I'm for no politics with our group.


My experience, even in soaring, is that "politics" is not something
you can "avoid." Who's been in a club that remained perfectly
peaceful for more than say, 10 minutes?

There is good politics and there is bad politics...good politics is
how compromise is achieved. Everything else is "bad" politics,
usually where there is a self-serving drive (on the left or the
right...listed here alphabetically, with no "political
persuasion")...and can usually be spotted when compromise is not
possible. My philosophy on politics has changed over the years. I
was an idealistic engineer who thought he could avoid politics
altogether. Avoiding politics doesn't get you out of politics...you
just turn yourself into an "innocent bystander," a "pawn in the game,"
if you will.

I believe pilots are generally somewhat conservative: they look at
high risk endeavors (like soaring) and weigh the risks, try to
mitigate them, and accept risks that can be managed...but shy away
from excessive risk. Pilots who fail to shy away from excessive risk
generally wind up as candidates for the Darwin Awards...but that might
be off topic, as well. I know (and have known) pilots of both
"persuasions" ... there are some I will not fly with (and probably a
few who won't fly with me!).

I can identify with the person who started this thread: Because of
the "financial crisis" I can't afford to pay for as many tows in 2009
(or will chose not to "invest" in those tows, and instead stuff money
in a mattress -- aka my children's college fund). Some of us chose to
buy 1-26's instead of those coveted ASH-26E's, thinking
(conservatively?) that we could not afford the more (?) desirable
"toy," and have chosen to live within our means. Whether you are of a
left or right political persuasion, there's little point in arguing
that people buying things they really could not afford (including
ponzi scheme investments) is at the root of the financial mess we're
left with today. Those that argue the true cause is greed are totally
correct: it is almost as "greedy" to buy a home you know you cannot
afford as it is to try and sell somebody a home they cannot afford.
Strike "home" and insert "glider" if you wish... Teaching somebody
how to mend a bad credit rating or how to enhance their ability to
earn an income is a much better service than helping somebody buy a
house they will only be able to afford in a "good economy." I
refinanced twice (contributing to the mortgage sellers each time) to
get a low, long term fixed loan for the roof over my head and housing
my glider. Keeping the roof over my head is more important than
investing in tows, or having a Beamer to tool around town in.

My hope is that we'll have "good" politics in the next few years, and
rather than trying to "minimize the pain," our "leaders" try to allow
necessary pain, so those who need to will learn from this (I sure
have), and avoid repeating this. And hopefully those who have been
responsible will not have to pay too much for the actions of those who
have not been responsible.

To the person that said "when I'm coring a 500 fpm thermal, I know I
am THERE" I say amen, and hope more pilots get to have that pleasure.
"Good" politics helps us advance our art, sport and science of
aviation. ANYbody who has dealt with the FAA knows that there are
political forces that cannot be ignored -- some for good reasons, some
for bad reasons.

Thank you to all those who have contributed, even those that think
there should be no contribution to this thread.

-Pete
(flame proof suit has been put on, so have at it -- I plan not to
argue with anybody)