Important USARK message.........

[skips]

I said that you claimed it because I had no grounds to validate whether you were currently keeping it or if you had it at the time of writing your profile but have since gotten rid of it. I'm not trying to get personal here. Checking your profile and referring you to Opencongress.org was research in of itself. Do I have to link you to a bunch of crap to prove myself?
I am not going into HR669 with you or What again. It doesn't work.
TBH

my apologies then. I thought that you were saying that I was lying to you for some reason. I wasnt being sarcastic. You have obviously done your research.

Unfortunately though, you do have to provide sources. this is like any good paper. I can doubt you all I want, but if you want to change my mind you have to show me other, very intelligent and accredited people who believe the things you do. In this case you just have to show me what i'm voting on.

You've never had someone walk up to you and ask you to sign a petition to create jobs? You ask what exactly is the vote. They say "to put in a casino." well that's not exactly what you said in the first place. In a perfect world I could believe anything you tell me. In this world you need sources.

 

[skips]

1. Yes, I look up every bill and impacting story [I.E. Child killed by Burm in Penascola.] about the topic. Rallying doesn't mean that every one must know the text to have an opinion. They just need to know how it impacts them. I like to be an informed citizen from unbiased information. But it isn't a lobbyist's job to be unbiased, so I seek multiple sources. I agree with USARK about this issue.

2. Sometimes a lobbyist is just a lobbyist. Their emails are of an average lobbyist's fashion. Get supporters, funds, and make a difference in the most impactful way. That's it.

TBH

well, i'm at work and have been jumping in and out. I think we can agree to disagree on some things. I'm glad you took the time to hear me out at least. thanks. I've got to get back.

 

[ThomasH]

my apologies then. I thought that you were saying that I was lying to you for some reason. I wasnt being sarcastic. You have obviously done your research.

Upon rereading that post, I found that I should have phrased it better. It was my mistake.
TBH

 

[AudreyElizabeth]

http://www.rallycongress.com/2/1734/stop-h-r-669s-373/

Here is a link to an online petition. I don't know how helpful it would be, but it only takes a second.

 

[pitbulllady]

I just received an email update from USARK(am sure they will be filling in more details here later)in which they stated that the committee had agreed to remove the reference to "ALL species in the Python genera..." and replace it with only restictions of the IMPORT of Burmese Pythons and African Rock Pythons! They also agreed to meet with reps from USARK during the August recess to discuss this bill. The HSUS was there, still adamantly pushing for a full ban on ALL pythons, and got all upset when the ammended bill did not include Retics, claiming that these, too, were an invasive species, even worse than Burms, but when challenged by the USARK rep could not produce any scientific evidence to back up those claims.

Now, I know a lot of people, on here and other forums, will say, "See? This is what happened last time-the USARK folks came on and pitched a fit of gloom and doom, and nothing happened?" Folks, it's BECAUSE the USARK people pitched a fit of gloom and doom that nothing happened-because they got people up off their butts and got them to contact the legislators! It shows that we DO have a voice, IF we bother to speak up and use it! We can't get complacent about these things; that's what the HSUS is counting on. When we sit by and think it will all just come out in the wash, they're busy filling the Congress and Senate with their own horror stories. If there's no voice of reason to counter that, who will the lawmakers ultimately listen to? There is always going to be a legal issue regarding animals that will ultimately affect us, and someone has to get that "fire in the belly" to counter the well-funded groups that want to destroy our hobbies and for some, our livelihoods. They have religious fervor about what they are doing, and it takes a lot to defeat that.

pitbulllady

 

[ThomasH]

http://www.rallycongress.com/2/1734/stop-h-r-669s-373/

Here is a link to an online petition. I don't know how helpful it would be, but it only takes a second.

NEVER EVER do online petitions. 100% worthless.
TBH

 

[ThomasH]

I just received an email update from USARK(am sure they will be filling in more details here later)in which they stated that the committee had agreed to remove the reference to "ALL species in the Python genera..." and replace it with only restictions of the IMPORT of Burmese Pythons and African Rock Pythons! They also agreed to meet with reps from USARK during the August recess to discuss this bill. The HSUS was there, still adamantly pushing for a full ban on ALL pythons, and got all upset when the ammended bill did not include Retics, claiming that these, too, were an invasive species, even worse than Burms, but when challenged by the USARK rep could not produce any scientific evidence to back up those claims.

Now, I know a lot of people, on here and other forums, will say, "See? This is what happened last time-the USARK folks came on and pitched a fit of gloom and doom, and nothing happened?" Folks, it's BECAUSE the USARK people pitched a fit of gloom and doom that nothing happened-because they got people up off their butts and got them to contact the legislators! It shows that we DO have a voice, IF we bother to speak up and use it! We can't get complacent about these things; that's what the HSUS is counting on. When we sit by and think it will all just come out in the wash, they're busy filling the Congress and Senate with their own horror stories. If there's no voice of reason to counter that, who will the lawmakers ultimately listen to? There is always going to be a legal issue regarding animals that will ultimately affect us, and someone has to get that "fire in the belly" to counter the well-funded groups that want to destroy our hobbies and for some, our livelihoods. They have religious fervor about what they are doing, and it takes a lot to defeat that.

pitbulllady

Good post! Why Afrock import too? They originally only wanted burm import. Does this mean that they can't be imported from state to state or from foreign countries into the U.S.?
TBH

 

[pitbulllady]

Good post! Why Afrock import too? They originally only wanted burm import. Does this mean that they can't be imported from state to state or from foreign countries into the U.S.?
TBH

No, it means that they can no longer be imported from other countries. Both species can still be sold and transported across state lines within the United States. There are already very healthy captive populations of both species in this country, comprising many varied genetic bloodlines, so there is no threat from lack of genetic diversity due to no more imports, not with Burms and Afrocks.

pitbulllady

 

[ThomasH]

No, it means that they can no longer be imported from other countries. Both species can still be sold and transported across state lines within the United States. There are already very healthy captive populations of both species in this country, comprising many varied genetic bloodlines, so there is no threat from lack of genetic diversity due to no more imports, not with Burms and Afrocks.

pitbulllady

Cool, I wasn't sure. The only problem that we could possibly run into with this bill, as potentially written, is if Germany or some other foreign country gets a cool morph [Or subspecies of molurus that we don't have.] of Afrocks or Burms.
TBH

 

[ThomasH]

Just got this one in........

"UPDATE: HR2811 Amendment
House Judiciary Committee Staff and bill Sponsors agrees with USARK position to limit the scope of HR2811 with a proposal for an amendment. All but two pythons will be completely exempted from the bill. The exception will be the IMPORT of the Burmese Python and the African Rock Python. Further, Committee staff has committed to work with USARK over the August legislative break to craft language to allow the commercial trade in captive bred Burmese Pythons and African Rock Pythons to continue. This is a huge victory for USARK and the Reptile Nation!
For the last two days, while the Reptile nation was making their calls, USARK was involved in intense discussions with the Sponsors of HR2811 and House Judiciary Committee Staff, not to destroy the Reptile Industry with their bill. Yesterday morning we suggested to Congressman Kendrick Meek and Congressman Tom Rooney that the bill be amended to address ONLY the IMPORT of the Burmese Python and exempt all the other pythons from this legislation. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) caught wind of what we were doing and began to apply pressure to leave the bill "as is", banning all pythons.
Today we coordinated a conference call to discuss the possibility of amending HR2811 instead of banning all pythons. Present were Rep Meek's staff, Rep Rooney's staff, both minority & majority Committee staff, bill proponent HSUS and USARK. HSUS made a very emotionally charged argument to ban all pythons. Their argument was strong on rhetoric and weak on facts and science. HSUS suggested that any bill going forward must include the Burmese Python, African Rock Python and Reticulated Python. They stated that the Reticulated Python was an Invasive Species that could surpass the Burmese Python. Andrew Wyatt of USARK challenged that statement indicating that HSUS could not produce credible scientific evidence to support their position, and that in more than 30 years of captivity in the US Reticulated Pythons have never been shown to be invasive; or even likely to be invasive. Wyatt also voiced concerns that this bill goes far beyond just stopping the import of these animals, but would also stop interstate transport. HSUS challenged that assertion, but Todd Willens of Vitello Consulting (USARK DC Consultant) confirmed Wyatt's concerns reading directly from the Lacy Act. Wyatt indicated that there was probably more than 100,000 Burmese Pythons already in captivity and HR2811 made no provision for what would happen to all these very valuable animals that would become worthless overnight. Frank Vitello of Vitello Consulting pointed out that there was already a science based process of evaluation to determine what animals should be placed on the Injurious Wildlife list of the Lacy Act. He pointed out that what HSUS was suggesting was to avoid a scientific evaluation in favor of legislating science.
Following the meeting USARK was contacted and told of an agreement by committee staff to create an amendment that would limit the bill to the IMPORT of the Burmese and African Rock Pythons. Committee staff committed to work through the August break to work on how to create an exemption for the captive trade in the Burmese and African Rock Pythons. During the July 29th markup of the Full Committee we are told that Congressman Rooney will introduce the following amendment to HR2811:
AMENDMENT TO H.R. 2811
OFFERED BY MR. ROONEY OF FLORIDA
Beginning in line 6, strike ‘‘; of the constrictor
snake of the species Python genera’’ and insert ‘‘; of the
Burmese Python of the species Python molurus
bivittatus; of the African Rock Python of the species
Python sebae’’.
If we are successful in saving the Python industry there will still be a few "armchair quarterbacks" that will criticize our efforts. There is no guarantee that the amendment will be passed, but USARK has done everything possible, and will continue to pursue every avenue to protect the Reptile Industry. This bill is politically driven and is going to move forward with or without amendment. We are encouraged that the amendment was crafted by both majority and minority staff, thus it should send a positive signal to both Democrat and Republican Committee Members. We are hopeful the amendment passes. In either case we will continue to work with the bill sponsors and committee staff to further amend the bill before it reaches the House floor for a vote. We are appreciative that Congressmen Meek and Rooney, and the majority and minority committee staff favored our recommended changes and have committed to continue working with USARK as the bill moves through the legislative process.
USARK is also pleased to report that it has secured a meeting with the office of Senator Bill Nelson during August recess to discuss modifications to the Senate counterpart to HR2811, S373."
TBH

 

[xBurntBytheSunx]

sounds like good news

 

[ZooRex]

Cool, I wasn't sure. The only problem that we could possibly run into with this bill, as potentially written, is if Germany or some other foreign country gets a cool morph [Or subspecies of molurus that we don't have.] of Afrocks or Burms.
TBH

^ I agree, but other wise I see it seems to be a good step in the direction of cooperation between the herp world and politions. The limitation of importing problematic snakes into the country was inevitable, yet I would like to see a ban of "mass importation" then just another blanket statement.

 

[ThomasH]

Another message.......

"HR2811 Passes Full Committee


This Just in from the House Judiciary Committee Regarding HR2811 Markup:

The full committee has just considered H.R. 2811.

Subcommittee Chairman Bobby Scott (D-VA) asked that his statement be placed into the record.

Full Committee Ranking Member Lamar Smith (R-TX) mentioned the recent python related death and stated the bill was needed to prevent any further accidents. He announced his support of the bill about to be amended.

Bill Co-Sponsor Rep. Tom Rooney (R-FL) offered his amendment to narrow the scope of the bill to 2 "real threats" to the restoration of the Everglades. He added the bill was needed because of the still pending petition to add pythons to the Lacey Act... 3 years after being submitted to USFWS by the South Florida Water Management District.

The Rooney Amendment to include only the Burmese and the African Rock Pythons was then passed by voice vote.

The amended bill HR2811 was then passed by voice vote.



As promised by Committee Staff, Rep. Rooney's Staff and Rep. Meek's Staff, HR2811 was amended to limit the scope of the bill to only two snakes. Staff renewed their commitment to work with USARK over the August recess to hammer out language for an amendment prior to a vote on the House Floor allowing the captive bred trade of the affected snakes to continue. USARK is dedicated to making sure all the Burm and Afrock breeders will be able to continue to operate their businesses. We will work hard to preserve your place as a legal business concern within the Reptile Nation Family.

HR2811 had bi-partisan support and flew through the Subcommittee and Full Committee even with hundreds of calls and faxes opposing it. Fortunately, USARK was able to convince Committee Staff and the Sponsors that this Bill would be incredibly damaging to an entire sector of the economy if not amended. To their credit they listened. They had not heard our side of this issue before. It seemed to them a very simple bill. We illustrated our concerns and they understood it was not necessary to destroy the Reptile Industry over this issue. They did not have to listen. The votes were overwhelmingly there to pass HR2811 intact.

USARK would like to thank Congressman Meek and his staff, majority and minority Judiciary Committee Staff, Congressman Rooney and his Staff, Congressman Gohmert and his Staff, and Congressman Scott and his staff for listening to the concerns of the Reptile Nation and for working with us in good faith. We look forward to continuing to work to fine tune this bill through the month of August.

This is a real Victory for the Reptile Nation! This whole situation could easily have led to the end of the Reptile Community. Thanks to the hard work of the Reptile Nation we have turned a bad situation good. Animal Rights organizations can no longer slander us at will. Washington now wants to know where we stand on these issues. We are working hard to make sure they understand the realities behind what we do, not the fairy tales being bandied about as if they are fact. We now have a voice... the voice of the Reptile Nation! You are now being heard loud and clear. Thank you for all the support!

WITHOUT YOU THIS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE!!!"

TBH