Counterfeit Handbags And Terrorism

In most major cities in the world, there is an active and highly profitable shadow economy in phony consumer goods that generates (in estimates) upwards of 500 billion dolalrs a year. If have ever been down to "Counterfeit Alley" in midtown Manhattan, you have seen one of the biggest counterfeit marektplaces in the world. While many of us spend our waking hours lusting after the latest fashion designs from our favorite designers, there are a lot of human being out there who purchase knock-off or phony items without fully appreciating the consequences. I last month read a book called "Knockoff", written by a fellow named Tim Phillips.
It was an insightful read, with a number of interesting and often disturbing ideas presented.
I was particularly interested in the section he devtoed to the trade in phony luxury items such as designer handbags.
These days, it seems I can't go anywhere without seeing somebody carrying a fake Prada or Gucci purse. Personally, I have always resisted the urge to pucrhase a counterfeit purse. I have avoided the temptation mainly because such an action only undermines an industry I have grown to love.
When one considers the price of of the higher-end purses, it should come as no surprise that human being purchase fakes.
What will surpirse you is the discovery that their money is supporting future terrorist attacks in America and abroad. This book has confirmed my belief in supporitng legitimate companies. Have you ever stopped to consider where the money you spend on fake cnosumer products ends up?