Personally I think it's awesome. Imagine if everyone had a Tiger in their homes. I bet home invasions would drop. I'd want a clouded or a snow leopard.
I think we should be able to own pretty much anything we want to, we just need to be able to be held responsible for any short comings that may arise.
If you can provide a nurturing, safe and healthy life for an animal why not be able to have it?
*edit
Some things just do not do well or don't thrive in captivity, such as primates. No one should own one as far as I am concerned.