11/04/05 Expensive hats

Expensive Hats Fuel prices have gone through the roof, but that's not the worst of it. I'm Jeff Keane; I'll be back right after this to explain. While high fuel prices are on every driver's mind, I read an article the other day that sent cold chills up my spine. This depressing report revealed the fact cowboy hat prices are set to higher and higher while the quality of some hats will be lower. High fuel prices are one thing, but not hats! This has got to end! The highest quality hats are made from beaver fur, and there lies problems one and two. The beaver pelts are reportedly not as full as they once were and the best of these pelts are bought by Russia and China. Some good quality hats can be made from a mixture of beaver and rabbit fur, but this gives us problems three and four. Most of the rabbit fur comes from Europe, but the U.S. dollar is weaker against the euro and the rabbit fur is from younger animals not older ones with stronger fur fibers. Problem number fivemost rabbit fur now comes from white rabbits and this fur isn't as thick or strong as colored rabbits grow. China comes in again as problem number six since this fur-hungry nation buys most of the higher quality colored rabbit fur. Where will it all end? I know now I'll have to protect my good hat at all costs, wear my straw hat until snow flies, and buy more high-priced fuel and fertilizer so the dealers will hand over more baseball caps. I'm Jeff Keane. Capital Press 10/21/05