Probably going to look like an idiot...but here goes..( long )

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Posted by Shalaney on September 10, 2001 at 00:59:39:

In Reply to: My thoughts, such as they are.... posted by Mr. D on September 09, 2001 at 23:59:33:

I was asking myself some of the same questions...from what I gathered they rely on donations and selling T-shirts and things to aquire funding. I seem to remember them sending me junk mail as a kid too ( you know, the junky calenders and envelope lables ) trying to get me to become a member. As for where their profits go, another question I was wondering...I seemed to recall an article in our newspaper addressing these enviro groups...how they spend the majority of the money they make on mailers and fliers that clog our mailboxes each year ( and thier suppose to be envirofreindly...lol ). So, needless to say, the money that Americans give them doesn't go to feed a poor starving dog, or get Fluffy a new home, it goes to make newsletters begging for even more money, then the cycle starts all over again...and our landfills see the results...lol...the animals don't see any of the money...but at least they get their word out, no matter how one sided and manipulative it is. That's where thier power lies, in thier ability to brain wash individuals. They get enough people screaming, and then law makers start paying attention, regardless of the truth...I think they would make a formidal opponant actually, just due to thier ability to reach the masses with thier " Give me money to make more trash " scheme...Now, I'm not a politician ( I normally avoid politics at all cost...lol ), and I have really just started getting serious with my herps over the past year or so, so clear this up for me...who is the main lobbiest for those of us in the herp community...who goes to bat for us and gets our opinions and concerns out there? Is there a name, a society, a group? Just from what I've seen ( and correct me if I'm wrong...no one said I didn't need guidence here...lol )but it seems to me that the herp community is divided a lot of the time ( this is just an observation on my part ). I specifically remember a post( a few months back ) from an individual on this forum stating that he really didnt care if iggy's got banned, he was just worried about herps as a whole...I found that intreaging...how could someone not care if iguanas were banned, but care if all herps were banned? Are iguanas not herps? If thier banned, won't others be banned too? The rational was ludicrous to me...what bothered me more was that this person said they worked to fight laws and get the word of the reptile community to the lobbiests...I don't think I want someone like that representing me...I guess my question is " Are we actually prepared for something like this? ". I think the petition is a good first step, getting people heard is always good...it at least shows we are listening. And even if this falls through the floor and goes away for awhile...what can we ( or are we ) going to do to be prepared for the next time? Finally....I hear alot of talk about how the reptile trade should be better regulated and how petstores need to have stricter regulations on the keeping of thier reptiles, but what is the reptile community doing as a whole to push this? Is there any sort of society that deals with these things? Sigh....I've pondered far to long, and I apologize if this makes no sense....but I am sort of confused, but I do feel better sharing it all though! LOL

Follow Ups:

Interesting Link Samcin 09/10/01 (1)
- Great link!!! ;-) Shalaney 09/10/01 (0)
Far from "idiot" status..;) Mr. D 09/10/01 (0)

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: I was asking myself some of the same questions...from what I gathered they rely on donations and selling T-shirts and things to aquire funding. I seem to remember them sending me junk mail as a kid too ( you know, the junky calenders and envelope lables ) trying to get me to become a member. As for where their profits go, another question I was wondering...I seemed to recall an article in our newspaper addressing these enviro groups...how they spend the majority of the money they make on mailers and fliers that clog our mailboxes each year ( and thier suppose to be envirofreindly...lol ). So, needless to say, the money that Americans give them doesn't go to feed a poor starving dog, or get Fluffy a new home, it goes to make newsletters begging for even more money, then the cycle starts all over again...and our landfills see the results...lol...the animals don't see any of the money...but at least they get their word out, no matter how one sided and manipulative it is. That's where thier power lies, in thier ability to brain wash individuals. They get enough people screaming, and then law makers start paying attention, regardless of the truth...I think they would make a formidal opponant actually, just due to thier ability to reach the masses with thier " Give me money to make more trash " scheme...Now, I'm not a politician ( I normally avoid politics at all cost...lol ), and I have really just started getting serious with my herps over the past year or so, so clear this up for me...who is the main lobbiest for those of us in the herp community...who goes to bat for us and gets our opinions and concerns out there? Is there a name, a society, a group? Just from what I've seen ( and correct me if I'm wrong...no one said I didn't need guidence here...lol )but it seems to me that the herp community is divided a lot of the time ( this is just an observation on my part ). I specifically remember a post( a few months back ) from an individual on this forum stating that he really didnt care if iggy's got banned, he was just worried about herps as a whole...I found that intreaging...how could someone not care if iguanas were banned, but care if all herps were banned? Are iguanas not herps? If thier banned, won't others be banned too? The rational was ludicrous to me...what bothered me more was that this person said they worked to fight laws and get the word of the reptile community to the lobbiests...I don't think I want someone like that representing me...I guess my question is " Are we actually prepared for something like this? ". I think the petition is a good first step, getting people heard is always good...it at least shows we are listening. And even if this falls through the floor and goes away for awhile...what can we ( or are we ) going to do to be prepared for the next time? Finally....I hear alot of talk about how the reptile trade should be better regulated and how petstores need to have stricter regulations on the keeping of thier reptiles, but what is the reptile community doing as a whole to push this? Is there any sort of society that deals with these things? Sigh....I've pondered far to long, and I apologize if this makes no sense....but I am sort of confused, but I do feel better sharing it all though! LOL

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