would have been the perfect gift

MONTPELIER, Vt. - After weeks of protests from advocates for the mentally ill, Vermont Teddy Bear Co. has agreed to stop producing and marketing a "Crazy For You" bear that comes with a straitjacket and commitment papers, advocacy groups said Thursday.

Company spokeswoman Nicole L'Huillier said the statement issued by the groups was "a little bit inaccurate," but would not immediately elaborate.

The $69.95 bear no longer appeared on the company's Web site Thursday.

 

The Vermont chapter of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill and three other groups said their representatives met with company president and chief executive Elisabeth Robert on Tuesday.

"We praise Ms. Robert and Vermont Teddy Bear Company for its resulting decision ... to take the courageous step of responding by ceasing all future production and marketing of the 'Crazy Bear' product," the groups said.

The Valentine's Day bear was criticized as insensitive by mental health advocates and Republican Gov. James Douglas.

As recently as last week, Robert extended her apologies to anyone offended by the bear, but said it would not be taken off the market. "We're not in a position to be told what we can and cannot sell," she said.

The company has said that its plan was to market the product through Valentine's Day, and then discontinue it.

In their statement, the mental health groups said they hoped the story would have a happy ending.

"The public dialogue that emerged across the country as a result of this controversy has produced significant benefits by identifying and underscoring the ongoing importance of addressing the stigma and stereotypes still associated with mental illness," they said.

P.S. I already checked, those scary eBay types want $300-400 or more.