Is it wrong to try to get my hands on some of this?

**Pyment** · 06-20-2009, 12:31 AM

it is not wrong (in and of itself) to want some special scales for your razor. This is called temptation. Having temptation isn't wrong. Asking the question shows that the he knew it is wrong.

Resisting temptation happens when one is re-focused on what is important: saving endangered species, stopping organized crime, making sure the blade is well forged and good steel, and keeping Brett Favre from playing with the Vikings (OK that last bit was to see if anyone was still reading - I really don't care if he comes out of retirement).

Bottom line? I think we've helped him refocus on what is important. We probably shouldn't overdo it.

**slipangle** · 06-20-2009, 09:35 AM

Judging by his last posts, I think he's made a clear decision. I had a bit of a moment like this a few years back.

Without going into much detail, I ran into an old friend who happened to have a VERY good (cheap and quality) source of illegal recreational substances. He named a figure for which he would part with a certain amount of this substance. This figure would have netted me a massive profit.

I have many friends who enjoy this substance, and would buy in good quantities on a regular basis. For me, it would have been just a quick drive in town to one place, a phone call, and a drive to another place close by. Easy, BIG money.

For just a minute, I seriously considered it.

Then I realized that it really wasn't worth it.

I think our OP made the same kind of rational decision after a moment of temptation. Good on him.

**fccexpert** · 06-23-2009, 07:36 PM

If it is illegal, it is illegal - stay away. From a moral or ethical standpoint, you will have to decide for yourself. Personally, I think the whole sale ban on all ivory, regardless of where it comes from, is a perfect example regulations run amok.

**0livia** · 06-26-2009, 10:31 AM

Well it did not meet the expectations on a broad range either.
They intended to wipe out the demand, when its not seen anywhere.
They even wanted to forbid copies of its look to get there.
Did not work.

**gregs656** · 06-26-2009, 10:43 AM

Another fine example of mans inability to find a balance. It's either banned and protected to the point there are too many, or hunted to the point of extinction.

Yay for us.

**NightLad** · 06-27-2009, 08:08 AM

Hi there,

Apparently Thailand, due to legal loopholes and inadequate enforcement of current laws, is number 1 in trafficking of illegal ivory products. So, I guess if you wanted to you could get some, sure. But I'm glad to see you decided not to. That said;

It isn’t the material itself that is in question, but rather how it is procured.

The Ivory is illegal because poachers slaughter endangered and threatened animals to harvest their tusks for ivory. In the past, prior to the advancement of modern technology, hunting these animals was difficult and dangerous. When they were killed they were used completely. However, in the early part of the century advancements in things such as transportation and weaponry made the gathering of ivory easy, relatively safe, and highly lucrative. Yet it was these same reasons that drove several species to brink of extinction.

Many of these species are still critically endangered. Their native habitat is shrinking, the reserves are woefully underfunded and not adequately protected, and they are still very vulnerable to poachers. Ironically, the laws making ivory trafficking illegal are what drove the price and the rarity up, which in turn fuels the black market.

In short, even if people only buy a "little" ivory to make custom scales for their own personal use, the fact is that they are still buying it; that means they are contributing to the demand for it. If you buy ivory than somebody, somewhere, is going to go out tomorrow and slaughter an endangered animal to get more ivory to sell to another person... who may just want to buy a “little bit” for his own personal use.

It is a cycle that can only stop with you.

YouTube - WWF Commercial Against Ivory Trade

**Whiskers** · 06-27-2009, 11:42 AM

Why not just use bone instead?

It looks similar, isnt illegal, and readily available.

Ivory is cool and all ... but not that cool (to me anyways). Too much trouble and hassle associated with ivory.

**icedog** · 06-27-2009, 11:50 AM

This is an interesting thread. The take on the subject seems to be split just about down the middle. Half or us say the use of a little ivory shouldn't hurt and the laws are foolish because they are not working. The other half says the laws are just and reasonable and the use of any ivory is bad.

Here's were I come down on the issue. I am a firm believer in the old saw, "If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem." Perhaps you will be surprised to hear me say this isn't about the ivory itself. My concern is not for the elephants, directly. The governments of (from what we are told) most African countries are so corrupt, the people are starving and constantly afraid for their lives from either rebels or government troops. We have heard the more recent news of the massive attempts of genocide in the Sudan. The rebels against the government have been financing their wars with anything they can sell from diamonds to charcoal (that is pretty much the full range of the carbon spectrum). Whenever something on the entire content of Africa has been found to be marketable, the people of the country in which it is harvested suffer. This is true for oil, gold, diamonds, tantalum (and other minerals) big game animals, exotic lumbers (like ebony and zebrawood), slaves and of course ivory. Recently laws have been passed controlling the production of charcoal because it is so widely used for heating and cooking that people are damaging the rainforests and contributing to global pollution. Of course the people have no alternatives and bypass the laws by purchasing black market charcoal. In short, a global concern does not necessarily make it onto the lists of poor African fishermen and farmers. They are concerned with surviving through this day. So, if they can sell ivory to buy charcoal or food or seeds, they will do it. Although the population of the majestic African elephant has been reduced by more than 50% in the last twenty years, is it likely that a few laws will make the elephants repopulate? I doubt it. If you have ever been desparate you understand that laws mean nothing to a starving man. Ray Charles wrote, "I ain't a thief but a man can go wrong when he's busted." So in all likelihood, the slaughter will continue as long as ivory from African elephants can be sold. Do you care?

If you care, the answer is simple. Don't contribute to the problem. If you simply must have ivory, there is fossil ivory available. Personally, I think there are other materials that are far more beautiful and easier to work with than ivory.

Here's a little dialog from The Graduate:

Mr. McGuire: I want to say one word to you. Just one word.
Benjamin: Yes, sir.
McGuire: Are you listening?
Benjamin: Yes, I am.
McGuire: Plastics

Brad

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