Archive for Political News
The Python Ban is Moving Forward
Posted by: | CommentsA new announcement from USARK about the current legislation HR511 that will ban the import and interstate transportation of 9 species of large pythons on boas can be found on the Political News Page.
New Python Ban – H.R. 511
Posted by: | CommentsA new bill almost identical to the python ban bills (S373 and HR2811) that were introduced last year. You can read more about this new bill on the Political News Page.
Political Page Cleaned Up
Posted by: | CommentsI just cleared all the old news off of the Political News page. All of the information and news that was posted there is no longer relevant for 2011. Currently there is no real news to post but I did share a little bit about what we accomplished last year and what we can expect in the future politically speaking. There are also links to stay connected with and support USARK.
Help USARK Defeat S373 Python Ban Today!
Posted by: | CommentsIt 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-reptile-keepers.rallycongress.com/2705/tell-us-senate-to-stop-python-ban/
USARK Hires GES for Economic Survey
Posted by: | CommentsGeorgetown Economic Services (GES) has been hired by the Unites States Association of Reptile Keepers (USARK) to do the first comprehensive economic assessment ever done on the Herp Industry. This is very important because to date the economic data that has been portrayed by US Fish & Wildlife Service and Animal Rights advocates have been fundamentally flawed and a gross underestimate. This is a chance to “Set The Record Straight”. It will continue to be a vital tool in establishing the Herp Industry as a real and independent industry with real power as an economic engine. The trade in high quality reptiles must be demonstrated to be the valuable piece of the American economy that it is.
To view the entire press release from USARK or to take a quick survey to help in the study visit the Political News Page.
Super Snake?
Posted by: | CommentsIt seems new hybrid snakes are being produced all the time these days. I find some of these crossings rather interesting. So today I decided to do some research on the subject of hybrid snakes. As I searched one of the first pages that came up was titled “New ‘Super Snake’ Python Hybrid May be on the Rise in Florida” the article sparked a little interest in me and when I looked at the web address below it really sparked my interest. The address pointed to a site titled TreeHugger.com. I thought to myself “great! here we go again.”
When I opened the article it was just as I had feared. At the top of the article was an image of a large African Rock Python with its mouth gaped wide open displaying a mouth full of nasty looking teeth. The image no doubt was intended to strike fear and panic in the public and gain support for anti-reptile and anti-python political agendas. The article went on to talk about the problem with Burmese pythons in the everglades and states that some now fear that African rock pythons are becoming established. The article also states that people worry that the two species may form a hybrid “Super Snake.” The very idea of a “Super Snake” is quite ridiculous. While it is possible for the two species to interbreed it is often difficult to get two different species to hybridize in captivity and even more rare in the wild. Also the hybrid a Burmese and an African rock has been produced in captivity and it did not form any sort of “Super Snake.” In fact the hybrid has been shown to be much smaller than either of it’s parents. Since the hybrid is much smaller and less of a threat maybe we should hope that the two species do hybridize in Florida.
Very possibly the most ridiculous and quite frankly humorous parts of the article is the equation they showed to demonstrate the hybrid snake. The author showed an image of a Burmese and a African Rock being added together and the resulting image showed a rather small African Rock Python eating a Dik Dik. A Dik Dik is a small African antelope that rarely weighs more that 15 pounds . . . not exactly a “Super Snake.”
I was very pleased to look in the comments and find many people attacking the article and it’s ridiculousness and sharing some of the same insights and opinions shared here.
If you want to read the article you can do so here.
I Keep Snakes And I Vote T-Shirt!!!
Posted by: | Comments
With all of the laws around the country that will have a negative impact on responsible reptile owners, there is no bigger target than snake owners. If you own snakes and you’re tired of law after law threatening your future here’s your chance to send a message. Your vote has the power to secure your future!
Shirts are free with your generous $20 donation to The National Pet Association. There is no charge for shipping and all proceeds go directly to support The National Pet Associations mission of protecting pets and helping pet owners.
Thank you for supporting The National Pet Association and we look forward to seeing you wearing one of these shirts with pride in the future!
Buy Your Shirt Here!!
USARK Kill S.373 Letter Writing Campaign
Posted by: | CommentsUSARK is launching a massive letter writing campaign. This campaign is aimed at senate bill S.373 (if you don’t know about this bill it is explained in detail on the Political News Page). USARK is calling everyone to write letters to their senators telling them to oppose this bill. USARK has set up the site Kill-S373.com. On this site the have sample letters, an instructional video, and information on what you can do to help.
The reptile industry needs your help this is a very serious threat to the industry and needs to be killed.
More complete information will be posted on the Political News Page which is now up and running.
R-Zilla Shed Ease