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I didn't think of that! Well done - will you have the blue crocodile or the grey elephant hide?Ha! Earlier today I've asked if there was a discount on the bags ... no respons yet.
Mass ignorance of economics? It's called greed. It's the disparity and inequality made a million times worse and more vulgar for something so tacky and vile. One idiot spends tens of thousands on the corpse of an endangered animal while other people go hungry. Those going hungry and in in absolute need in such places see the obscenely high prices that an elephant hide fetches and they go find them selves an elephant to slaughter and start their own bag production.Granted I roll my eyes at this too but what's truly obscene is this mass ignorance of economics. Otherwise intelligent and supposedly educated people actually still believe in Marxist economics... that someone's extravagance penalizes someone less fortunate. It's this zero sum thinking, that labor and creativity don't add value and create worth, that keeps people in perpetual poverty.
It's petty envy that betrays a certain jealousy and ruefulness. "I can't have it so nobody else should" as though they're still spoilt brats on the playground.
I have no love for the fools who buy overpriced luxury goods but if there is a market for them then 100s, if not 1000s of people are benefitting down the supply and production chains. Good for them. Rather than wallowing in poverty they're working... as if that's wrong in your warped morals?
I suppose you hold the people who buy your artwork in similar contempt? Or is their money more moral and enlightened because it goes into your pocket?
Apologies for breaking up the liberal group think session, please go back to blaming other people for injustices.
Totally agree - and the Guardian article and all . .Mass ignorance of economics? It's called greed. It's the disparity and inequality made a million times worse and more vulgar for something so tacky and vile. One idiot spends tens of thousands on the corpse of an endangered animal while other people go hungry. Those going hungry and in in absolute need in such places see the extortionately high prices that an elephant hide fetches and they go find them selves an elephant to slaughter.
Elephant skin trade is a worrying trend that is gaining momentum. People are making all sorts of things with it including jewellery and, in this case bags:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/s...n-trade-the-animals-latest-existential-threat
Do you want your children and their children to be able to enjoy these animals in the wild? Or would you rather a select few with a spare $50,000 hang one over their shoulder, the last remaining specimens of these incredibly intelligent and emotional creatures.
You are right to question but wether or not it is actually legal does not mean it is right. It doesn't mean that illegal trade will be laundered off the back of "legal" trade and masqueraded as ethically sourced. It doesn't mean that it won't provide incentive for illegal poachers who see the high prices it fetches.Totally agree - and the Guardian article and all . .
BUT Thorsten's article says that the elephant hide is provided from animals which died naturally in reserves, and that the proceeds go back to the reserve to help fund it . . . Of course, he could be lying, but then maybe again he isn't. Whatever you think of greed or whatever, I guess it's one's duty to find out whether the claims are true first? (as far as I'm concerned if he's lying he deserves to be skinned himself!)
Sorry - I'm not casting aspersions myself as I don't have the information . . .
Gordon Bennet - I sound like I'm defending him - but I think criticism has to be on the nail
Hi ThereYou are right to question but wether or not it is actually legal does not mean it is right. It doesn't mean that illegal trade will be laundered off the back of "legal" trade and masqueraded as ethically sourced. It doesn't mean that it won't provide incentive for illegal poachers who see the high prices it fetches.
Lets not forget - this is an ENDANGERED animal that has become so from hunting and poaching. This is not acceptable and it's not a right in any way to encourage. If you took this bag through Africa you would likely get it confiscated at the airport. The sale of anything like this is illegal in parts of the world for very good reason.
You are right to question but wether or not it is actually legal does not mean it is right. It doesn't mean that illegal trade will be laundered off the back of "legal" trade and masqueraded as ethically sourced. It doesn't mean that it won't provide incentive for illegal poachers who see the high prices it fetches.
Lets not forget - this is an ENDANGERED animal that has become so from hunting and poaching. This is not acceptable and it's not a right in any way to encourage. If you took this bag through Africa you would likely get it confiscated at the airport. The sale of anything like this is illegal in parts of the world for very good reason.
Rayyan
I'm not belittling your response (or disagreeing).
It's pretty obscene . . but compared to the much worse obscenities in the world - I don't think it really compares.
Same with the Leica 'see in the dark' camera - you aren't obliged to buy it.
But in the face of Syria / Trump / Cambridge Analytica / Nerve poison attacks . . .
I'd rather take the mickey on the whole.
EXOTIC SKINS BANS IN CALIFORNIA WHAT SKINS ARE BANNED?Hi There
I'm not forgetting any of this - and to be honest I don't know if there is such a scheme for selling hides of naturally dead animals, or if it would be a good thing if it exists.
Just that if there is a scheme to help fund reserves then perhaps it's a good thing?
I certainly wasn't excusing him because it might be legal - only if it's actually contributing.
but hey! you must understand that I'd sooner have a hole in the head than own an elephant bag . . But ill directed criticism can sometimes be worse than none at all.
. . and is it true that the sale of elephant skin is banned? If it is then he has absolutely no excuses! (as the scheme clearly wouldn't exist!)
On the case RayyanWe seem to have at least one contributor to this thread who seems to have taken
Economic lessons from readings of Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged.
Bravo!
Ouch!Of course, the proceeds from these luxury leather items will be sent to fund the preservation of these wild animals. I have no doubt. We should have more philanthropists of this vein.
First last and final warning....(Of course... admin deleted.)