"USARK and the efforts of everyone in the herp community stopped these bills the FIRST time through by speaking out."

I think you're referring to HR669. (?) That one wasn't going to pass anyway. It was so stupid it never would have made it to the house or senate anyway, unless every committee member happens to be a complete idiot. If you choose to believe the public comments and protesting is what stopped it, then you don't have to know you've wasted your time. It didn't make it past that point because it was idiotic. Again, this time around, it is still too broad. A ban on constrictors that get over 15 feet is not a bad idea. Besides, this bill is about adding them to the "injurious species" list. Obviously not all pythons fall into that category and THAT is why it won't pass as-is.

All this talk of a ban on burmese pythons will destroy "our only chance to continue legally keeping reptiles in the US" is just nonsense. That statement reeks of the kind of sensationalism that Senator Bill Nelson used by trying to ban all pythons by showing the size of ONE of the species. Basically, it's a lie, but if people hear it enough, they begin to believe it, and you have their support.

"...your garter snakes aren't even remotely safe from all of this. HSUS has them on the chopping block, too."

I don't think so. That's a bit of a stretch don't you think?

Anyway, it was just like I said before, some kind of ban, in one form or another is going to happen with or without comments and protests.

I think maybe it's better for your cause if I don't vote or comment, because I would have to say that I would support the bill if they narrow it down to a few species that really do belong on that list of injurious species. I think the reptile hobby and trade, and related industries are not going to suffer from banning 20 foot, face biting, child killing snakes. Burmese pythons are terrible choice as a pet.