Well, I've posted it here often enough, I don't have to tell you I'm in
agreement about some arrogant pilots. If we don't learn how to integrate
better into communities, some hard-headed zealots are in for a rude
awakening as to what their "rights" really are.

Nevertheless, GA is a large and vital industry, full of dedicated people
who have to be goal-oriented to have made it there in the first place. And
it's an industry surrounded by misunderstanding and threatened, sometimes
even scapegoated by special interests, so it's really to the credit of
pilots to have organized to defend something that really needs defending.

I don't think the threat to GA really comes from the Federal government,
because so many legislators are involved one way or another, or have been
exposed to both sides of the equation, and understand the importance of
GA's role in our economy. Many citizens' groups however, in self-serving
endeavors can do great harm, and cheap-thrill journalismis a persistent
threat, filled as it is with air-heads who could not understand anything
about aviation if they tried - and they don't.

So, I agree about a few self-serving pilots, who don't want to know that
some social conditions are changing - but overall, this great industry and
activity is worth preserving and promoting, and needs defending - and
pilots have no greater tool than their substantial numbers and the lobbying
strength these represent to do so. All lobbying efforts require some
simplifications and politically expedient arguments to be effective. That's
how the game is played, and AOPA, overall, isn't doing such a bad job of it
- in my opinion.

G Faris