There is something that still bothers me...
During last week's mild to heated discussions concerning PAMPA, leadership current and future, Mr. Bob Reeves made what is, from his perspective, an accurate and honest comment: "...As I don't hear everything that goes on I may be a good example of average Joe wanna-be stunt pilot and it sure seems to me that most of the wind is blowing from the left coast."
Bob was responding to my statement, "...this *is not* a West Coast versus East Coast issue."
To place above quotes in context, refer to: http://www.clstunt.com/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=read_count&om=10560&forum=DCForumID1
For a little more of the picture, refer to: http://www.clstunt.com/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=read_count&om=5576&forum=DCForumID1#20
Again, Bob made an honest comment. I am quite certain that if he and I lived next door to each other--primarily so I could use his private CL field!--lived parallel lives in CL Stunt, I would be in agreement.
The comment is still incorrect. And not by a small margin.
The apparent, but totally false, East Coast/West Coast thing stems from one basic fact: A great many of us, regardless of geography, believe in playing by the rules and an important component is speaking out publicly, truthfully and without a hidden agenda.
Not everybody sees this as being an effective tactic, resorting to behind-the-scenes manipulation, part and parcel of this being making some of the most scurrilous and outrageous accusations against our most trustworthy volunteers, various whispering campaigns, and even writing petitions designed to affect Stunt News editorial policy.
Just to beat this to death, one way of dealing with various challenges facing our hobby and our favorite special interest group, PAMPA, is public, consistently put forth in reasonable terms, may lead to actual written proposals which can be voted on, in other cases challenges proponents of a differing point of view to submit a proposal.
Above is the way a great many of us operate. *And it has nothing to do with where we live.*
Most unfortunately, a very small group--the core of which is only four to six people, from what I can see--tends to operate under the radar, so to speak. By definition, this means there will always be the appearance of a wind blowing from a certain direction, but it is not related to the coasts of the U.S., it is directly related to how certain individuals choose to conduct business.
While it appears as if close proximity of these folk one to the other has resulted in a band-of-brothers approach, it is just as true that outside of B-O-B factor, geographic location of individuals is not of much significance.
In other words, that a great deal of the under-handed machinations come from New Jersey and Pennsylvania amounts to a mostly unfair characterization of a great many of my friends in these states. It does serve to nicely pinpoint the genesis of quite a number of character-building experiences for the rest of us, however. And thanks to thread referenced above, one of these individuals has clearly identified himself and certain of his tactics. My sincere thanks are extended.
Thus it is that this and quite a number of other issues **are not** a battle between the two coasts. It does serve NJ/PA-based antagonists well to perpetuate this myth, smoke and mirrors is part of their approach after all, but this only underlines my position, in no way refutes said position.
But what about those eeevvillll "West Coast Guys?" *I freely acknowledge that from afar there appears to be some collusion.* Unfortunately for the grassy-knoll theorists, this is most definitely not the case.
To limit this particular discussion somewhat, there is no coordination--as in *none*--between myself, Brett Buck and Ted Fancher. Yes, hard to believe from what one sees here on SSW. But it is true.
I see Ted exactly once each year, at the NW Regionals on Memorial Day. It's a contest; we are competitors, albeit on different ends of the scale as to skill levels. I cannot remember a single PAMPA Politics Discussion, although there may well have been some sidebar comments only moments in length.
In fact, Ted has spent more time admonishing me over certain SSW-related comments I have made (2003 NW Regionals) than all topics outside immediate competition at hand, and this over a period of many years.
Ted and I might talk on the phone once or twice a year, never more. The call is generally initiated here, there may well be talk of "the latest" in PAMPA, but the emphasis is on competition-oriented model aircraft. There has *never* resulted a plan of action intended to forward a particular, or even general, point of view.
As more recent proof of the lack of coordination between Ted and myself, never would I have been in favor of wording used in his recently published campaign statement. I might--in fact do, and quite well indeed--understand why statement worded as it was, and sure enough he laid out his heartfelt views. There is no confusion possible as to his position on various issues. However, presentation was in fact over the top, I have admonishment of my own to deliver at 2005 NW Regionals.
Much the same thing when it comes to Brett and me. With a twist. Shortly before '04 Regionals we had a blow-up, a result of a now-gone thread on SSW, the one dealing with ARF Survey in a recent SN. Details are private (read: none of your business), but Brett and I spoke very briefly at 2004 Regionals, this without any resolution to the issue. We were there to compete and have fun, after all. Which we both did.
We have not spoken since. Several polite, to the point, "Private Service" and e-mail messages have been passed between us. I asked, for example, if current BBS column could include a post-Nationals quote from him, this put forth on SSW. Brett said that was fine, although he admonished me (Is there a theme here? I see a *conspiracy,* Ted and Brett against Da Dirt! It's a District 10 against District 11 thing! Get ready for a whispering campaign designed to undermine these two known consorts of the devil!) as "overselling" the 20FP and its applications in CL Stunt. A statement of the obvious, in my view, but everything to excess I say...
Still, and I want to put this forth in the strongest terms possible, **there is not, there never has been, any coordination, on any matter, for any purpose whatsoever,** between Brett and myself. We are never shy about putting forth our views, we both believe strongly in personal integrity and playing by the rules, see the world in much the same way.
All of that is true. But it does not equate to a particular vision for PAMPA, strategies to put in place, projects designed to cut opposition off at the legs, tactics which result in realization of a mutual agreed upon vision.
Nor does above mean there is a CA/WA clash between NJ/PA. And it is laughable to think there is West Coast/East Coast head-butting going on here.
Closer to home, by Roundup 2004 the public attack on Warren Tiahrt was still on my mind. When I asked a good friend, one who not only knew of the open letter in current Stunt News, but would have signed it had he not been unavailable at the time, what was going on, the response was merely, “Watch for the next Stunt News.” When I pressed for details, he waved it off, literally and figuratively. The most I got was an oblique mention of a letter that would address the situation. And we went back to the flying of model aircraft. Simple as that.
Of the people signing this open letter, I do not personally know only four, although all of them are known to me as people of good will and good character. The rest I do know personally, some for a great many years. One in particular, PTG, is not only a long-time friend, he is a highly trusted friend. The point here is that I heard from not a single one of my friends in advance of this letter being published.
When it came out, you knew what I knew; in some cases knew a lot more.
A left coast conspiracy??!! No way…
Tell ya what: **All of us have to keep our eye on the ball.** It only serves the interests of those attempting to divide and conquer our lovely little organization, this having been the result of so much hard work and of obvious benefit to one and all, regardless of the level of active participation, the chosen type of participation, in CL Stunt.
I beg you, do not let a very small, very vocal, highly localized group succeed in splitting us apart.
Dan
P.S. Apologies are extended to Bob Reeves for keying off his honestly put forth comment. Nothing personal, my friend.
