Kangaroo Soccer Shoes: Score?

[3113]

This is probably no big deal to the Aussies, or likely other countries where Soccer is the top sport--and I've no idea if it's even an issue in other states, but I'm curious what U.S. folk think about this (note that this article is an Adidas issue about legalizing such shoes in California only)...

Senate OKs imports of kangaroo skin

SACRAMENTO — After years of assertive lobbying by Adidas, the California Senate voted Tuesday to legalize the import and sale of kangaroo skins so that soccer players can buy shoes made from the marsupials' coveted leather.

While the kangaroo bill advanced, the Assembly refused to ban certain plastics used in children's products, but agreed to require bullets to carry identification numbers to help police trace them back to their guns.

The Senate kangaroo bill, which has pitted the Los Angeles Galaxy and CD Chivas USA soccer teams and sporting goods stores against animal rights activists, would ease California's 37-year import ban on kangaroo products.

The bill passed in the Senate — after four years of failed efforts — would allow a kangaroo product to be imported and sold in California if the species is not otherwise protected by laws here and abroad.

Of the 55 species of kangaroos in Australia, six are commercially harvested and exported, and would be allowed if the bill is approved by the Assembly and signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Those species include red and eastern and western gray kangaroos.

Animal activists are fighting the proposal, which they say will lead to the deaths of endangered kangaroos because hunting is done at night and the species are difficult to differentiate. They also object to the rules of kangaroo hunting, which dictate that if a mother is killed the baby must be killed as well. Lauren Ornelas, an activist with Davis, Calif.-based Viva USA, said Adidas "is relentless in pushing to get this bill through."

Malcolm Turnbull, a representative of the Australian government, told the Senate that such a change in California law would not lead to the deaths of any endangered kangaroo species and that different species are "readily distinguishable."

Since 2003, the first year the bill was introduced, Adidas America has spent $435,693 lobbying the Legislature, state filings show. The company is also fighting a legal challenge from Viva USA that alleges it is violating California's law by using kangaroo skins in its high-end cleats. The company denies the charge and has won initial court rulings; an appeal is pending before the California Supreme Court.

Adidas said in a statement that it was confident California's highest court would rule that the state's endangered species law is unenforceable because it conflicts with federal law....

Soccer players crave kangaroo leather for its light weight, and both professional teams and amateur leagues have expressed support for the bill. In written testimony, Alexi Lalas, president of the Los Angeles Galaxy, said that California's law has put his team at a competitive disadvantage with the rest of Major League Soccer.

"Because my team represents California in a highly competitive sport, I believe that the full array of soccer products should be locally accessible to and be available for purchase by our players here in California," Lalas wrote to the Senate last month. "It is unfair to have these products freely available for commercial purchase in all of the other 49 states and not here."

In the current pro soccer season, which began in April, the Galaxy has won one game, lost three and tied twice, placing it in fifth place out of six in its division. Chivas, also based in Los Angeles, is in third place with a 3-3-2 record.

So whadda think? http://www.ganjoo.com/sfzoo/kangaroo.jpg Roo or no Roo?

 

[Roxanne Appleby]

Roo, cow, mink, whatever, it's all dead meat. Maybe it'll put some extra hop into the players.

 

[jomar]

What Roxanne said. I heard the totally cute and charming things are like deer and need to be thinned. My son loves his Copa's, Vapor's and Legend's...and I loved mine back in the day. So, medium or medium rare?

 

[R. Richard]

If you have ever worn kangaroo leather football shoes [either American football or soccer football,] you will never settle willingly for less. The kangaroo leather is thin and hence light weight. It is also very tough and does not tear as easily as many other leathers. Finally, kangaroo leather molds to the foot over time and gives the wearer good feedback from the playing surface.

 

[starrkers]

They're getting culled. You might as well make good use of the leather.

 

[oggbashan]

And they add bounce to your stride...

Og

 

[Chantilyvamp]

Why not...though i didnt actually know until I read this there was a ban on kangaroo products in any of the states. I'm afraid I think on the same line as some of the others...its just like a cow. They eat it, they use the leather and there are to many. Its the same as some cultures eat horse. *shrugs*

My husband and child both have umm...kangaroo pouches to carry change in...alright its the scrotum. Now mind you the 2 year old just thinks its her coin bag no reason to have her screaming scrotum all over town.

As it is the husband does a random joke on people asking them if they want to touch his scrotum pouch

 

[R. Richard]

And they add bounce to your stride...

Og

Yes, but they make some people jumpy!

 

[Stella_Omega]

I knew a man who braided whips. he imported kanagaroo for those-- (he didn't live in CA though) From him, I know that horsehide makes a very tough, lightweight leather as well, Most high-end sports sneakers that are made in China, are made from horse leather.

Do you think the general public would be upset to know about this?

 

[Lauren Hynde]

I hear LA Galaxy hired David Beckham and Abel Xavier for next season, so they'll need all the help they can get.

 

[ishtat]

There are about 40 million Red and Grey(the big ones) Roos in OZ. You could probably satisfy the shoe demand ten times over with road kill alone.

Roo steaks are ok they taste similar to venison.

 

[Roxanne Appleby]

There are about 40 million Red and Grey(the big ones) Roos in OZ. You could probably satisfy the shoe demand ten times over with road kill alone.

Roo steaks are ok they taste similar to venison.

Not like chicken?

 

[3113]

Not like chicken?

Which apparently tastes like T-Rex

 

[SeaCat]

Hmmmmmm, never tried 'Roo. I wonder if my local grocery store would import me some if I asked.

Cat

 

[Stella_Omega]

Which apparently tastes like T-Rex

I've seen the big skeleton at the Field Museum-- Sue looks like an enormous turkey. With teeth. Unbelievably sharp teeth...