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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>>></span></font><font size=2
color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;
color:#1F497D'>I would be happy to see political/moral/ethical discussion
end. I don’t believe anyone is arguing that turning over a
1920’s Steinway with ivory key covers is immoral. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Seems to me that was exactly what they
were arguing. It is certainly the underlying premise of the law. All law
dictates morality: This behavior is okay, that is bad. Therefore if you attempt
to outlaw the sale of a 1920 Steinway with ivory, you are declaring that
behavior to be immoral.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>While it is certainly true that lots of
elephants got poached and lots of people were exploited and suffered in the ivory
trade, that isn’t exclusively the case. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>And, yes, it’s true, I am a
hypocrite. Mea culpa.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><b><font size=5 color=navy face="Lucida Calligraphy"><span
style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Lucida Calligraphy";color:navy;font-weight:
bold'>Dean</span></font></b><b><font size=5 color=navy face="CAC Leslie"><span
style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"CAC Leslie";color:navy;font-weight:bold'><o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=2 color=navy face=AGaramond><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:AGaramond;color:navy'>Dean W
May
(812) 235-5272 voice and text</span></font><font color=navy><span
style='color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=2 color=navy face=AGaramond><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:AGaramond;color:navy'>PianoRebuilders.com
(888) DEAN-MAY </span></font><font
color=navy><span style='color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><ST1:PLACE u1:st="on"><ST1:PLACE u2:st="on"><font size=2
face=AGaramond><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:AGaramond'><U2:CITY u1:st="on"><ns0:City
w:insAuthor="Dean May" w:insDate="2012-05-09T04:37:00Z" w:endInsAuthor="Dean May"
w:endInsDate="2012-05-09T04:37:00Z"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><font
color=navy><span style='color:navy'>Terre Haute</span></font></st1:City></st1:place></ns0:City></U2:CITY><font
color=navy><span style='color:navy'> </span></font><ns0:State
w:insAuthor="Dean May" w:insDate="2012-05-09T04:37:00Z" w:endInsAuthor="Dean May"
w:endInsDate="2012-05-09T04:37:00Z"><U2:STATE u1:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on"><font
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w:insAuthor="Dean May" w:insDate="2012-05-09T04:37:00Z" w:endInsAuthor="Dean May"
w:endInsDate="2012-05-09T04:37:00Z"><U2:POSTALCODE u1:st="on"><st1:PostalCode
w:st="on"><font color=navy><span style='color:navy'>47802</span></font></st1:PostalCode><font
color=navy><span style='color:navy'>
Give us a LIKE on Facebook! <a
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<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>
pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>David Love<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Wednesday, May 09, 2012 1:51
AM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> pianotech@ptg.org<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> Re: [pianotech] Ivory
Laws</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>I think the whole
thing has gotten off topic and turning into something quite different than it
started out. In its original form it certainly was an appropriate
topic for the list. It wasn’t originally discussion on
whether one should or should not harvest ivory. I think most people
agree on that issue. The issues being discussed were 1.) whether there is
any legal exposure in selling a vintage piano that already has ivory key covers
and 2.) if there is should one be considering taking ivory off of a vintage
piano before selling it. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>The answer so far is
vague. While it does appear that there are laws on the books prohibiting
sales of ivory in any form, there are many ivory “suppliers” who
sell pre-banned ivory ,and many items, such as pianos, that contain
ivory. The state regulators (at least in <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">California</st1:place></st1:State>, though this is a federal law)
suggest that the it is more a matter of enforcement than a clear definition of
the law. I’ve contacted various people involved in this part of the
trade who claim that they are legally allowed to sell the products that they
have. I don’t doubt them since they are people who have been in the
business for some time and seem to have researched this quite well. There
seems to be a difference in the law as characterized by import versus
possession. I’ve note been able to come up with a definitive
conclusion about what should or shouldn’t be done and since I don’t
sell that many pianos it doesn’t really impact me that much. But
because Fish and Game has conducted a few raids on sellers of ivory artifacts
it’s worth considering. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>I would be happy to
see political/moral/ethical discussion end. I don’t believe anyone
is arguing that turning over a 1920’s Steinway with ivory key covers is
immoral. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>David Love<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>www.davidlovepianos.com<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>
pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>Noah Frere<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Tuesday, May 08, 2012 10:07
PM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> pianotech@ptg.org<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> Re: [pianotech] Ivory
Laws<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>I'm not sure where to
draw the line with appropriate conversation on the tech-list. Is materials fair
game? (no pun intended). I know ethics are part of our codes. So the ethics of
piano materials seems like a fairly important subject. However, again, I'm not
sure this is the place for it or not. If not here, what list? Is there an
ethics email list?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>On Tue, May 8, 2012 at 9:58 PM, Dean May <<a
href="mailto:deanmay@pianorebuilders.com" target="_blank">deanmay@pianorebuilders.com</a>>
wrote:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>This is really political and heavily one sided. It is only beautifully
put<br>
if you agree with the faulty premises, which some on this list to not. Most<br>
of the same arguments could be made against eating meat. Can we lay it to<br>
rest now?<br>
<br>
Dean<br>
<br>
Dean W May <a href="tel:%28812%29%20235-5272">(812) 235-5272</a> voice and text<br>
<br>
PianoRebuilders.com (888) DEAN-MAY<br>
<br>
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Terre Haute</st1:City> <st1:State
w:st="on">IN</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">47802</st1:PostalCode></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><br>
<br>
-----Original Message-----<br>
From: <a href="mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org">pianotech-bounces@ptg.org</a>
[mailto:<a href="mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org">pianotech-bounces@ptg.org</a>]
On Behalf<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Of Joseph Giandalone<br>
Sent: Tuesday, May 08, 2012 9:46 PM<br>
To: <a href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</a><br>
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Ivory Laws<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Mark,<br>
<br>
You put this beautifully, and I couldn't agree with you more completely !<br>
<br>
It always was, at all times in History, WRONG to slaughter these creatures<br>
so that their two front teeth could contribute to minor amusements for<br>
humans. And this is the kind of hubris and arrogance that is destroying our<br>
planet. Ivory is a fetish, and I've called it so in the past (and been<br>
roundly ridiculed in this forum for advocating the "waste" of what
ivory has<br>
already been "harvested" - and for ignoring the wonderful laws that
provide<br>
for the sale of confiscated poached ivory and use the proceeds to extend<br>
protections against such poaching. HAH.)<br>
<br>
The consistent way to advocate for protection of the source animals from<br>
poaching is to reject the fatuous idea that Real Ivory makes a piano in any<br>
way more desirable as an instrument. Or that the Ivory Trade was EVER<br>
anything but a brutish, disgraceful exercise for all concerned in every<br>
segment of it. Seriously: do some reading up on it if you dare; it was, in<br>
its heyday, a massive disgrace to the human race.<br>
<br>
Nobody ever asked the elephants if it was OK with them to take their 2 front<br>
teeth and brutally murder them in the bargain. Remember folks: these are<br>
among the most intelligent animals on earth; they are very family-oriented,<br>
and they mourn their dead. I'd like to say to some of the folks on the<br>
"other side" of this issue: a leather-crafting friend of mine tells
me that<br>
the human scrotum makes a very fine wallet . . . any of you gents mind if we<br>
help ourselves to a little raw material ??<br>
<br>
Joseph Giandalone<br>
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Conway</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">MA</st1:State></st1:place><br>
<br>
<br>
On May 4, 2012, at 12:17 PM, Mark Dierauf wrote:<br>
<br>
> Paul -<br>
><br>
> Of course I realize that you are not advocating the slaughter of elephants<br>
to provide new material for covering piano keys (or any other reason). But<br>
we as piano techs often (virtually always, in my experience) praise this<br>
material for various reasons, and that is the problem. As long as ivory is<br>
prized for whatever reason there will be a market for it and these animals<br>
will be pushed ever closer to extinction. You say near the end of your post<br>
that we should not do anything that encourages the killing of elephants. I<br>
believe that whenever we talk about "a beautiful set of ivories" we
are<br>
doing just that, even though that is certainly not our intention. Like it or<br>
not, we are part of the problem.<br>
><br>
> I used to think that confiscated poached ivory could be sold and the<br>
proceeds used to fund anti-poaching efforts. That was tried, and it only<br>
served to further increase the value of tusks in a part of the world where<br>
money is scarce and life is cheap. More and more I think that it all belongs<br>
in museums only, and that we as a society can either choose to be<br>
inconvenienced by regulation or watch passively as these (and other) animals<br>
disappear forever. Before you (not you specifically, Paul, but anyone<br>
reading this) take issue with my use of the word "inconvenienced" in<br>
speaking of regulations that can often seem heavy-handed, I would refer you<br>
back to my original post - "Tell that to the elephants".<br>
><br>
> Respectfully,<br>
><br>
> - Mark<br>
><br>
> On 5/4/2012 8:32 AM, paul bruesch wrote:<br>
>> Whoa. That photo is repulsive and uncalled for. I am absolutely NOT<br>
suggesting that we should continue to "produce" new ivory. This
thread is<br>
about selling a piano with key covers made from animals that have long since<br>
been "harvested". The gist of it is that no one who owns a piano in<br>
<st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">California</st1:place></st1:State>
can sell it if it happens to have ivory key covers. Instead, they<br>
need to have those ivory covers removed and replaced with plastic. Do you<br>
know what plastic production looks like? Ulimately, it may not be quite as<br>
hideous as your graphic photo of the slaughtered elephant, but it ain't<br>
pretty either. Who gains anything besides the technician recovering the<br>
keys?<br>
>><br>
>> I completely agree with the current US ban. We absolutely should not
do<br>
anything that encourages further killing of these enormous, beautiful<br>
beasts.<br>
>><br>
>> I think this post should remove any doubt as to my viewpoint in this<br>
matter. I will not respond to it any more.<br>
>><br>
>> Note that the use of double-quotes in the first paragraph is to denote<br>
the use of popular euphemisms typically used to soften the tone of this sort<br>
of practice.<br>
>><br>
>> Paul Bruesch<br>
>> <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Stillwater</st1:City>, <st1:State
w:st="on">MN</st1:State></st1:place><br>
><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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