Let's try to get something straight here --- S T R A I G H T.
I dunno what's got into Ray (and those others who seem to be snookered by his emotionalism) -- well, I guess it isn't too hard to figure out what's got into him, but...
I have NO concerns about HPR - as presently practiced and under the umbrella of NFPA 1127. Everything looks hunky dory. The only (repeat only) issue as concerns HPR is conducting those operations with fraudulently certified motors - which, by violating the Safety Code, bylaws and many state laws - nullifies the insurance. That means the landowner is assuming he's protected when he's not -- and any launch organizer who conducts such a launch WHEN THERE IS REASONABLE DOUBT as to the veracity of the information he is relying on is acting in a way I would characterize as unethical. If, on the other hand, HE HAS KNOWLEDGE that there is falsehood and fraud, it is immoral.
As to EX - I've stated numerous times that any person in this hobby can do whatever he wants in the research, design, fabrication and manufacture of 'propulsive systems' (as broad a term as I can see) - to whatever degree he so chooses. IF, in the pursuit of that endeavor, he engages in activities - or relys on representations - as to the legality and protections in force for those individuals who are NOT informed as to the risks they may be assuming - meaning here, mostly, those self-same landowners, then these EXers are acting unethically and should curtail their activities until the situation is changed (to PROVIDE that protection to those landowners). This could mean not doing it - or moving to a locale that assures greater protections.
If deceit and misrepresentation are involved (as I have seen far too many times) to engage in this activity - IN PARTICULAR, allowing (in any case, to any degree) an image to form in the landowner's mind that he is, indeed, protected when it is clear that he is not - then I judge that kind of behavior as immoral and it should cease post haste.
The bottom line in ALL of this is that landowner (and the public) -- IS HE PROTECTED?? This hobby has got itself a seedy and unprofessional image in that it has a *culture* of failing to be sufficiently forthcoming with making damn sure that landowner (and his interests) rank FIRST and the needs of the hobbyists come (way?) down the 'priority scale' (as to needs and wants). This is in great measure the basis of almost all of my 'problems' with the hobby - as it is presently practiced. TRA bears (and deserves) a great deal of the blame for this image - and it is simple to me: clean up or get out. Sadly, the NAR has shown that it, too, can 'wink and nod' and turn the other way and let unprofessionalism and deceit be the orders of the day. To them, I say the same thing: clean up or get out. You are acting like a deceitful little child that will come up with *any* excuse when caught with your hand in the 'cookie jar' (I've seen this for decades on the construction site). Grow up!
But, the absolute bottom line is not '100% compliance' - it's "stop lying". If that landowner thinks he's 'protected', you guys better make damn sure he is. 100%? I'll settle for 95% - but won't compromise much below that.
Ray - chill out on this 'john hates rocketry' bent you're on. You (and your friends - TRA or not) can do whatever you want. If you must lie to do it (and let that landowner think something other than the reality he faces), however - then I am *not* your friend - and you *won't* like my response to it. That won't change, either.
Now, for those who like to throw up any 'past mistakes' - made by me or others - this position (stated above) is the one I hold *on this day* - and much of that position is simply a 'firming' and 'clarity' that has formed over the last 15 years or so. I'm not perfect - nor have I been 'perfect'. I *do* however, continually review and reassess things - and factor in the knowledge and experience that growth entails. Growth involves change. "We've always done it this way," is the antithesis of growth and a weak rationalization (and rationalization is ALL that it is). Be a child or be an adult - you decide.
Somebody PLEASE post this.
-- john.