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Disagree Diplomatically
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by tigers9 on May 12, 2008
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With Arlingotn ban hearing approaching and this forum having some diplomatic issues lately as well, I recommend readign AKC brochure below on the issues, just substitute the word DOG with snake/animal.
Z
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http://www.akc.org/canine_legislation/gileg2.cfm
Disagree Diplomatically
PDF Version
http://www.akc.org/pdfs/GILEG2.pdf
9 Tips for expressing differences of opinion in the public policy arena.
It’s easy to get frustrated when your lawmakers seem to be doing the exact opposite of what you’d like them to do, or when another interest group is supporting legislation which works directly against your interests and beliefs.
At first glance, their opinions may appear groundless or misinformed.
But, while you may not always agree with all proposals for the policies governing you, the following tips may help you handle these disagreements more productively and, ultimately, gain respect for your opinions on issues of canine legislation.
Try To Remember:
1. Your lawmakers are trying to do the right thing.
They just may not have the same base of knowledge or expertise about dogs that you do. Instead of chastising them, try educating them. If your facts are convincing, you may persuade your lawmaker that your way is the "right" way.
2. Laws are proposed and passed to solve problems.
By the time a law gets proposed, the lawmaker has already been convinced that the problem exists. At this point, it may be too late to convince your lawmaker to do nothing, or that there really is not a "problem" at all. Instead, try suggesting a different "solution" to the problem. Your approach doesn’t even have to involve a law - for example, education is a good way to address problems involving irresponsible dog ownership.
3. If you want a solution that does not involve a new law, be prepared to help.
After all, if the government isn’t going to solve the problem, someone else will have to. And who better than you (or your club) to deal with an issue that you know so much about, and to make sure things are done your way? You can begin these volunteer services while the proposal is still under consideration. Such initiative will convince your lawmakers that (a) you are serious about your offer to help, and (b) the job will actually get done.
4. Be sure to understand the proposal.
It’s never safe to assume that all proposals which are not in the best interests of dog fanciers are the same, nor is it safe to assume that what you read in your newspaper is an accurate description of the law. Even similar types of legislation often have different wording which makes them very different when enacted. You need to know what you’re dealing with, because without all the facts, it’s hard to make a convincing argument. Having a specific understanding of the reasons for and content of the proposal will help you to put together a rational, complete response to it. Reading the proposal and knowing the details will also alert you to the issues that your opposition most wants to address, which may help you come up with some more acceptable alternative solutions.
Don’t just tell your government that their proposal won’t work - tell them what will.
5. Rudeness never wins respect.
Listen carefully and respectfully to all speakers during public meetings. Don’t let bad manners undermine your credibility.
6. Never raise your voice or lose your cool.
No one wants to listen to someone rant and rave, no matter how good their ideas may be.
7. Avoid threats.
Threats immediately put people on the defensive and close their minds to what you are saying. To get your opinions heard and respected, you want to get people to listen to you.
8. Always back up your positions with facts.
When you disagree, explain why. For example: "I know some people think that breeders only breed their dogs to make money and get rich, but my experiences as a breeder and show judge of 15 years have shown me that this is most often not the case. Responsible breeders breed to the standard and for the betterment of their breed, and are not motivated solely by profit."
9. Keep your focus on the ideas, and not on the people presenting them.
Personality criticisms appear petty or vindictive to the casual observer, and can damage your own credibility as much as your target’s. Be careful not to let personal attacks distract from the merits of your position.
Remember, actions speak louder than words.
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RE: Disagree Diplomatically
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by 23bms on May 16, 2008
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"Laws are proposed and passed to solve problems"
Laws are proposed and passed to solve PERCEIVED or FABRICATED or NON-EXISTANT problems and, MORE IMPORTANTLY, to demonstrate that the duly elected legislator is somehow nobly serving his/her constituency and thus merits reelection and its attendant perquisites (ie power) - ETERNALLY.
If 90% of the current laws were wiped off the books, this would be a vastly better country. Alas, that is a pipe dream. The benevolent progressive socialist state will draw us all to its tender breast, will nurture and educate us, will help us overcome our pathetic ignorance and inadequacies. It will take care of us. After all, we are too STUPID to know what is good for us.
Cynicism aside, Z, I find your posts fascinating and your enthusiasm and determination inspiring. There are very few people in this realm of endeavor that I can say that about. Keep up the good work.
jrb
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RE: Disagree Diplomatically
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by tigers9 on May 16, 2008
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Thanks, I am not used to get compliments on this forum, so not sure how to handle it and thank u to be 100%honest...usually here, I feel like I am dodging 45 cal machine gun bullets , while wearing miniskirt with 11 inch high heels on ice.(there is a visual image for Friday night, hehe)
Anyway, seriously, I do understand why some people here get annoyed with me lion /tiger tamer activists post, I too rather talk about hugging my lion then politics, like u want to talk about which snake is most venomous ...
Back in 2001 I wrote short paper 'Politics of exotic animal ownership ' , it was published in some small animal owners publications and I was supposed to present it in Fall 2001 in Florida conference, ISZ (International Society of Zooculturists) , AZA private competition ' or so, ... when I was still with Phoenix exotics, group I co-founded in late 1990s (I have been gone for a while now)
http://www.phoenixexotics.org/p-mm0002.html
Long story short, few weeks before FL 2001 conference, while already living in NV, I was supposed to fly one way trip, and drive rest of my stuff back from my old WA home to my new NV home back, on 911, yes, I was one of the people who was supposed to fly on 911…long story short, that didn’t happen (I sure know how to pick a day to fly though)..after 2 weeks of rescheduling my one way WA trip, with renting of yellow RYDER truck to drive back to NV, (I cancelled, and I was so sick of airline treating me like terrorist, I have heavy accent and this was not too long after OK yellow truck bombing issues ... just decided not to fly to FL few weeks later, so my paper was just mailed, but I was not there. )
Anyway, since then I rewrote it, added to it, so trust me, I share your sentiments, I want to talk about wild/exotic animals husbandry, not politics, but I do not think we have a choice lately, we all have to be pro animal owners (pet, exhibition, research) activists, the more I try to escpae politics, the deeper in it I get entangled in fighting stupid politics.
http://www.rexano.org//WildPolitics.htm
Wild Politics of Exotic Animal Ownership
By Zuzana Kukol
Searching for freedom in the 'land of the free’
Growing up as an animal lover in the former communist Czechoslovakia, I often dreamed about the day I would become free and live my life to the fullest with very little or no government intervention.
To realize my dreams, I left my home, friends and family at the age of 20, and after spending 1 year in a political refugee camp in Italy, I came to the USA ready to turn my dream into a reality. Speaking no English I used my dictionary to learn new words and phrases. This was in 1986.
A lot has changed since then, some words and terms no longer have the same meaning and some words and terms have become “politically incorrect”. Some of these politically incorrect terms are “exotic pet” and “private ownership of exotic animals”.
Being raised in a heavily political climate of a communist Czechoslovakia, I saw becoming a US citizen and getting exotic pets as a way to escape the politics and just relax and live a peaceful life in a free country with my beloved pets. Little did I know that privately owning exotic animals would be one of the most political journeys of my life.
SNIP
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