 has at least three more steps to go through before it can no longer be amended. In the Senate, at the House level, and in the conference committee, changes can be made to create a bill that they believe will pass. Nobody has dodged a bullet in this fight. Nobody! Everyone is still fully in the crosshairs of the HSUS. The HSUS is working overtime to get this done with as MANY species on the bill as possible. When the Senators who may have an opportunity to vote on this bill do so, will your Senator have heard from you loud and clear? Will your Senator fear voting to bankrupt you and your business? Did you do everything you could to stop this bill from passing in any form!?

For the HSUS, this is NOT about a list of 9 snakes. They are in this for the long haul. If they see that the reptile nation has fallen asleep and believes they can have someone offer an amendment that includes all Pythons, that is what they want, they will do it! They want all of us to go down. It will be a sweet victory for them if they do just that, because most of us were asleep thinking they were no longer shooting at us. If you are not in this fight with both feet, you are a deer in the headlights waiting for the animal rights wacko tractor trailer to take you out.

This is NOT over! You are NOT safe. Your letters do count and are needed RIGHT NOW!

Watch this video I did, rough though it is, to describe this is greater detail.

Computer savvy? Click the following link to help yourself:

Computer Savvy Click Here

For those of you who can’t type well and you don’t know how to use your computer very well, there is an option for you. Click the following link to see how you can send your letters, not emails which are not as effective, but letters right from your computer without going to the post office. Have a printer but don’t know how do copy the letter or write your own? There is no excuse. Click the link below for simple instructions how you can participate.

Click here for the easiest solution

YouTube - Stop-S373

[fire-eyes]

I'm so frustrated at the lack of big response that I feel quite sick. Regardless I'm doing what I can. I took the USARK versions and modified them a bit, to include a picture of one of my snakes and a quick paragraph which is more personal.

Feel free to modify these. .odt is for openoffice, .doc is for word.

Nevermind, it looks like I can't get attachments going today. Not sure what's going on, i've used them before. Here's the text, obviously the picture won't be inline:


Senator Whoever
ADDRESS LINE 1
ADDRESS LINE 2

Please oppose S373 aka 'The Python Ban'. Although I share concern for the environment of the Everglades this bill is over reaching and will have far more effect on the trade in high quality captive bred reptiles than addressing the issues in south Florida. It will hurt myself and breeders. With no credible evidence to support such draconian measures it will destroy jobs in Nevada.

The USGS report being used as justification for listing 9 snakes on the Injurious Wildlife list of the Lacey Act has been discredited by a panel of 11 independent scientists. In a letter to the Senate EPW Committee this report has been characterized as "unscientific". Further the scientists state "this document is not suitable as the basis for legislative or regulatory policies".

The trade of reptiles in the United States represents approximately 3 billion dollars annually and exports of high quality captive bred reptiles account for 82% of the trade worldwide. Thousands are employed directly or indirectly by the reptile industry. The trade in the 9 snakes addressed in S373 is approximately 1/3 of the total annual trade. In a recent letter to the Senate EPW Committee the US Chamber of Commerce states "if enacted in its current form, this legislation would adversely impact tens of thousands of businesses". Nevada alone stands to lose scores of jobs.

On a more personal note, I own three snakes. People are generally surprised to find out that as owners, we get just as attached to snakes as owners of cats or dogs. One of these snakes is a Boa Constrictor, which would be added to the Injurious Wildlife List. Despite the fact that I purchased this animal before consideration of action such as S373, it would mean that I could not transport this animal which I love across state lines. Can you imagine the outcry if dog or cat owners had to suffer as such? I am very attached to my snakes, and I would not “get rid” of them for any reason.

(picture of a snake here?)

S373 if passed will circumvent the scientific process for the sake of political expediency. Thousands of hardworking American families will be bankrupted. Jobs will be lost in Nevada, and reptile shops will be hurt. Please say NO on S373. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
[INK SIGNATURE HERE]
YOUR NAME
YOUR ADDRESS

Your Name <you@wherever>

[telefrag]

Im sure form letters get filed in the "trash bin" guys, write something that is heartfelt and your own.

[LarM]

This may irritate Mods & regulars but I see part of the problem around here is this

A special Forum category for Reptile Related Legislation that nobody visits !?!?!?


For this legislation S 373 and companion house bill H.R.2811

An exception should be made allowing these threads to be posted in the
main Boas Forums as well as Just Talk Forums also the
Misc Pythons and Giant Pythons (Burms, and Rocks and retics..OH my)
at the very least

This is very serious stuff and from the lack of visits and Post in this category Reptile Related Legislation

I see the word is not getting out around here

[LarM]

Originally Posted by telefrag

Im sure form letters get filed in the "trash bin" guys, write something that is heartfelt and your own.

Actually all the letters get counted
in big letter campaign like this one a grand tally is taken
Any effort any letter sent is helpful !!

[morti]

The other part of the problem is that we had hundreds of threads all over the website that all said the same thing.

What you may not know due to being a very occasional poster around here, is that I spent 3 separate days bumping every post with the major action items that came up. I replied to EVERY thread that got even a single post with a link to instructions for that action item.

I am sorry if you feel that we aren't doing enough "Around Here." I'm personally doing everything I can.

So how did your visit with the staff of your Senator go?

[LarM]

Originally Posted by morti

The other part of the problem is that we had hundreds of threads all over the website that all said the same thing.

What you may not know due to being a very occasional poster around here, is that I spent 3 separate days bumping every post with the major action items that came up. I replied to EVERY thread that got even a single post with a link to instructions for that action item.

I am sorry if you feel that we aren't doing enough "Around Here." I'm personally doing everything I can.

So how did your visit with the staff of your Senator go?

My meeting appeared to be very unproductive

Thankyou for that information ,I apologize for making it sound all encompassing!

I know many have done there part but sooo many more have not


You are right I haven't been here enough

I'm scared and extremely upset about the lack of participation on so many Forums

I'm looking through the anti S373 type threads on several Forums,

there appear to be very few reply -posts or views for that matter


Its tough to see what appears to be Apathy on the part of many

I was out of line I apologize , once trying to light the fire

Thankyou for your contributions

[LarM]

Plus I missed this thread entirely somehow


S. 373 Emergency Action Required!


Views
1,161


Replies

65

So I was definitely out of line but none the less

trying to elicit a response

trying to light a Fire

[Icicle]

Going to be bumping thread myself until I go to bed.

Also sending in more letters.

[boa and balls]

Originally Posted by Icicle

Going to be bumping thread myself until I go to bed.

Also sending in more letters.

good for you Ice

Print lots of letters and take them to reptile shows. Get everyone to add their name and address to the bottom and send them in. Come on people we can do this.

[morti]

Speaking of letters and taking them places, I printed 50 copies of the sample letter and I will be taking it to the KY Herp Society meeting on Sunday... then I will Next Day them off on Monday.

Fun Times.

[Icicle]

Originally Posted by morti

Speaking of letters and taking them places, I printed 50 copies of the sample letter and I will be taking it to the KY Herp Society meeting on Sunday... then I will Next Day them off on Monday.

Fun Times.

I would also print this out 50 times and take to the next show down in Oregon, but that would be way past the deadline for the letters.


Also a Shameful bump

[morti]

Originally Posted by Icicle

I would also print this out 50 times and take to the next show down in Oregon, but that would be way past the deadline for the letters.


Also a Shameful bump

It may be past the deadline for this USARK campaign, but It may not be past the Real deadline.

If the show happens before the vote, do it and mail the letters to the senators and not to the USARK representative.

[jbd123]

So Morti, do you have any idea when the timeline *could* be for the actual vote?

I am vending at a reptile show at the end of the month, and I would be more than happy to bring copies of the letter for people to sign if it's not too late.

[LarM]

Originally Posted by Icicle

I would also print this out 50 times and take to the next show down in Oregon, but that would be way past the deadline for the letters.


Also a Shameful bump

I agree I doubt the actual vote will occur on the dealine or very close to it even.

I'm hoping to do the same at a local IL. Reptile show

I was frustrated because they (USark) announced on a Wed I believe then Thurs New Years Eve , Fri New Years,

Couldn't get the mass quantities of letters printed up ,
FedEx Kinko's closed Friday

Plus I wanted to get cooperation from the shows coordinator / Owner
for a Booth

The Local show was on the immediate Sat, Jan 2, I wasn't able to
contact the show people until late friday

So I'm hoping to be organized and hit the coming Sunday 17th scheduled show

I believe all the letters we can all get in until the vote are going help !

[morti]

Originally Posted by jbd123

So Morti, do you have any idea when the timeline *could* be for the actual vote?
I am vending at a reptile show at the end of the month, and I would be more than happy to bring copies of the letter for people to sign if it's not too late.

At this time, it hasn't been scheduled. They won't touch any legislation like this until after Healthcare is settled, decided, and put to bed. After Healthcare, they are most likely going to want to tackle Cap and Trade.

The Majority party leadership determines what bills get heard, and the democrats are really working on Obama's major campaign initiatives right now. This bill, while highly important to us, is simply not that important to the majority of the nation.

[Snakemaster]

Couldn't hurt to get as many letters signed as humanly possible. And get letters ready for the next species they decide to go after bill ______ get the next batch of letters ready for the next few bills that will no doubt be in the works. Just leave the bill number blank then you are set with a letter that just has to have the bill number and species put in and bang ready to go.

[boa and balls]

Well, our show is January 23 and I am going to print 1000 for each senator and have everyone sign them and put their name and address on the bottom. It couldn't hurt and the cost is small to me.

[LarM]

DEADLINE Extended Tues 19th for Kill-S373