Seamus Haley
Big Game Hunter
... I think there was some life left, so this may be a mercy blow. Just kinda looking for clarification and NOT to stir up a mass of trouble.
There was a thread which was started by Gary Orner asking if Fauna might support an online petition regarding venomoids, Rich responded saying he had no avaliable banner space (A very commendable thing, not allowing advertisers to drop below a certain number of impressions) which kinda answered a part of the question but not all of it.
Then things hit the fan for awhile due pretty much to some misunderstandings and communication problems. There was some resolution but nothing really concrete.
So, without dredging up any of the *problems* which the miscommunications caused and addressing ONLY the issues...
I know that you had said you weren't willing to devote time and engery towards another battle, you have picked your wars and I believe everyone respects that. You can't be faulted for not taking on every battle and burning yourself out, you've already devoted far more time and resources than the majority have on herp related issues which you feel would better the community and industry as a whole. I also recall you stating that you were still personally fairly on the fence about the issue of venomoids and venomoid creation.
I was wondering if it might be possible (keep in mind that a negative or neutral response is absolutely understandable) if a post were written that introduced the subject in a neutral manner and contained a link to the petition (which is and may always be a work in progress as Scott refines the ideas and wording in response to misunderstandings as they occur) that fauna members could choose to read (or not read) and "sign" (or not "sign") as they see fit... And if such a post could possibly be a sticky, so as to save others the effort of finding clever ways to bump it. If you might consider this, would you consider placing it on the BOI (Traffic issues, plus it deals with a broad spectrum industry related issue) or possibly the general business discussions, or would you find the venomous forum more appropriate?
(The next few question/proposals get steadily more subjective and entail more fauna support)
How about a somewhat less neutral post? Perhaps one which explains the reasons that have prompted many keepers to take up an anti-venomoid stance?
Would you consider, if sufficient evidence could be presented to convince you and your mods or the members who have access to the steering comittee area that it was a business/ethical issue worthy of such steps, disallowing venomoids in your own classified sections as of a specified date?
How about adding Fauna to the list of sites which take an anti-venomoid stance, even if banner space is at a premium and no banner ads could be placed here? It would add Fauna banners to other websites with a similar stance, even if Fauna does not reciprocate the promotion, or not as is your prefference.
I'd wager there's a waiting list for banner space, would you allow a banner to be purchased by an individual (or group) which has an anti-venomoid message and links to another anti-venomoid website? Please keep in mind that the individuals considering the purchase understand your banner ad policies and would be willing to wait in line as any other advertiser would.
I do not want to add a lecture about why I think venomoids are wrong at this juncture, unless I am informed that such a post would be welcomed or of interest but I will note that I feel it's an important issue to more than just venomous keepers, although the impact to any given individual will obviously vary and some just won't care one way or the other... I do not have a "With us or against us" mentality and any rejection or abstinance will not be met with rancor and the issue will be dropped unless I am given the impression that further information/discussion is desired.
Thanks for your time, regardless of your choices.
There was a thread which was started by Gary Orner asking if Fauna might support an online petition regarding venomoids, Rich responded saying he had no avaliable banner space (A very commendable thing, not allowing advertisers to drop below a certain number of impressions) which kinda answered a part of the question but not all of it.
Then things hit the fan for awhile due pretty much to some misunderstandings and communication problems. There was some resolution but nothing really concrete.
So, without dredging up any of the *problems* which the miscommunications caused and addressing ONLY the issues...
I know that you had said you weren't willing to devote time and engery towards another battle, you have picked your wars and I believe everyone respects that. You can't be faulted for not taking on every battle and burning yourself out, you've already devoted far more time and resources than the majority have on herp related issues which you feel would better the community and industry as a whole. I also recall you stating that you were still personally fairly on the fence about the issue of venomoids and venomoid creation.
I was wondering if it might be possible (keep in mind that a negative or neutral response is absolutely understandable) if a post were written that introduced the subject in a neutral manner and contained a link to the petition (which is and may always be a work in progress as Scott refines the ideas and wording in response to misunderstandings as they occur) that fauna members could choose to read (or not read) and "sign" (or not "sign") as they see fit... And if such a post could possibly be a sticky, so as to save others the effort of finding clever ways to bump it. If you might consider this, would you consider placing it on the BOI (Traffic issues, plus it deals with a broad spectrum industry related issue) or possibly the general business discussions, or would you find the venomous forum more appropriate?
(The next few question/proposals get steadily more subjective and entail more fauna support)
How about a somewhat less neutral post? Perhaps one which explains the reasons that have prompted many keepers to take up an anti-venomoid stance?
Would you consider, if sufficient evidence could be presented to convince you and your mods or the members who have access to the steering comittee area that it was a business/ethical issue worthy of such steps, disallowing venomoids in your own classified sections as of a specified date?
How about adding Fauna to the list of sites which take an anti-venomoid stance, even if banner space is at a premium and no banner ads could be placed here? It would add Fauna banners to other websites with a similar stance, even if Fauna does not reciprocate the promotion, or not as is your prefference.
I'd wager there's a waiting list for banner space, would you allow a banner to be purchased by an individual (or group) which has an anti-venomoid message and links to another anti-venomoid website? Please keep in mind that the individuals considering the purchase understand your banner ad policies and would be willing to wait in line as any other advertiser would.
I do not want to add a lecture about why I think venomoids are wrong at this juncture, unless I am informed that such a post would be welcomed or of interest but I will note that I feel it's an important issue to more than just venomous keepers, although the impact to any given individual will obviously vary and some just won't care one way or the other... I do not have a "With us or against us" mentality and any rejection or abstinance will not be met with rancor and the issue will be dropped unless I am given the impression that further information/discussion is desired.
Thanks for your time, regardless of your choices.
