[CAUT] New Ivory ethical questions

[Richard Brekne]

Hi Wim

Not wanting to start any political discussion, I would like to point out 
there is an awfull lot of this kind of stuff going on in the world right 
now that we in the western rich countries simply do not want to know 
about, refuse to do anything about, ignore, look past....etc etc ad 
absurdum all so that we can live our comfy little lives as we do.  You 
really want an eye opener then start looking very closely at who makes 
the cloths you wear, or the tools you buy, or the toys you give your 
kids... and under what circumstances they are produced.  All too 
often... all too often the truth behind is anything but pretty.  No 
small wonder there are soscialists in this world... not that they have 
the answer either mind you. No small wonder there are so many other anti 
west movements out there either.

I read in the paper the other day how so many Americans this year seem 
ready to turn their backs on the usual Christmas orgie of buying all 
maner of expensive gifts that end up sitting on someones shelf and 
instead opting for family gatherings without presents, for togetherness 
with those they are closest too. If so.... I wish it would wash over 
Europe as well... along with an increased awareness of what the price of 
our affluency really is.

Piano related ???.... well... perhaps not as much as it should be.. but yes.

Cheers
RicB


Wimblees@aol.com wrote:

> In a message dated 12/11/2004 10:25:34 A.M. Central Standard Time, 
> Erwinspiano@aol.com writes:
>
>     Speaking of ethical questions If you think the price was high for
>     the Poor Elephants. I've heard the death toll to the indigenous
>     tribes who were kidnapped to haul it out to the coast was about 6
>     people per LB or several people per keyboard or some such. Very
>     gruesome. It was a barbarous business. There is a book out that
>     document this & the name of it escapes me right now but I was
>     shocked. Makes one  think!
>
> There was an article in the Journal about this back in the late 80's, 
> and someone gave a class on ivories at the convention in 1987 in St. 
> Louis.
>  
> You're right, it was a gruesome event. One curious thing I 
> remember. The action maker Pratt Reed started out as in the 
> ivory business back in the 1700 and 1800's, making combs, and such. 
> They got their ivory after the slaves were dropped off in the south. 
> But what was ironic is that either Mr. Pratt or Mr. Reed was an 
> abolitionist.  
>  
> Wim
> Willem Blees, RPT
> Piano Technician
> School of Music
> University of Alabama