Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta Resigns

[KBCraig]

http://www.nra.org/Speech.aspx?id=6031

re: "wand rape"

Thanks. They don't give any attribution or date. Is that Wayne LaPierre? And where/when?

Aside from the brief tangent on illegal aliens, I'm 100% behind what he says.

Kevin

[Charles L. Cotton]

Your heavy equipment brethren would disagree.

The "heavies" are no brethren of general aviation! If the airlines had their way, they would be the only ones in the air. Failing that, they want general aviation (GA) to be shouldered with an absurd financial burden that would put all but the largest corporate aviation departments out of the sky. Unfortunately, Bush pretty much agrees. Some airline pilots also fly general aviation aircraft, but they are unfortunately a small percentage.

The plight of GA pilots and related business owners has much in common with the plight of gun owners. We are often the target of unfounded accusations ranging from being a security risk for nuclear power plants, to "clogging" the airways making airline flights run late. Add to that the perception that all pilots, especially airplane owners, must be arrogant, rich snobs, and it's amazing the AOPA has been able to be as effective as it is with 1/10 of the membership of the NRA. Plus, there is no Constitutional protection to fly.

I'm not saying I support anyone who is pro-GA. Sen. Tom Daschle was a very strong supporter of GA, but he was truly an enemy of the Second Amendment and gun owners. I was strongly opposed to his re-election, both as an NRA Board Member and as an individual. I just don't see Mineta as a threat to the Second Amendment, or even anti-Second Amendment. He was apparently against guns in the cockpit and I certainly disagree with that position. Was that his position, or was he following orders?

Chas.

[KBCraig]

Your heavy equipment brethren would disagree.

The "heavies" are no brethren of general aviation! If the airlines had their way, they would be the only ones in the air.

Don't confuse airlines with pilots. That's like confusing the International Association of Chiefs of Police with your local cops on the beat. There's almost a direct correlation when it comes to GA and 2A.

Some airline pilots also fly general aviation aircraft, but they are unfortunately a small percentage.

I don't have any figures, only my anectdotal experience. But, I've never met a heavy driver who didn't love flying, and (by extension) enjoy flying GA whenever he got the chance. I've known quite a few, and my best Army buddy came up in GA, graduated Embry-Riddle, and now flies heavies for Air France Cargo.

The plight of GA pilots and related business owners has much in common with the plight of gun owners. We are often the target of unfounded accusations ranging from being a security risk for nuclear power plants, to "clogging" the airways making airline flights run late. Add to that the perception that all pilots, especially airplane owners, must be arrogant, rich snobs, and it's amazing the AOPA has been able to be as effective as it is with 1/10 of the membership of the NRA. Plus, there is no Constitutional protection to fly.

Don't forget the influence on both industries of frivolous lawsuits and insurance regulations. Civil lawyers --no offense -- have done more damage to GA than the legislators could ever dream of doing.

I'm not a pilot, although I'd love to get my wings. I've got a few dozen hours of bootleg time with the aforementioned Army buddy, but that was years ago. Since then, I just haven't made time (nor printed money) to make it possible.

Thanks for the response. I didn't intend to make this a GA/2A debate, just pointing out that no matter how good a friend ol' Norm was to GA, he was still an enemy of aviation security and civil rights. Simultaneously, oddly enough.

Kevin

[glock75]

I must admit that I don't know that much about the issue with airline pilot being armed and the problems associated with it, but I would have to ask the same question Chas. asked, was Mineta doing it on his own or was he following orders; i.e. Bush. As a political appointee, he must support the president's agenda or get out. Maybe that is why he is leaving.... after all, while this administration is a whole lot friendlier to gunowners, the president did try to get the assault weapons ban bill reauthorized.

Again, Mineta has been very important to GA and as Chas. stated, AOPA is to GA what the NRA is to 2A. So, I hate to see him go.