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Author Topic: Time to send ABS execs to the clink! Breaking the law in CA  (Read 5936 times)

Bjaardker

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Hehe,

Caught this article & I thought you might be intrested in it considering how much ABS & D/T tout their Kangaroo Leather.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2003/05/07/state0001EDT0244.DTL

"Under a 1971 California law, a host of animals or their parts are barred from commercial sale in the state, the suit says. That law, found in the criminal code, includes elephant, crocodile, sable antelope, jaguar, cheetah and polar bear. California is the only state criminalizing the sale of kangaroo parts for commercial purposes"

Sounds like ABS might need a good lawyer

 

Jeffrevs

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Re: Time to send ABS execs to the clink! Breaking the law in CA
« Reply #1 on: May 09, 2003, 07:43:52 AM »
3 words

LIBERAL WHACKO STATE!!  Period, end of discussion!!  My God!

First they say:
quote:

"By using kangaroo leather for commercial purposes, Adidas is saying that it doesn't care about animals or about the law," said David Blatte, an attorney representing Viva! International Voice for Animals, whose United States headquarters is in Davis.


THEN, go on to say....
quote:

The animal rights group said Adidas uses the red, eastern gray and western gray varieties, which are legally hunted in Australia.


So what's the big deal ?

Give me a break!




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Jeff

michelle

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Re: Time to send ABS execs to the clink! Breaking the law in CA
« Reply #2 on: May 09, 2003, 07:46:56 AM »

Initial thought...maybe its a good thing Phil works in a state that apparently has no such language in the statutes.  

Also, could not the argument be advanced that the sale that takes place to a CA resident is for personal use, not commercial purposes.  

Caveat: I'm too lazy to go look up California code right now, and besides, I don't live in the state

Bjaardker

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Re: Time to send ABS execs to the clink! Breaking the law in CA
« Reply #3 on: May 09, 2003, 07:49:55 AM »
They may be legally hunted in Australia, but the goods from them can't be sold here.

The same way elephants were legally hunted for years in Africa, well after Ivory was made illegal for import. (I'm pulling this one out of my rear, feel free to prove me wrong.)

I have to disagee, there's nothing Liberal about that. It's a shame that whackjobs like that have tainted an entire political viewpoint.

From a bowling standpoint, I wonder if ABS will continue to sell shoes there in CA.

Jeffrevs

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Re: Time to send ABS execs to the clink! Breaking the law in CA
« Reply #4 on: May 09, 2003, 07:53:29 AM »
Bjaardker,
quote:

They may be legally hunted in Australia, but the goods from them can't be sold here.


.....but why ???

If an animal can be legally hunted in the country of it's origin, but can't be sold in another state in America ? I can't buy it because the government says so ?  That's not liberal ?  We'll just agree to disagree...that's cool too
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Jeff

Edited on 5/9/2003 7:53 AM

Bjaardker

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Re: Time to send ABS execs to the clink! Breaking the law in CA
« Reply #5 on: May 09, 2003, 07:54:37 AM »
quote:
Also, could not the argument be advanced that the sale that takes place to a CA resident is for personal use, not commercial purposes.


Not sure. If that were the case then Addidas could advance the same argument.

I think the only way you could make that argument is if no PBA pro & regional bowlers used them, and if those who did removed all distinctive markings of the company from the shoe.

However that also depends on the interpretation of "Commercial Purposes". I think it could be said that selling the good for a profit is a commercial purpose.

Bjaardker

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Re: Time to send ABS execs to the clink! Breaking the law in CA
« Reply #6 on: May 09, 2003, 08:03:26 AM »
quote:
That's not liberal ?  We'll just agree to disagree...that's cool too


No, that's not liberal. It's the common misconception in our society that Whackjob PETA people should be lumped into the term liberal.
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lib·er·al (lbr-l, lbrl) adj.

A)Not limited to or by established, traditional, orthodox, or authoritarian attitudes, views, or dogmas; free from bigotry.

B)Favoring proposals for reform, open to new ideas for progress, and tolerant of the ideas and behavior of others; broad-minded.
 
c)Liberal Of, designating, or characteristic of a political party founded on or associated with principles of social and political liberalism, especially in Great Britain, Canada, and the United States.
---------------------------------

lib·er·al·ism    ( P )  Pronunciation Key  (lbr--lzm, lbr-)
n.
The state or quality of being liberal.

A) A political theory founded on the natural goodness of humans and the autonomy of the individual and favoring civil and political liberties, government by law with the consent of the governed, and protection from arbitrary authority.
often Liberalism The tenets or policies of a Liberal party.

B) An economic theory in favor of laissez-faire, the free market, and the gold standard.

C) A 19th-century Protestant movement that favored free intellectual inquiry, stressed the ethical and humanitarian content of Christianity, and de-emphasized dogmatic theology.

D) A 19th-century Roman Catholic movement that favored political democracy and ecclesiastical reform but was theologically orthodox.  
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It's a perversion of what being a liberal truely is to support such ridiculous laws. Liberalism is based on the belief that people by nature are good, not animals. It also believes in protection from arbitrary authority, this is pretty darn arbitrary.

Then again, this is a discussion for the non bowling forum.

Edited on 5/9/2003 8:04 AM

michelle

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Re: Time to send ABS execs to the clink! Breaking the law in CA
« Reply #7 on: May 09, 2003, 08:07:29 AM »
It will be an interesting case to follow (for those who care about such things).  Even though my purchase was for use in tour events, the purchase BY ME was still for personal use through a company located in a state other than California.

The existence of the suit does not mean a violation of law has occurred.  It simply means that a group came up with the money to pay a filing fee and other associated costs.  

Even if a decision were rendered against Adidas, chances are that appeals would take a number of years, meanwhile Adidas continues to do business as usual.

Question: Is Adidas based out of California?  Again, I am too lazy to check and I haven't worn Adidas shoes since the Carter administration.

Edited on 5/9/2003 8:06 AM

Jeffrevs

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Re: Time to send ABS execs to the clink! Breaking the law in CA
« Reply #8 on: May 09, 2003, 08:09:31 AM »
You're right, it does belong over there....ABS are bowling shoes aren't they ?!?!

But,...California is a very liberal state, can't argue that one much....and, the group that is making the case if from California....it just figures.....
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Jeff

Jeffrevs

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Re: Time to send ABS execs to the clink! Breaking the law in CA
« Reply #9 on: May 09, 2003, 08:15:49 AM »
adidas-Salomon AG
World of Sports
91074 Herzogenaurach
Germany

AND,
Adidas America Inc, is in Portland, OR


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Jeff

michelle

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Re: Time to send ABS execs to the clink! Breaking the law in CA
« Reply #10 on: May 09, 2003, 08:16:34 AM »
Gee..interesting note...

VIVA= Vegetarians International Voice for Animals

It appears to actually be a British group that also runs a save-the-kangaroo site and makes heavy reference to the use of kangaroo in the manufacture of football (soccer) footwear.  Their list of companies along with Adidas only makes reference to companies producing specifically named football (soccer) shoes.

AdrianS

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Re: Time to send ABS execs to the clink! Breaking the law in CA
« Reply #11 on: May 09, 2003, 08:26:50 AM »
Kangaroo meat tastes very nice too by the way!!! take that California. We've got a few too many so do what you like with the stupid looking things.
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seadrive

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Re: Time to send ABS execs to the clink! Breaking the law in CA
« Reply #12 on: May 09, 2003, 08:26:54 AM »
It appears that the usage of the product is not relevant; it's the sale of the product that is illegal.  Anything sold by Adidas or Dyno-Thane to the public definitely qualifies as a "commercial sale".

To tell you the truth, I've wondered from the first time I heard of these "kangaroo shoes" how long it would take before someone would challenge the ethics of encouraging the killing of kangaroos.  Just because we're all so PC now, not because I abhor the killing of any and all animals.  I like my filet mignon medium rare, thank you.

Some people want to ban sport fishing because a recent study indicates that fish feel pain.  Once we prove that plants feel pain, there won't be anything left to eat other than artificially-produced food.  We'd better hurry up and invent the Star Trek food replicator!

Bjaardker

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Re: Time to send ABS execs to the clink! Breaking the law in CA
« Reply #13 on: May 09, 2003, 08:32:43 AM »
quote:
Kangaroo meat tastes very nice too by the way!!! take that California. We've got a few too many so do what you like with the stupid looking things.


I LOVE kangaroo sausage. VERY tasty.

Steven

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Re: Time to send ABS execs to the clink! Breaking the law in CA
« Reply #14 on: May 09, 2003, 08:34:02 AM »
quote:
LIBERAL WHACKO STATE!! Period, end of discussion!! My God!


 
quote:
But,...California is a very liberal state, can't argue that one much....and, the group that is making the case if from California....it just figures.....


Jeff, I always get a kick out of these stereotypes tacked on to us residents of California. Yes, we have our share of 'liberal whakos' here, but they only seem like the majority because they make the most noise. Conservatives are more comfortable with their existence here, so they are a little more quiet. Remember, California is the home of Ronald Reagan. His presidential library is about 10 minutes from my house, and year after year the place still attracts huge crowds.

Back to this topic. As conservative as I am on most political topics, it's ethically and morally wrong to exploit the skins of endangered animals. We can argue interpretation of law all we want, but the 'smell test' of buying the skins of rare animals that should be left alone still doesn't pass.