My bet is that everyone agrees with that first statement.

As you say in the next statement it is unfortunately true however that is the problem in itself. Somewhere there has to be a learning of responsibility and self discipline. I don't care to "cater" to them as much as teach them the better way to approach the hobby-sport. In my personal case, I don't want the unlearned show-offs on my field with a missile under their command, and that command not being overly stable.

Overall, George Meyers' article is one very good historical review, although a significant amount of important detail is not there. An example is the paragraph concerning Billy Mitchell, GM could have mentioned the court-martial of Mitchell by those too ignorant, too satisfied in their own small world, and too arrogant, pompous, and without vision for that which is unpopular.

GM does illustrate something that, IMO, is of the utmost importance and has real merit.

>>>>>>>>>>>>&g t; George Meyers: (Emphasis added)
Model aviators, as a class of people, must become better organized to survive. AMA must learn how to organize effectively and must teach organization to our members. AMA must learn to make better use of the talents in our Chartered clubs. The need has always existed, but seldom satisfied.

Flying sites are disappearing. Lose the Flying Sites and you lose the hobby. AMA must take an active part in Flying Site acquisition and protection. My crystal ball says that model aviation must generate large, well developed and intensively used flying sites. That means sharing the facilities with many people. Land is too valuable to leave it vacant, just so a few people can fly model airplanes over it for a couple of hours per year. Look at all the shopping centers that used to be airports. Consider how many formerly public beaches now have hotels squatting on them. Look at all the campgrounds that the Boy Scouts "used to own." Guess what will happen to our present flying sites, if AMA fails to take vigorous action to protect them.
<<<<<<<<<<<&lt ;

While I don't see AMA as the builder of flying sites, I do envision an AMA that would lead a thrust into promoting model aviation to all through constant amounts of publicity heaped on all forms of news media. A program that would make the sport-hobby as well known as any sport. This is where flying site acquisition by those local Chartered Clubs and/or AMA Chapters will be enhanced.

The problem with that vision is simply because so many people getting into this sport "....just want to fly a few years, move on and avoid all the politics." Throughout their young lives they have never had to produce because their school teachers teach them from day 1 that the government will take care of them.
That is why I am concerning myself only with those that want to be serious about their hobby.