RE: [Gecko] HSUS

[Holmes]

Teachers teach, Craig.  I see nowhere in the post where the teacher making the request is doing anything more than helping a student learns the ins and outs of research projects and the assembly of such.   The HSUS has seldom provided much in the way of positive activity for the pet owners of the world.  Conversely, the organisation has attempted to restrict and/or influence repressive legislation through hidden agendas and deceptive information programs.  Ironically, much of the HSUS revenue is garnered from the very people they are targeting. Several years ago, I authored an article in "The Vivarium".  (See "Animal Rights vs. Animal Welfare; What's the difference?", Vol. 5, No. 6, pp.5, 12-13.)  The HSUS threatened a lawsuit against the AFH, however, all data in the article were deemed to be substantiated and irrefutable.  The article was a very popular reprint throughout the country in herp society publications.  Subsequently, I was invited to speak at the 1995 IHS which was to include a rather interesting debate with a gentleman representing the HSUS.   If the student would like a list of excellent references regarding the subject of animal rights, please feel free to email me and I will forward any resources I have.   It is an important and frequently misunderstood topic that I feel very strongly about and have been involved in for over 20 years.   Regards,   ~Holmes   BTW, I agree taht Bill could have done a much better job of presenting our case in his article.  It is an emotional subject, yet emotion must be removed and the subject matter dealt with logically and professionally. -----Original Message----- From: Craig Sweeney [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: 21 February, 2002 19:35 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [Gecko] HSUS Hi John, I'm lost as to why you are furnishing a student with research material. Times have changed, When I went to school teachers graded the research and we had to do the research. None the less, since you have biased the students research with what you have provided her with, perhaps the other side of the coin would be for her (and you) to call or e-mail the regional director of the HSUS and see what they may want to provide on there behalf. The general outrage by herpers (including myself) has taken an ugly role. An article in Reptile Magazine by Bill Love has Bill saying this group had the nerve to declare war on the herp industry 6 days before the terrorism of Sept. 11th. What does a statement like that mean, that they had prior knowledge of the incident or that he will stoop to very low standards to vilify this group. The results are simple, circle the wagons and defend the hobby. The HSUS book, "Reptiles as Pets, An Examination Of The In Live Reptiles In The United States" costs $10 and is worth reading. It does in fact nail the reptile industry, it does however also twist a bias proposing banishment as opposed to regulating as the ARAV has submitted and I personally agree with. Maybe you could start there. I think we forget that they have in the past done some good things. Unfortunately they have crossed an important line, or is it possible they took this extravagant approach to give the herp industry a kick in the pants to police its own and clean up its act? Craig