Banning Things Doesn't Work

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I don't know how many times I will say it, but I'm sure you will see it a lot on this blog: banning things does not work.

Here we have another example of how slow the government is to react to something. Background information: owners of pet Burmese pythons have been releasing them into the Everglades for some time now, whether it be because they didn't realize just how huge they get or they just got bored of them. The species has taken hold in the Everglades and is breeding in the wild. Its population is thought to be over 30,000 individuals in the Everglades. First the good news: there is a python patrol in the Florida Keys trying to keep Burmese pythons from spreading there via the Everglades. The bad news, it is way too late and I have a few problems with trying to ban the importation of Burmese pythons (they are trying to do it):

1. When you ban something its value skyrockets, thus creating another criminal opportunity. Let responsible people own these snakes if they want. Instead of banning them, make a registration system so that when people buy one you know who is supposed to own them and who isn't. Create a penalty under the law for releasing them into the wild and hold people accountable. Don't take away the freedoms of all because of a few idiots.

2. If there are over 30,000 Burmese pythons currently in the Everglades and there has been evidence found that they are breeding in the wild, there is nothing we can do about it at this point. That is a foothold in the ecosystem that we cannot break. If you were going to do something about the population of Burmese pythons in the Everglades it should have been done years ago when we first knew about this. Of course, the government never reacts until it is too late.

3. The bill introduced by Florida Senator Bill Nelson only bans Burmese pythons. This shows how little research politicians do before writing a bill. Reticulated pythons grow longer than Burmese pythons and anacondas grow much heavier and they are both legal. Now, I am not saying ban them all I am just using this as an example of the stupidity of this Senator.

4. Accept the fact that you will not be able to eradicate them from the Everglades at this point. Now let us look at the big picture: they will not spread much farther than the immediate area because they need a very specific climate and even just a little north of the Everglades it would be no good.

Now for my real ideas on how to fix this. Make a registration system for all new imported, large snake species (i.e. large pythons and boas) and register them to an owner. Implant a microchip under the skin and there will be no problems. If it is tracked in the wild the person is in trouble and you can hold them accountable. This way, responsible owners who want to enjoy the animals, can have their animals.

It took me about ten minutes to think of this better alternative, why is it so hard for thick-headed and ignorant politicians to do that? Do they understand anything outside of the actual politics? (As you can tell I am a snake enthusiast.)