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