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From: Philip (no email)
Date: Sun Jun 17 2007 - 09:13:39 EDT
At 07:03 PM 6/16/2007, you wrote:
>I can't wait to hear the argument against a proficiency test <LOL>!
You do not examine legislation in the light of the benefits it will convey
if properly administered, but in the light of the wrongs it would do and
the harms it would cause if improperly administered. -- Lyndon Baines
Johnson, U.S. President
It is not necessary for the government to become involved in licensing. All
is needed is a requirement to carry a card from the USGG Auxiliary or the
US Power Squadron certifying that you have passed their basic boating
class. If the government must become involved the, model of the Amateur
Radio Service's relationship with the FCC comes to mind. The concept that
it is necessary to create another level of bureaucracy in order to make us
"safe" is bogus.
ALSO: this trial balloon is being lofted as a means to make America safe
from a small boat terrorist attack. Just think about that for a minute. Do
federally mandated float plans and yet another level of government come to
mind?
"Acknowledging that the nation remains too vulnerable to terrorist attack
by small planes and recreational boats, the Department of Homeland Security
is considering new requirements to allow authorities to identify operators
and passengers in millions of these vehicles as they ply the coasts and
skies". (link to full NYT article below.)
I believe that a simple license is not what they have in mind. A
transponder, mandatory and paid for by the boater will be necessary to let
the government forces know what ever information they want. The
owner/operator will be responsible for the data entry of his/her passengers
into the device. Quite naturally spot checks will be necessary to insure
compliance. Of course this will not do anything to deter a real terrorist.
It will create another level of government , that now knows (and I will
assume will be retained in their database) with whom you associate. And
they now have another reason to board you. Any infractions will be costly,
I am sure.
Is this what we want?
Philip
http://tinyurl.com/2rjnnk (registration required)
OR:
Philip & Marilyn Lange
AE4OV & KD4JRC,
ORYOKI
Witness 35 Catamaran
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