BasinBum & Jim Messer,
To both of you, I appreciate your honesty. And taking the time to answer me.
Ok so no 100% solid reason for joining, you've explained about the insurance and such, which was one of my questions. Same with the Mag. I think we all over load on the Mags. And yes I see the need of it for flying in AMA sponsored events. But if I understand correctly, being a member does not actually qualify you as a flyer. Am I correct in understanding that just by being a member, I could go to almost any AMA event and fly, no matter what my experience?
Hopefully there is some marshaling of the the folks who sign up to fly. Or is this something that is handled by the Club putting on the event? Is there no qualifying of a flyer to become a member? Not a give us your money and bang your in, is it?
Sorry but the more answers I get the more questions I seem to come up with.

Jim, God bless you for being in the hobby so long.
Me I've only been flying for roughly 30 yrs., and I still consider myself a mediocre flyer.
Since you've been around so long, I'd like to ask you something.
From my view point this hobby has really changed is say the last 5 years. 5 years ago there really were no park flyers, foamies, and electrics for that matter. This segment of the hobby has exploded. It seems to me this is the new generation of flyers. From what I've gotten off of reading a lot of forums, is that the gas crowd and builders seem to really look down on this part of the hobby. I would think the AMA and clubs should be jumping all over the latest generation of flyers, getting them involved, teaching them safety( which from my experience is very much lacking in the new generation) And so my question(s).
Why are the new generation of flyers beeing bashed instead of imbraced ?
Is it fear on the part of the older flyers? It's something new so it can't be any good?
Did you run into the same when the first gas then glow made the scene?
To me it seems these kids, so to say, are the future, and if the AMA and such don't try and include them, they will go on and the AMA will eventually die or become swallowed by the kids.
Thanks again for considering this, and I do appreciate your responses.
Brad

p.s. and to the other's I'd love to hear form you too. And I apologize for going off the forum subject.