beaver fur risks

[minus_273]

Since we had that thread about where beaver fur felt comes from, I've been wondering, are there any risks to wearing fur hats in public.
Granted since most people dont know that it is fur, it really shouldnt be a problem. Of course there is an element that looks for these things. Has anyone here been heckled or had red paint thrown on them by PETA or other hippies?

I have the added bonus of living near Harvard Square and pass through it all the time. Its sort of a hippie Mecca. I'd hate to have my clothes ruined one day on my way to work.

[Aaron Hats]

I don't think you have to worry. As you said, most people don't know it's made of fur. We have a local PETA nutjob that's tried to give us some grief about the Mad Bomber fur hats we sell. If she only knew that at least 50-75% of our inventory has something to do with animals she'd really flip. :p

BTW, that hat looks great on you.

[Victor]

I really don't think so

[Matt Deckard]

I don't think you'll have a problem...

The same people who throw blood on leather shoes will attack your hat.

[fedoralover]

I've only had one comment and I had it coming. A guy I know at work wears a head turbin because of his religious convictions. He was walking in to work the other morning and of course it was raining, I jokingly said "you need to get a turbin with a brim on it and then the rain won't get in your face." He said "well I don't think so, but then it's better than killing an animal to make a hat." So I guess I had that one coming, one good chide deserves another.

fedoralover

[Brad Bowers]

Anybody tries something like that to my hat, and I'm sending as many of them to the hospital as I can. Or the morgue.

Brad

[tonyb]

I can accept that some animal-rights activists are sincere and thoughtful, even if I don't necessary buy into their premise. (I wear leather shoes and jackets and fur felt hats, eat meat, etc., and that isn't likely to change.) And some damage their cause by being shrill and self-righteous and generally coming across in ways that only alienate people. They're like the worst sort of religious zealots. It's that "We're right because we say so and if you don't agree then you are evil" routine that gets on my nerves. It's just so childish, no matter how elderly its exponents and no matter the cause. (Consider some of our more senior religious broadcasters, for instance.) What's most troubling, however, is the notion floated by Peter Singer--the author of "Animal Liberation" and the movement's most-prominent spokesman--that the lives of certain disabled humans are of less value than that of, say, a healthy cocker spaniel.
I don't know what to make of this "hippie" characterization. If by that you mean long-haired males in well-worn blue jeans and such, I can only offer that I know several people who fit the description, and about all that says about them for certain is that they have long hair and wear old blue jeans. (That description fits certain country music luminaries as well--Willie Nelson, for instance, a cultural icon of the first rank, in my book.) I don't know a one who would hurl abuse at you for wearing a leather jacket or a fur-felt hat. Indeed, they may invite you over for a barbeque and ask you where you got that nice hat.

[minus_273]

I can accept that some animal-rights activists are sincere and thoughtful, even if I don't necessary buy into their premise. (I wear leather shoes and jackets and fur felt hats, eat meat, etc., and that isn't likely to change.) And some damage their cause by being shrill and self-righteous and generally coming across in ways that only alienate people. They're like the worst sort of religious zealots. It's that "We're right because we say so and if you don't agree then you are evil" routine that gets on my nerves. It's just so childish, no matter how elderly its exponents and no matter the cause. (Consider some of our more senior religious broadcasters, for instance.) What's most troubling, however, is the notion floated by Peter Singer--the author of "Animal Liberation" and the movement's most-prominent spokesman--that the lives of certain disabled humans are of less value than that of, say, a healthy cocker spaniel.
I don't know what to make of this "hippie" characterization. If by that you mean long-haired males in well-worn blue jeans and such, I can only offer that I know several people who fit the description, and about all that says about them for certain is that they have long hair and wear old blue jeans. (That description fits certain country music luminaries as well--Willie Nelson, for instance, a cultural icon of the first rank, in my book.) I don't know a one who would hurl abuse at you for wearing a leather jacket or a fur-felt hat. Indeed, they may invite you over for a barbeque and ask you where you got that nice hat.


I'm just using the term hippie for lack of a better word. I think you hit the nail on the head when you described the type of people i am thinking of. Looking at the replies, I suspect it might be more of a matter of where you live. I happen to be in Boston where there are a ton of college students who can act irrational and are easily swayed.

Think of a city full of the PETA type that Aaron described above. I've seen people yelled at on the subway because they happened to have a button on that endorsed a party differing from that of the heckler. It is actually kind of amusing seeing a Nader supporter call a green party supporter a "fascist" :-p .

I've never actually seen anyone get red paint thrown on them and for that matter, who carries red paint handy? But we have all heard about it, so is this an urban legend, or does it really happen?

[besdor]

We have had a few problems with people that won't buy a hat from fur felt , only wool . One person returned a hat because she heard that the hat was made from beaver fur. When we told her it was rabbit fur ,she started to cry !
Go figure. :cool2:

[shamus]

I've never heard of those "PETA Hippies" doing that.

Nor are all Hippies are vegans.

But I thought Hippies were from the late 60's? Are there really a bunch of 50 year old guys in tie-dyed shirts sitting around with red paint cans?

[Raindog]

Hippiedom never dies out Shamus. It's just reborn into a new set of flairs.
I doubt if they'd bother chucking paint at you, as they're unlikely to know if it's fur or wool (or even that fur felt is real fur).
Their targets are more blatent I think:)


Jeff.

[tonyb]

We have had a few problems with people that won't buy a hat from fur felt , only wool . One person returned a hat because she heard that the hat was made from beaver fur. When we told her it was rabbit fur ,she started to cry !
Go figure. :cool2:

You bunny snuffer, you! How could you do that to poor Thumper?

[Rigby Reardon]

I've only had one comment and I had it coming. A guy I know at work wears a head turbin because of his religious convictions. He was walking in to work the other morning and of course it was raining, I jokingly said "you need to get a turbin with a brim on it and then the rain won't get in your face." He said "well I don't think so, but then it's better than killing an animal to make a hat." So I guess I had that one coming, one good chide deserves another.

fedoralover
hahaha...thanks for sharing that one. A good reminder to keep our sense of perspective. ;)

minus_273, I think Hemingway_Jones is in your area - I'll PM him see if he's caught this thread yet. ;)

J

[Hemingway Jones]

hahaha...thanks for sharing that one. A good reminder to keep our sense of perspective. ;)

minus_273, I think Hemingway_Jones is in your area - I'll PM him see if he's caught this thread yet. ;)

J
Who me? I was out on Boston Common stomping on bunnies. What were you fellows talking about???

Come on now, half of the granola eaters who are vegans, vegetarians, or Vegemites, or whatever they're calling themselves, are wearing leather shoes or belts, or sitting on leather seats in their cars.

And let me tell you something about pigs and cows; they aren't animals, they are genetically engineered food! You just don't see wild cows wandering around. ;)

In all seriousness, I respect folks who have strong convictions, even if I think their convictions are exceedingly silly; but my respect ends at the point they start pushing their ideas on me.

[The Wingnut]

True. They're not all vegans, and they're not all completely irrational or obnoxious, either. The PETA hippies in my home town wear tie-dye and Uggs, but instead of throwing paint, they threaten to sue, make death threats over the phone, and attempt to slander and defame those they see as 'cruel'...for simply selling merchandise they don't approve of.



I've never heard of those "PETA Hippies" doing that.

Nor are all Hippies are vegans.

But I thought Hippies were from the late 60's? Are there really a bunch of 50 year old guys in tie-dyed shirts sitting around with red paint cans?

[magneto]

Here in San Francisco, PETA regularly holds "demonstrations" (i.e. blocks sidewalk and harangues passers-by) in front of Neiman-Marcus (ritzy store that sells furs, for those not in US). What annoys me is that they drape a nearby tree with vintage fur pieces (fox neck-wraps, etc) covered in red paint. I do avoid that intersection when wearing my (secondhand, vintage, was dead decades ago, thankyou) fur coat. As many people have pointed out, PETA'll attack little fur-wearing ladies, but not burly leather-wearing bikers. Hmmmm..... ;)

[shamus]

Seems all groups with an agenda are doing that these days. The threaten to sue, death threats, (sometimes actual murder is carried out) simply because of something someones doing that they dont' "approve of.

As to PETA hippies wearing Uggs, I'd say no, since Uggs are sheepskin.

[Biltmore Bob]

...kick their ass, regardless of their politics. Touch me or mine and I will kick your ass, but good. Believe me, I know how to kick ass. I learned the hard way...by getting my ass kicked. You can say what you want to me, to a certain extent, and you're OK. Threaten me and you might be OK. But touch me, and it's on like Donkey Kong, friend. Throw some fake blood on me, say your freaking prayers, cuz you gonna die.

So, you might be a hippy pinko fag or a conservative republican hetrosexual, I don't care. You're taking a real real risk with your future when you lay hands on me.

[SHARPETOYS]

Don't hold back Bob!! :) Tell us how you really feel.

[Biltmore Bob]

:cool:

[fedoralover]

Bob, did I see you on that last UFC championship bout? I'm sure this was you.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v683/fedoralover/fight.jpg



fedoralover

[riccardo]

good thread...
I've eat a 3/4 inch height Argentina's steak...it was very good...only 3/4 inch height to respect all hippies or other else..only 2 minutes grilled for each side...very red inside!

Enjoy fur hat and good steak!!
Riccardo.

[John in Covina]

In all seriousness, I respect folks who have strong convictions.

I do to as long as they get the appropriate sentencing.

The blood as stuff is usually resevered for an event hoping to make the news and be on camera. occasionally it is a furrier that they stake out, so the average person is very unlikely to get nailed in this type of situation.

[John in Covina]

If meat is murder what is dairy?

[Biltmore Bob]

I'm just a guy of average height and weight. Average build...not in bad shape physically...but I get mad...real mad. I was a Marine and after that I worked in Corrections and after that I was a Cop. Then I went into Corrections again. So I've had my share of training, and I have also been whooped up on, so I've seen it from both ends.

Legaly, one has the right to defend themself. But that right is slowly being taken away from us. If assaulted and one responds with force, one must be able to articulate the threat. We consider every physical assault to our body to be potentially leathal, and are prepared to articulate that fact. Period.

[Section10]

Fortunately for me I live in the part of the country where if you're not regularly out killing something you're seen as a little bit weird.:)

[riccardo]

If meat is murder what is dairy?
Hey john,
meat is good, but dairy products are colesterol full!!
Meat too??
...yeah...but I prefer it!!:cheers1:
Riccardo.

[Rigby Reardon]

If meat is murder what is dairy?
Hmm...theft? :p

[MrBern]

Funny, I was just telling Feraud that I would have no concern buying Rabbit felt from Akubra. Have you ever seen the footage of some of the plagues of rabbits in Australia? Rabbits introduced by Europeans breed out of control w/ no natural predators. I've seen film of storm fences six feet high holding back a herd of rabbits.
When I was there 12 years ago, read in a local magazine about an inspector who checks outback roads to make sure everything is clear & passable. He was once surrounded by a huge flock of the wild rabbits. He waited about 15 minutes hoping for them to disperse , but finally had to drive on. He related it was like driving over a thousand little speed bumps.

I was told by Australians that they considered the rabbits to be vermin. I never even noticed rabbit on any menus, tho I have seen it here in NYC.

I did see kangaroo on some menus, which was controversial since its there national symbol.

[Kaleponi Craig]

But I thought Hippies were from the late 60's? Are there really a bunch of 50 year old guys in tie-dyed shirts sitting around with red paint cans?

Come on over to Berkeley, CA, they're all there (well, they all don't have paint cans)...KC

[shamus]

now why would I want to do that if all those hippies are going to throw red paint at my hat?

[Bebop]

I really can't see anything like that happening unless you are one of very few that are wearing beaver, leather or some other animal. Here in San Francisco, I can't imagine anyone from these organizations wasting their time messing with anyone with a leather jacket or beaver hat. There are way too many of us that wear animal hide. They are outnumbered even in this city. Besides, they are too busy releasing the mice and rats from the university only so they can get caught in the traps that have been set out for their wild relatives. I wouldn't worry about it even here in one of the most left wing, liberal, veganistic (is that a word?) cities in the world.

[Andykev]

Anybody tries something like that to my hat, and I'm sending as many of them to the hospital as I can. Or the morgue.

Brad

Sometimes we feel strongly about those who violate our rights, impose their beliefs on us, and call us names for eating meat, wearing fur, driving large cars, and other "non enviro p.c." stuff.

Still, don't send anyone to the morgue. You aren't allowed to wear a fedora in prison.:p

[Lincsong]

These PETA nuts were all the crazies in school who complained that they got nailed in dodge ball, flicked spit wads in class, and were always thrown food at in the cafeteria. They have never grown up, never obtained any social skills and basically need to get therapy.:cheers1: If one comes after me, they better pack a lunch because it's going to be a long day.:hamburger

[Andykev]

Fortunately for me I live in the part of the country where if you're not regularly out killing something you're seen as a little bit weird.:)

So alter your avitar and profile and narrow down where you are instead of just USA.....you in the "red neck" part of Texas or sumpthin?:cheers1:

[Andykev]

These PETA nuts were all the crazies in school who complained that they got nailed in dodge ball, flicked spit wads in class, and were always thrown food at in the cafeteria. They have never grown up, never obtained any social skills and basically need to get therapy.:cheers1: If one comes after me, they better pack a lunch because it's going to be a long day.:hamburger

It is because our government and society allow "professional, perpetual students" to exist. They get grant after grant, public aid, subsidy. You wonder, what do they do to pay their bills, mortgage and the like? They have nothing but free time on thier hands to go throw red paint on women who happen to wear fake fur coats. I don't advocate mercy to that idot who was caught on film at the car wash in I think San Jose, running over the baby and mother ducks. That is downright sick. But taking game, deer, rabbit, duck, that is akin to fishing. Do they go throw sand at fishermen? NO. So, we got way off topic for the HATS...this should go to the Observation bar.

Final comments Loungers?

[Rigby Reardon]

Final comments Loungers?
Yeah, I'd never wear a duck hat. That's just sick. Someone throw a rubber duck at me if I do. :p

Okay, now I'm finished. :rolleyes:

[The Wingnut]

It's great to see people taking a 'no B.S.' approach to this. On the other hand, considering we haven't had anyone pop up and say, 'I had it happen! My hat was ruined and I couldn't do anything about it!', it's probably not worth even worrying about.

PETA and the like are the least of everyone's worries. The more we concern ourselves with them, the more power they have. If we ignore them and brush 'em off, they'll never get traction.

Wear your hat, worry about pigeons and gulls...forget about PETA.

[Biltmore Bob]

Redneck part of Texas? That's where I live and I've never met Section 10...

Did'nt those Peta communists splas some models with red paint a few years ago? I guess It could happen, probably not likely like other have said. But remember defending yourself is not a crime.

[Harry Lime]

I honestly don't think the majority of non-hat lovers realize fedoras are made of fur. I think they think they are felt, which they aren't sure of what felt even is, or wool/cloth. So...I don't think anyone has too much to worry about.

Harry Lime

[TOM BLAINE]

Nice lid. Did you get that locally? I live on Boston's South Shore and would love to find a good local hatter. Any ideas?

[Aaron Hats]

Head north young man.

[jake_fink]

If meat is murder what is dairy?


2nd base?

[Rigby Reardon]

2nd base?
:p ;)

[gdkenoyer]

But I thought Hippies were from the late 60's? Are there really a bunch of 50 year old guys in tie-dyed shirts sitting around with red paint cans?
Having lived thru the 60's and 70's the real question would be: do they have adequate remaining brain cells to press the spray button? (think of Ozzie -- not a hippie, but a product of the 60's.)

However, the true hippies did not try to violently impose thier life styles on others: spraying someone's clothing with paint is pretty inconsistent with "Peace and love, brother".

[gdkenoyer]

I honestly don't think the majority of non-hat lovers realize fedoras are made of fur.

And quite likely, many of those who do realize (or have the skills to read) will assume that the fur is harvested w/o harm to the animal...which is sorta how the original string got started!

[gdkenoyer]

These PETA nuts were all the crazies in school who complained that they got nailed in dodge ball, flicked spit wads in class, and were always thrown food at in the cafeteria. They have never grown up, never obtained any social skills and basically need to get therapy.:cheers1:

Hey! I am not a member of PETA!! ;)

[Raindog]

Hey Lincsong, you've just described my schooldays.....
I agree that these PETA folk aren't hippies. They're just like any fundamentalist....Potentially dangerous, most likely misguided, certainly too focussed on their own aims and not to humanistic thoughts....
Hippies are exactly the opposite....


Jeff.

[Lincsong]

Hey Lincsong, you've just described my schooldays.....
I agree that these PETA folk aren't hippies. They're just like any fundamentalist....Potentially dangerous, most likely misguided, certainly too focussed on their own aims and not to humanistic thoughts....
Hippies are exactly the opposite....


Jeff.
The guy getting pelted with spit wads, rotting pieces of meat and rubber balls or the guy throwing said objects?:) :)

[minus_273]

Nice lid. Did you get that locally? I live on Boston's South Shore and would love to find a good local hatter. Any ideas?


check out the thread for the question i posted last week.

advice for newbie in boston:
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=5990

[Raindog]

Well Lincsong, getting pelted! Mind you it was only one person doing the pelting, and he lived to regret it :)



Jeff.