View Full Version : Warning: HR511 Back From The Dead
Snakesitter
02-27-12, 03:06 PM
For those who did not see the US ARK news release this morning, Congressman Rooney of Florida has revived this horrid bill, which will add nine species of snake to the Lacey Act. The bill will be heard before the House Judiciary Committee tomorrow.
From the US ARK e-mail:
Talking Points:
Will destroy thousands of jobs and small family businesses; $104 million annual economic impact.
Criminalize the actions of over 1 million American Citizens; Lacey Act felons.
Federal action to address a localized problem in South Florida is unnecessary; the State of Florida and US Fish & Wildlife have already taken draconian measures.
Underlying science has been criticized by scientists from around the world.
Creates a massive animal welfare problem, potentially displacing millions of animals.
Key Members of House Judiciary Committee:
Lamar Smith (R-TX)- 202-225-4236
Sensenbrenner (R-WI)- 202-225-5101
Coble (R-NC)- 202-225-3065
Issa (R-CA)- 202-225-3906
Gohmert (R-TX)- 202-225-3035
Chaffetz (R-UT)- 202-225-7751
Gowdy (R-SC)- 202-225-6030
Poe (R-TX)- 202-225-6565
Goodlatte (R-VA)- 202-225-5431
Please, even if you do not own one of the effected snakes, your reptile could be next -- so call!
millertime89
02-27-12, 05:18 PM
There's another thread on this forum about this. Chaffetz is against it already and the rest have been fielding calls about it all day.
I called and the person seemed to agree with me (i called a few) every time i called them and explained my points, lol! Hope some of it got through!
millertime89
02-27-12, 05:50 PM
I called and the person seemed to agree with me (i called a few) every time i called them and explained my points, lol! Hope some of it got through!
That's what I did and I think the people on the other end of the line have been looking into it a bit as well.
millertime89
02-27-12, 06:01 PM
Floridians! Vote out Nelson and Rooney this year!
Bill Nelson (who pushed for the USGS/USFWS route) and Tom Rooney (reactivated HR511) are BOTH up for reelection this year. No wonder they're trying to make this a bigger issue than it needs to be.
Floridians! Vote out Nelson and Rooney this year!
Bill Nelson (who pushed for the USGS/USFWS route) and Tom Rooney (reactivated HR511) are BOTH up for reelection this year. No wonder they're trying to make this a bigger issue than it needs to be.
its all about the reelections :suspicious:
Rogue628
02-27-12, 07:24 PM
its all about the reelections :suspicious:
That's what this whole thing is about:pissedoff:
That's what this whole thing is about:pissedoff:
I want to move to florida so I can vote against him xD
Rogue628
02-27-12, 10:46 PM
I want to move to florida so I can vote against him xD
I'm just glad I'm moving to Oklahoma so I can get my retic even if it gets banned. The ban still puts pressure on me to get everything together and get moved before the ban takes effect. Otherwise I'm going to be forced to ship some of my animals to my boyfriend's parents ahead of me.
The ban is stupid and outrageous! It does absolutely nothing to help what's happening in Florida and heavily restricts responsible owners while doing nothing to the irresponsible ones. Not to mention how it's going to effect the reptile trade.
On a side note of similarity: I've heard that banning of APB's is up again. Another completely stupid and useless ban. Not sure which states are involved. I think Florida is as I keep seeing little breed ban posts from people I know how have these as pets in Florida are putting them up again every once in a while.
Rogue628
02-28-12, 12:31 AM
American Pit Bull
Is there anyway Canadians can help? Email or petition or something?
American Pit Bull
oh haha i was trying to think of what kind of snake it ciuld be >_< thats messed up, i hate how people think all pits are bad, ive grown up with them and they're amazing dogs
millertime89
02-28-12, 02:04 PM
Is there anyway Canadians can help? Email or petition or something?
email or call the legislators listed above. Explain that the camaraderie in the US is mirrored over the border and that you guys are standing beside us against this draconian law.
lady_bug87
02-28-12, 02:08 PM
I feel for the trouble you guys are having down there but I think draconian may be a little harsh of an adjective. Unfair maybe....
millertime89
02-28-12, 02:25 PM
Well the bill is going to the house floor. We're F**Ked, There are too many uneducated people in the government that just know what's going on in Florida and don't know the science behind this. Guess what? All 9 are on this bill. Thanks lazy people. Say good bye to this hobby, its all downhill from here.
Snakesitter
02-28-12, 03:12 PM
Floridians! Vote out Nelson and Rooney this year!
Bill Nelson (who pushed for the USGS/USFWS route) and Tom Rooney (reactivated HR511) are BOTH up for reelection this year. No wonder they're trying to make this a bigger issue than it needs to be.
Now that could be a great lesson. I motion that once their opponent is determined, we all contribute cash to their campaign, and clearly state the contribution was due to this very issue. Politicians will only learn when they lose office due to money stemming from a cause.
Snakesitter
02-28-12, 03:15 PM
The ban is stupid and outrageous! It does absolutely nothing to help what's happening in Florida and heavily restricts responsible owners while doing nothing to the irresponsible ones. Not to mention how it's going to effect the reptile trade.
I could not agree more.
On a side note of similarity: I've heard that banning of APB's is up again. Another completely stupid and useless ban. Not sure which states are involved. I think Florida is as I keep seeing little breed ban posts from people I know how have these as pets in Florida are putting them up again every once in a while.
We need to start combining all our little factions: they support us, we support them. Get enough small slices and you suddenly control a majority of the pie.
Snakesitter
02-28-12, 03:17 PM
There's another thread on this forum about this. Chaffetz is against it already and the rest have been fielding calls about it all day.
That was my experience too, but we need to keep the pressure coming!
I called and the person seemed to agree with me (i called a few) every time i called them and explained my points, lol! Hope some of it got through!
I thibnk they are trained to be "agreeable," no matter how much they dislike the caller's points. I know at least two phone reps warned me their rep was a sponsor or supporter. :-(
Is there anyway Canadians can help? Email or petition or something?
Yes, every voice helps. It adds weight to be able to say that even "international pressure" ;-) was against this idea!
On that note, make sure to contact Chaffetz (the rep who was already against). He might be able to use that line.
I feel for the trouble you guys are having down there but I think draconian may be a little harsh of an adjective. Unfair maybe....
Respectfully, I would say that any time a personal property right is stripped away based on bad science and lies, it crosses a line far worse than "unfair."
Snakesitter
02-28-12, 03:20 PM
Well the bill is going to the house floor. We're F**Ked, There are too many uneducated people in the government that just know what's going on in Florida and don't know the science behind this. Guess what? All 9 are on this bill. Thanks lazy people. Say good bye to this hobby, its all downhill from here.
Where did you see this, and who voted for/against?
Well the bill is going to the house floor. We're F**Ked, There are too many uneducated people in the government that just know what's going on in Florida and don't know the science behind this. Guess what? All 9 are on this bill. Thanks lazy people. Say good bye to this hobby, its all downhill from here.
No need to cause people in the thread lazy, I think we're the ones actually trying to help.
bad news...
U.S. House Judiciary Committee passes exotic snake bill | Florida Independent (http://floridaindependent.com/71251/u-s-house-judiciary-committee-passes-exotic-snake-bill)
H.R. 511, which is sponsored by Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Tequesta, would ban the import or interstate trade for use as pets of the Indian python (including Burmese python), reticulated python, Northern African python, Southern African python, boa constrictor, green anaconda, yellow anaconda, DeSchauensee’s anaconda and Beni anaconda. Those nine species have been identified by the U.S. Geological Survey as posing “high” or “medium” risk of becoming established in the wild as an invasive species.
"Boa constrictor" is frighteningly vague. This pisses me off to no end.
Shmoges
02-28-12, 06:06 PM
what is an apb?
All Points Bulletin I believe.
KORBIN5895
02-28-12, 06:19 PM
Wow. The revolution is calling fellow keepers lazy and equating the python bans to concentration camps........ No wonder we have made so much progress.
millertime89
02-28-12, 07:08 PM
Wow. The revolution is calling fellow keepers lazy and equating the python bans to concentration camps........ No wonder we have made so much progress.
Did you make the calls? Took me 15 minutes. How many people actually called? I wouldn't be surprised if its less than 10% of reptile keepers that knew about this made the effort.
Boa Constrictor IS frighteningly vague, it incorporates every species of boa, from the 9 foot BCCs to the the 4-5 foot dwarfs.
Did you make the calls? Took me 15 minutes. How many people actually called? I wouldn't be surprised if its less than 10% of reptile keepers that knew about this made the effort.
Boa Constrictor IS frighteningly vague, it incorporates every species of boa, from the 9 foot BCCs to the the 4-5 foot dwarfs.
I did call, now calm down. We're all on the same side here.
millertime89
02-28-12, 07:14 PM
Just trying to get people going and illustrate a point, thanks skumbo.
KORBIN5895
02-28-12, 07:23 PM
Did you make the calls? Took me 15 minutes. How many people actually called? I wouldn't be surprised if its less than 10% of reptile keepers that knew about this made the effort.
Boa Constrictor IS frighteningly vague, it incorporates every species of boa, from the 9 foot BCCs to the the 4-5 foot dwarfs.
Actually I just opened this thread for the first time when I posted. I also opened this same thread about boas for the first time when I posted. If you want to know why it's because I am tired of hearing people say "YOU" don't do enough. They tend to cast a wide net. I sent the emails and made the calls the first go around and still got to hear how we weren't doing enough. So I just did what I normally do when people post stuff that ticks me off or someone I don't care for posts: I ignore it because it is a waste of my time. I guess it still is.
millertime89
02-28-12, 07:31 PM
Weren't you the one planning on moving to New Mexico in a few months?
Just trying to get people going and illustrate a point, thanks skumbo.
preaching has only caused divides in people.
how about being a little more positive about it? You go in and say nobody is doing enough, then maybe someone will go "oh well calling wont help" and not call. it can go both ways.
Rogue628
02-29-12, 12:24 AM
So all that calling I did before work this morning was for nothing?!? :pissedoff:
That was my experience too, but we need to keep the pressure coming!
I thibnk they are trained to be "agreeable," no matter how much they dislike the caller's points. I know at least two phone reps warned me their rep was a sponsor or supporter. :-(
Yes, every voice helps. It adds weight to be able to say that even "international pressure" ;-) was against this idea!
On that note, make sure to contact Chaffetz (the rep who was already against). He might be able to use that line.
Respectfully, I would say that any time a personal property right is stripped away based on bad science and lies, it crosses a line far worse than "unfair."
Done and done, did I help any... doubt it... not enough people actually aware of this problem... We're too small a group right now to get anywhere, especially with our individual calls and emails...
millertime89
02-29-12, 12:53 AM
So all that calling I did before work this morning was for nothing?!? :pissedoff:
No, every little bit helped, but there wasn't enough yet. We just need to keep fighting.
millertime89
02-29-12, 01:12 AM
This bill is in direct violation of Executive Order 13563, Sec. 1 & 5 as well.
Speaking of bills... my shaw is gonna be through the roof with these long distance calls....
Hopefully it can all get sorted out, I really wish it would. But I unfortunately hold little faith...
Jenn_06
02-29-12, 06:15 AM
its not that the people that called or email did not do enough its that there is not enough people out there fighting for their pets, I know there are MANY people thinking we was in this same spot before and we bet it and feel a little safe.
And when we found out about the vote with HR511 we just had a day to let everyone know about it to call there was no time but thats what the gov is counting on. Im doing all i can, i already have one snake i cant move out of state with i dont need more them half my snakes in the same spot.
its not that the people that called or email did not do enough its that there is not enough people out there fighting for their pets, I know there are MANY people thinking we was in this same spot before and we bet it and feel a little safe.
And when we found out about the vote with HR511 we just had a day to let everyone know about it to call there was no time but thats what the gov is counting on. Im doing all i can, i already have one snake i cant move out of state with i dont need more them half my snakes in the same spot.
Will any boa count as a "boa constrictor"? Im getting a BRB and will be moving out of the state in ~6 months..
Jenn_06
02-29-12, 05:55 PM
think its boa constrictors, but if they get them on the list its going to be easy to get the other boas on it.
think its boa constrictors, but if they get them on the list its going to be easy to get the other boas on it.
Yeah.. Sigh, I know its a "when it rains it pours" type of dealio.
Rogue628
02-29-12, 11:12 PM
Will any boa count as a "boa constrictor"? Im getting a BRB and will be moving out of the state in ~6 months..
Not sure exactly. Someone with more knowledge of their scientific names (I'm horrible at that) could possibly provide a better answer. But I *think* it's BCI/BCC (red tails) that they're talking about. If it's ALL boas, that means over half my collection will be banned.
millertime89
02-29-12, 11:20 PM
No, a BRB is from the genus Epicrates of the species epicrates. Boas are family Boa and species constrictor, any subspecies such as constrictor, imperator, longicuada, etc. are effected, but not other boas who are members of the subfamily boinae
Not sure exactly. Someone with more knowledge of their scientific names (I'm horrible at that) could possibly provide a better answer. But I *think* it's BCI/BCC (red tails) that they're talking about. If it's ALL boas, that means over half my collection will be banned.
Boa is the genus, boa constrictor is the species, so now, boas arent on the banned list, just red tailed boas (aka boa constrictors) which is.. weird to say the least. then again, none of it does anyway.
in fact, rainbow boas arent actually in the genus boa, they share this:
Suborder: Serpentes (snakes, lol)
Family: Boidae
Subfamily: Boinae
techically they're "Epicrates"
yeah, we all know they're boas (family/subfamily) but the wording is for the SPECIES boa, and therefore only "red tailed boas" as we know them count in the "ban list"
I believe they based the selections on size, as (im looking at wikipedia here) "Boa constrictors have been reported to grow as large as 14 feet"
I guarentee you they saw that and said "TOO BIG! ITS THE SAME AS A HUGE PYTHON!"
millertime89
02-29-12, 11:35 PM
Boa is the genus, boa constrictor is the species, so now, boas arent on the banned list, just red tailed boas (aka boa constrictors) which is.. weird to say the least. then again, none of it does anyway.
in fact, rainbow boas arent actually in the genus boa, they share this:
Suborder: Serpentes (snakes, lol)
Family: Boidae
Subfamily: Boinae
techically they're "Epicrates"
yeah, we all know they're boas (family/subfamily) but the wording is for the SPECIES boa, and therefore only "red tailed boas" as we know them count in the "ban list"
I believe they based the selections on size, as (im looking at wikipedia here) "Boa constrictors have been reported to grow as large as 14 feet"
I guarentee you they saw that and said "TOO BIG! ITS THE SAME AS A HUGE PYTHON!"
Nea nea, I beat you!
Another thing that really pisses me off is that they don't differntiate between the giants and the dwarf subspecies which can be positively identified as different.
Rogue628
02-29-12, 11:43 PM
So my BCI will be on the ban list and not my rainbow (as pointed out) nor my dumerils? Sorry for such a show of ignorance, but I've never been good with scientific names for anything. I sucked at all sciences in school except for environmental science lol
millertime89
02-29-12, 11:48 PM
So my BCI will be on the ban list and not my rainbow (as pointed out) nor my dumerils? Sorry for such a show of ignorance, but I've never been good with scientific names for anything. I sucked at all sciences in school except for environmental science lol
No worries, you're exactly right.
Snakesitter
03-05-12, 05:08 PM
No, every little bit helped, but there wasn't enough yet. We just need to keep fighting.
I agree with Kyle 100%. Every herper needs to keep up the pressure.
Note this is a setback, but it was just one battle: the war is not yet decided.
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