Fur still flying

I agree with both letters against fur [Dec. 9], but must add a few other points. This debate must not be closed just as we are entering winter.

The resurgence in the popularity of fur can largely be linked to the millions of dollars spent by the fur industry in marketing and advertising. The fur trade, in decline for three decades, has been glamorized in the last five years by Hollywood movies, TV shows, celebrities and supermodels. Models such as Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss and Cindy Crawford have all turned their backs on animal rights and have begun to endorse fur and market fur coats.

Cindy Crawford in particular is very disturbing to people sympathetic to animal rights because 10 years ago, she was a spokesperson for PETA's anti-fur campaign with her slogan, "I'd rather go naked than wear fur." Recently, Crawford became a spokesperson for fur giant Blackglama. This flip-flop deserves to be strongly criticized in the media.

With enough seductive advertising, you could convince many people that night is day. The reality is that it takes the barbaric murder of 50 chinchillas or other furry animals, on average, to produce a full-length coat. Cruelty-free fur is as rare as snow in Miami. Except for the indigenous people in the north who rely on fur trapping for subsistence, there is little excuse for most others to wear fur. What a pity it is that in 2004, most of the media still adopt a caveman-like mentality when it comes to animal rights!

» Manish Patwari

In your Dec. 9 edition, in response to a letter I had written the week before, you published a letter from an animal activist who was thrilled to ‘‘out" my role as a member of the Fur Council of Canada team. He knew me because, as he himself points out, we believe it is important to respond to all enquiries, even from activists who clearly have ideological axes to grind.

Since we're getting personal, let me say that I am proud to try to correct the many misconceptions that animal activists have promoted about the Canadian fur trade. At a time when we worry about protecting nature, people have a right to know that this is a well-regulated and environmentally responsible industry. Fur is a natural, renewable, recyclable and biodegradable product. No endangered species are ever used. When you wear fur, you can also feel good knowing that you are supporting aboriginal and other people who live close to the land.

Yes, fur comes from animals. So does hamburger, leather, wool, shearling and many other products that most of us use daily. Of course, animal activists now also protest eating meat or drinking milk. PETA founder Ingrid Newkirk has said that using even a single rat for medical research is unethical, even if it produces a cure for AIDS or cancer.

Luckily, most people don't buy this extremist doctrine. What is important to most of us who do eat meat and wear leather is to understand that Canada is a world leader in humane trapping research and fur-farming standards. And remember: If we don't use part of the surplus that nature produces, we will use other products (eg. petrochemical synthetics?) that are not renewable and may cause more damage to nature. (Remember the Exxon Valdez!) That's why the World Wildlife Fund and every other major environmental protection group now promotes the "sustainable use" of wildlife.

Like the 95 per cent of us who eat meat, wear leather and appreciate the vital importance of medical research, I am deeply disturbed that your other letter writer could ask, ‘‘Why is it legal to kill animals but not human beings?'' This is the bizarre, anti-human mentality promoted by the extreme "animal rights" philosophy.

Finally, sorry to disturb the writer's classist prejudices, but I don't wear suits. Jeans and T-shirts are more my style. (Of course, the cool new furs being produced by young Canadian designers are just fine with jeans!)

If you want to learn more about the fur trade, please check out: www.furcouncil.com

» JH Filion

Anyone for poker?

Since the suspension of the NHL season, sports networks are filling their hockey programming with live poker events. This has propelled hold 'em poker into the realm of sport. And I have been riding the wave ever since. As an accomplished tournament poker player, I have been able to profit from these new players just begging to give their money away.

Now, on to the important topic. I really think the Mirror needs to take a look at poker's growth and include a weekly poker advice column. It's no secret most Mirror readers are students and young professionals. This is also the same crowd who are picking up poker as a hobby.

What I am offering is my poker skills to the Mirror. I want to be your poker writer, and what I can offer is bigger than me; it's a whole underground poker culture that's breaking through into the mainstream. The Mirror has been the pulse in Montreal for well over a decade. Please don't miss this chance to be the first place with a weekly poker column.

» Sam

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