In article . com,
wrote:
Okay, fine, but do me a favor, suppose this hypothetically:

Sure thing...

What if, in recognition of existing problems, and in an effort to get
into your
town's good graces, and most importantly, to be allowed onto your
...
took certain steps, for instance....

Step one...

Suppose they/we actively and successfully supported and promoted
mandatory
education and licensing requirements for pwc operators, and as a
...
operate a vehicle...(unlike with any other kind of boats, I might add
parenthetically)

Good start.

Now, suppose further, bear with me here, that in addition, for more
than five years, the entire industry had been on a continuous and
highly effective campaign to make their 'skis dramatically quieter,
...
by year, obviously that trend stretching into the future...

Another good start.

Now, do you think it would be reasonable to ask those in your
community, those who'd voted for the pwc bans in the first place,
especially those with an interest in boating in general, to be informed
and aware of, and to acknowledge, these developments, and in fact to
reevaluate their impressions of pwc's and their riders, with these
changes in mind, after a number of years?

No problem.

Would you yourself be willing to do that? To update your level of

Sure thing.

OR, would you stubbornly cling to your original perceptions and notions
...
Rhetorical questions obviously. Just take a look at yourself, man, and
your attitude.

I have no problem doing all of that... as soon as we can completely
get rid of the assholes I was originally talking about... the noisy,
polluting, obnoxious ones that predominate the sport.

Remember we are all in this together when you talk about bans. There
are plenty of people who would love to see all power boats banned from

Actually, am in favor of bans in certain places. In others, I have no
problem with engines. Where I live, all gas/diesels are banned, and
it's great. Other places where I sail, everyone is welcome.

I just know I share a love of the water, and a great number of
responsibilities and concerns, with everybody on this newsgroup, and
every other boater and pwc enthusiast out on the water. Here's

I have no doubt about you. I do have doubts about many pwc
entusiasts. They seem to be there for the machismo. One finds them on
land also, mostly on the freeways, going 95.

another question: out of pwc's versus boaters at large, which group
more often has a beer in the hand of every person you seem to see on a
vessel underway? How about this: which group has a greater percentage

They just drink before they leave the ramp? Who knows? They have to
wear a vest because it's the law. A large percentage of sailors wear
them because it's smart. Some don't, but most do, at least where I
sail. They're not required to by law.

of always having life vests on? There is stupidity, irresposnbility,
and dangerous, illegal behavior perpretrated by boaters of ALL STRIPES
on all sizes and shapes of boats, but it is WRONG and UNFAIR to
prejudicially make statements painting all those boaters with the same
brush based on the behavior of the idiotic ones. It is just wrong.

I agree. However, I don't want noisy, polluting machines buzzing
around me, and there are a large percentage of pwc'ers who fit the
bill on that.

And "banning" any type of vehicle based on the illegal behavior of
whatever percentage of its users, is even more wrong....you just might
not know it yet if hasn't affected you personaly with your "choice of
toy."

They're not banned exclusively on that basis. They're banned for all
the other reasons I mentioned. Being a jerk isn't illegal.

How about this hypothetical... would you be willing to completely ban
those who continue to drive the noisy, polluting machines that
dominate the current situation? I think that would be a reasonable
compromise.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com