"Jim Hampton" wrote in message
...
Bert,
I don't mean to just break in on your argument with Phil, but consider
what
we are going through in Rochester, NY. Taxes are sky high, we lost over
800,000 people in New York since the mid 90s (jobs disappearing, wages
going
down, taxes going up). Obviously, the local governments are trying to cut
budgets. Police and firemen are not being replaced as they retire or
quit.
Enforcement is spotty at best. We just had a large block burn down in the
city due to arson a few months ago. People were doing oil changes in the
streets (if not stripping cars) and oil was left in the streets. Laws
were
passed, but weren't favored by a lot of folks. Loud booming radios were
causing problems. Laws were passed, but ignored. Those folks that you
think believe in the American Way started pushing the envelope. There is
now a severe drug problem (heck, if I'm not hurting anyone, it isn't any
of
your business). We now have the second highest murder rate in New York
outside of New York City! The problem is that there is little
enforcement,
and some folks get emboldened. Locally, they have a new tact. There are
now City of Rochester Police, Monroe County Sheriffs, and New York State
Troopers patrolling Rochester. Go ahead, spit your gum out. If you're
seen, you will get a ticket. Any violation, no matter how minor, and you
will get stopped. You may not be searched, but pray you don't have
anything
visible in your car that you shouldn't (like a little bag with some white
powder in it). They are starting real enforcement and there will be a lot
of minor violators that will end up paying some stiff fines. I don't see
any other way around the situation here; I also don't see things getting
any
better in the radio business without some *serious* enforcement. That
would
include the skip-shooting - at least until things quiet down to a dull
roar.
The lack of enforcement (regardless of cause, which is invariably lack of
funds) is not only allowing things to get worse, it is actively promoting
things to get worse.
Just my two cents' worth!
73 from Rochester, NY
Jim AA2QA
I certainly understand 100% wrt the situation you've described above, Jim.
While I certainly don't equate working DX on the CB with some of the
violations you mentioned above, I neither do it (DX on the CB.) nor
encourage anyone else to do it.
HOWEVER, I do support changing the rule via the legal and proper protocol.
End of story. I acknowledge that many folks do it now and the FCC does
absolutely nothing, but I certainly do NOT encourage it or endorse it. If it
is ever legalized, I'd tell folks to go for it...but certainly not now.
I realize my position on this subject is not popular among my fellow hams,
but it's what I believe. Thus far NOBODY has really provide a satisfactory
arguement against it. Most attempt to drag other unrelated subjects such as
freebanding and amplifiers into the fray. "Working DX will encourage the use
of illegal amplifiers," they say...conveniently forgetting that QRP
demonstrates otherwise with even less power output. (5 vs. 12 Watts)
I'm not going to change my beliefs just to avoid being flamed on a USENET
newsgroup. Just as I wouldn't on rec.radio.cb when I told 'em to get of
their asses and study for and pass Element 1 rather than play that pathetic
waiting game.
BTW, Phil and I have no argument...just a difference of opinion. I respect
Phil's opinion just as I hope he would respect mine. I did not start this
thread, I merely responded to the original post and it snowballed into this.
I basically argue with nobody. Take care, Jim.
--
73 de Bert
WA2SI
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