Yep.  Red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) already overwinter here.  For now it seems doubtful our warm weather will prove either warm enough or long enough for them to successfully reproduce. And you misunderstood my use of 'irresponsible.'  I'm saying release of non-native species into the environment is irresponsible.  Period.  And have enough examples to demonstrate that it isn't 'subjective', but a logical assessment of a predictable outcome in the vast majority of cases.

Example--AK F&G lists the bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) as a potentially harmful species should it be introduced, for several very good reasons.  They are asymptomatic carriers of Batrachochythrium dendrobatis, a deadly fungus which is eliminating amphibian species worldwide.  They also prey on smaller species and have caused extreme declines in native frog species in the western US.  To predict their introduction here would prove harmful to native wood frogs (R. sylvatica) isn't 'subjective'.  At all.