Why I hate the press.

[SCReptiles]

Amy Pollick from THE DECATUR DAILY called me on Monday. I was very busy cleaning my snake cages, but I took about 15 to 20 minutes to talk to her. Some stupid redneck in that area had killed a “velvet rattlesnake” near his house and he wanted an article in the paper about it. I tried to discourage her from doing it, but when I seen she was determined to do it, I gave several usable quotes to discourage people from killing indigenous snakes. So as to make sure there was no misunderstandings, I told her that I wanted some quotes in the article describing the actual nature of the snake and not what these morons were spouting out. She ran the article with no true information about the animals and even quoted a fool who said these snakes will not wait, they come and attack you. I have included her email, if anyone else is as troubled by this as me by this, please drop a line and let her know.

http://secw.bravepages.com/Chuck/pics/decatur.JPG

This is the email I sent to Amy and the author.

TO: Amy.Pollick@decaturdaily.com rthomas@decaturdaily.com

Amy, I could not be more displeased with your article. Why did I take time out of my schedule to explain why snakes should not be killed, just to have you print an article praising the actions of the man killing a snake? The information was inaccurate. The snake was not coming for the girl and the comment by the neighbor was complete ignorance. The snake had ample opportunity to bite both children and instead left them in peace. You choose to print a quote from someone who has never studied snakes and omit all comments from me, even though I have 15 years experience with the animals. Articles like this are the reason we hate to work with the press. I wish you had not sent me this, I would have been much happier never knowing what was written. ----Chuck

[SCReptiles]

Ok, I think we should call the dogs off Amy, but don’t let up on Ronnie. In fact, I will try to get his home number so we can call him…..very late at night.

http://secw.bravepages.com/Chuck/pics/decatur_1.JPG

[lws]

I'd pay money to see those ignorant pricks lined up and shot. Not joking.

[Ixidor]

That's going a little far ^, but I agree, that ronnie guy is a real***.

[havenbounce]

The writter was a jerk for not writting more info about the breed of snake but he can't be blamed for writting about what did happen. There was a snake, there were kids playing outside and the snake was shot by an older brother. The author wrote a comment from a neighbour because that is what the neighbour said. The older brother cannot be blammed because he did what he did. He was running on fear of what could have happened if the girl did not see the snake. We cannot say if the snake could or could not have bitten the child because we were not there to see the body language of the snake. The author did try and make it look like the snakes intention was going for a drink and not just going after the girl.
what a responsible newspaper would have done was follow through and write another story about that type of snake right under or beside the first article. In this story that's where they could have made comments on what to do and not do when you come too close to a rattler.
Would we have felt any different if this snake did bite the little girl?
So Chuck what are you going to do to? I advice that you follow though with Amy's advice and write a good story stating the facts (don't sound preachy or they wouldn't publish it) and give some sound advice so people will know what to do if it happens to them. Maybe talk to Amy and see if she'll do a small series of stories on snakes and why people should not "fear" them.
Good luck
Ginnette

[SCReptiles]

but he can't be blamed for writting about what did happen.

Yes, there is blame to the writer. He was provided information by, Amy, his researcher that was gathered from a snake expert. As opposed to quoting the expert on the true nature of the beast, he chose to quote a fool who knew absolutely nothing about rattlesnake. Because the fool’s quote was more sensational and will scare more readers.

Yes brother, there is blame squarely on the shoulders of this writer and what he did will lead to the killing of several snakes in that area.

[geckomom]

Yes, there is blame to the writer. He was provided information by, Amy, his researcher that was gathered from a snake expert. As opposed to quoting the expert on the true nature of the beast, he chose to quote a fool who knew absolutely nothing about rattlesnake. Because the fool’s quote was more sensational and will scare more readers.

Yes brother, there is blame squarely on the shoulders of this writer and what he did will lead to the killing of several snakes in that area.

I know nothing about rattlesnakes, either, tho I'd trust your information any day, rather than what the ignorant writer said, or chose not to say. Just my opinion, but I'd be more concerned about adults who leave 4 and 5 year old children playing alone in an area where ANY dangerous animals may be found (my kids never played in our front yard because of a few aggressive dogs who used to roam the neighborhood), under the supervision of a teenaged brother who apparently didn't hear the girl "screaming" to her young brother when the house door was open (apparently to facilitate anyone in the house being able to "hear" if anything was going wrong).

Isn't a shotgun a bit of overkill? I admit, I'd probably wet my pants if I saw a rattlesnake in the wild, since I'm ignorant of their habits and behavior, but my first thought wouldn't be to KILL it! The snake is the creature that belongs there, the humans are encroaching on the snake's environment. Couldn't the big brother just bring the younger siblings into the house?

I'm with you on not trusting the press, seems a lot of them thrive only on sensationalism, not facts. I'm so sorry to hear that more snakes have been killed due to this artcle, but not surprised, given the way it was written. The whole tone of the article cries "witch hunt"......

bobbie

[havenbounce]

Yes brother, there is blame squarely on the shoulders of this writer and what he did will lead to the killing of several snakes in that area.
Again Chuck I ask you...what are you going to do to correct the info given in this story? I understand how you might feel about wasting your time talking to this women and than not having your info used. I work with a dog rescue and I can spend hours talking to someone about the benefits of adopting from a rescue and how buying from a pet store promotes to the torture to thousands of dogs used as breeder dogs in puppy mills. I than see these same people turn around and buy a puppy in a pet store because they felt sorry for it. I may complain about what a waste of time it was but that doesn't mean I'm going to stop trying to set people straight and educate them on why puppy mills are bad. So please Chuck I urge you to do something about it and write a great article and demand that this paper publish it. At least you could say you did something to try and prevent the killings of more snakes!
Oh by the way I'm a sister not a brother. :mednormal
Please post your article when you write it.
Thanks
Ginnette

[Serpens]

I think we can blame the writer for the story. The unfortunate thing about the press, imo, is that they will always go for what is sensational rather than what is correct. I don't know anything about rattlesnakes myself, but I do know that I'd take the advice of a 15 year snake expert over someone who probably is basing his info off the tv shows and movies.

Serpens

[SCReptiles]

Again Chuck I ask you...what are you going to do to correct the info given in this story?

I have told her that I will have a 300 word article on her desk by 7/5. She has agreed to run it, but the damage is already done.

[havenbounce]

Now that's what I want to hear. Good for you!! Damage was done along time ago though. People have had misconceptions for along time because of bad press.
Ginnette

[SCReptiles]

I have taken the liberty of contacting the Alabama Child Welfare office and asked them to investigate why adolescent children were left completely unattended in a home where other minor children have access to firearms.

The father contacted the news paper and had them do this foolish story. I am hoping from this, he will regret that decision.

[geckomom]

I have taken the liberty of contacting the Alabama Child Welfare office and asked them to investigate why adolescent children were left completely unattended in a home where other minor children have access to firearms.

The father contacted the news paper and had them do this foolish story. I am hoping from this, he will regret that decision.

Thank you so much. These kids have been on my mind since I read your post, and I applaud you for being so responsible. You're going to do damage control on the mis-handled snake incident, and you also have the children's welfare on your mind.

Well done!

bobbie

[Serpens]

Good call. IMO, firearms don't even belong in the home, but that's another issue altogether. Also good to hear about the RESPONSIBLE story that's going to be printed next month. Glad to know that the average person may still learn something useful about snakes.

Serpens

[SCReptiles]

I am defiantly pro gun. I have a gun collection as big as my snake collection. People like this are the reason we are having to fight to keep the rights our forefathers died to grant us. First, it was stupid as hell to leave adolescents and minors alone in a home with access to guns. Second, after the fact, they bug a local newspaper to do a story where they brag about leaving their kids unattended and the sub-moron teenager having a loaded shotgun. These fools are endangering both my hobbies. I have a handgun carry permits and my H/K .45 stays with me at all times. All my other weapons are locked up in a safe. No one but me has access to my guns. If this idiot 16 year hold had fallen running out the door with that shot gun and blew his sisters head off, every Democrat in the state would be calling for gun control.

[BOAS_N_PYTHONS]

I have a handgun carry permits and my H/K .45 stays with me at all times.

Just a question no need to get all fired up :) , but do you use it for work like local authorities or other, or is Chattanooga, TN that dangerous to live in?

I understand you point from the last response and where this qoute comes from, so I am not starting a fight just wondering the need for a gun always with you.

:)

[SCReptiles]

I am in a position where I have to fire employees from time to time. My life is often threatened, and I take that seriously. When I lived in VA, I worked for a bondsmen. I brought in convicts who skipped bail, what they used to call a bounty hunter. I got in the habit of carrying and now I feel uncomfortable, or perhaps unprotected without it. Since I have been in Chattanooga, I have had to pull it 3 times. So, tree times since 1994. Not too bad, but either of those three could have lead to my death if I did not have it. Fortunately, I have not had to actually shoot anyone since I moved from VA.

[Wizwise2000]

I'm happy your making a difference with this Editor Chuck. The article will definitely make a difference to many readers. It's also nice to know you've turned this around on the parents and the idiot teenager. Very clever.

I'll be sending out an email to the Email to the editor when I'm finished writing this.
It makes me sick that the press can write articles that are so full of lies and get away with it.

Thank you for sharing,
Shane

[SCReptiles]

They told me to limit this to 300 words and this is 399. its still not everything i wanted to say, but we are so limited for space. i hope they will publish as it.....if not, i will try to shorten this a little more.

The truth about Timber Rattlesnakes.

In a recent article a layperson was quoted as saying (about Timber Rattlesnakes) “that particular species is aggressive and will not wait for you in the shade, but will come after you.”

This was a grossly inaccurate statement as to the nature of Crotalus Horridus, better known as the Timber Rattlesnake. Actually these snakes are shy, reclusive, and avoid human contact whenever possible.

These animals are equipped with potent venom, but seek to use this commodity only for capturing prey. Venom is used as defensive only as a last resort. The snake realizes that first, the venom does not act instantly and a potential adversary would have ample opportunity to inflict damage to it, even after a bite. Second, the snake knows if it expends venom for defense, it may miss an opportunity at a much needed meal.

During snake to human encounters, this species relies first on camouflage. If the snake thinks it has not been seen, it will lie perfectly still and hope the human passes it by. Once the animal realizes it has been seen, it will then rattle to alert humans it is present. From there it will look for the most prudent escape route, and take it.

Research was recently done by the Tri-State Herpetological Society. Replicas of human hands were made by filling latex gloves with gelatin. The make shift hand was then scented by rubbing it against human skin and then heated to 98 degrees. A test group of 10 Crotalus Horridus were tested. None of the snakes would bite the mock hand when it was placed in front of them. Zero out of 10 struck at the hand when it was used to gently touch them. Only 6 out of 10 struck at the hand when it was used to aggressively provoke the snake.

Most cases of human envenomations from Timber Rattlesnakes occur during attempts to capture or kill the snake. This fact along with the fact rattlesnakes provide a vital role in the environment by controlling rodents (who are responsible for more human deaths then all world wars combined) should compel humans to leave snake in peace when they are encountered. If one comes across a rattlesnake, simply do not disturb the animal. Leave it as you found it and it will go about its business. It means no harm to any human; it simply wishes to avoid human contact.

Professor Samuel C Hurd
www.TriStateHerp.com

[havenbounce]

Looks good.
It's always nice to see people who actually do something positive when they believe in something.
Thanks for taking the time

[geckomom]

I hope they print your article as is. It's informative and interesting. Just wanted to know that you've provided at least one uneducated person (me) with enough facts to whet my appetite.

Will you update when they publish?

Thanks again....

bobbie

[Wizwise2000]

I enjoyed reading that. It's too bad it's not longer. I hope they print it all.

Thanks for sharing,
Shane

[SCReptiles]

She revised it to get it to 300 words. Says it will run this Sunday. I will post a link when she sends it to me.