Hey all,
I'll be the first to admit that I was being a little ornery this morning. If my language or whatever offended anyone who's not an idiot, I'm sorry...but you need to get over it and hear me out. There's a more important issue here than the way Anthony Caponetto speaks to stupid people.
If you're still caught up wondering if I'm really such a jerk, yes...when people act like this, absolutely. But if I like you, I wouldn't think twice about giving you the shirt off my back. I'm Italian...we fight hard, but we love even harder. That's who I am, now let's move on.
I didn't come here looking for a fight...I came here to offer Rich my support and ideas. Of course, I got slammed for it because these people don't like hearing the truth (that they've ruined this forum). But I'm not the guy who's going to come on here and get pushed around, like other breeders usually do. And I'm not going to let them stop me from trying to save this thing before it's too late.
If I piss a few people off in the process, I can live with that. You say that might be bad for business, and maybe you're right...maybe someone would rather go spend their money with someone who wears a fake smile and blows smoke up their arse.
Still, the idea of that is not nearly as bad as a reptile industry where people are scared to buy from smaller breeders online. Of course people will continue to buy from me...I have a big website and a good reputation. I produce thousands of reptiles every year. I think I'll be OK. However, my customers are breeders too...and when they quit being able to sell their animals online because it's just too risky to buy online, then they won't have money to spend with me. It's the classic trickle down effect...and I think that will cost me more money in the long run, simple as that.
I have no doubt, that no matter how nice or polite I would have put anything I said, there would have been an attack on me because what I had to say is not what they want to hear. Each and every one of you know this is true, whether you agree with my approach or not.
Truth is, I really do enjoy getting these guys riled up. Every time, it's the same scenario. I start talking in very general terms about "the idiots" and then, without fail, the idiots come flocking like bugs to a bug zapper. They fall for it every single time. It's almost funny that I actually have to explain that I'm manipulating them into proving my point.
So now this nonsense is finally threatening to take away OUR Board of Inquiry! You've ALL lost your collective marbles if you think I'm going to sugar coat the truth, just so the very idiots who've caused the problem don't get offended.
If they get offended because I'm not polite to them, then good...screw 'em. That's the whole point. Children don't like getting spanked either, but sometimes that's the only way children can be reasoned with. No offense to children either...at least they have a legitimate excuse for acting like a child.
I know most people won't agree, but that's never stopped me from speaking my mind, so here's a final thought...
Maybe, just MAYBE, if more honest breeders and upstanding hobbyists would stand up for themselves and quit taking shit from these idiots, they would either learn to shut up, or take their BS elsewhere.