Where is the emocon for a really long sigh? It's a pretty simple situation. We don't need data. I'm not going to run a public opinion poll first. It all seems very simple and very easy to grasp for me, but alas, I thought English Comp II was pretty darn hard to grasp and there were plenty of people who got A's in class. So, like my English Comp II teacher, my sister, and both parents, I will remain patient and vigil, willing to help and teach. I will try to help make sense of it for anyone who does not understand or grasp the concepts and ideas involved here.
Go grab any set of instructions for any number of different rocket motors you have, or google some if you don't have any. Go grab them now. I'll wait.
Do you see words like Dangerous, Hazardous, Flamable, For sale to persons 18yrs (or 21yrs) old or older, Keep out of reach of Children, First Aid Instructions, Fire Safety? Do you see where it states the intended use?
Now, go grab ANY other instructions for any of your kids toys, anything you can find on line, anything in the kitchen or garage.
How many other items, have anything similar? Did you find some DrainO, 409 or Oven Cleaner? Maybe out in the garage you found some Engine Starter Fluid, or spray paint cans,...maybe a can of brake cleaner?
My point is, there are few things in this world available to us that have such strict warnings. The items that do have strict warnings such as these have a
very specific stated use. Look for it, you will find it. The manufactures of these products have put those words there for a reason. They wanted to warn people of the dangers of misuse. They wish to protect and distance themselves from those who do not do as they say. The TRA and NAR should be just as willing and able to protect themselves who do not follow their instructions. (the NAR & TRA Safety Code)
Now, forget about whether or not Discovery or NatGeo or anyone else is breaking any laws or not with what they show in their broadcasts. Forget whether or not you fly model or high power rockets. Forget everything you know about the safety code, and what you have seen or heard about at any rocket launch.
Now, go back to page one of this thread and look at the photos imaged there.
Would you want the neighbors kids doing that in your front yard, back yard or driveway?
Does it look like it was unsafe or dangerous?
Did it look safe?
Now....., now you can remember those rocket motor instructions you just read. Is it clear why they have those words of warning & danger on them? Did you get the feeling that the guy pictured on page 1 in the blue shirt, or the guy in the overalls read any of those instructions?
Now.......some definitions just to help make everything more clear and detailed.
Imagry -noun (im-age-ry) - defined as 1. the formation of mental images, figures, or likenesses of things, or of such images collectively: the dim imagery of a dream.
2. pictorial images
Perceive -verb (per-ceive) - defined as 1. to become aware of, know, or identify by means of the senses: I perceived an object looming through the mist.
2. to recognize, discern, envision, or understand: I perceive a note of sarcasm in your voice. This is a nice idea but I perceive difficulties in putting it into practice.
Safety -noun (safe-ty) - defined as 1. the state of being safe; freedom from the occurrence or risk of injury, danger, or loss.
2. the quality of averting or not causing injury, danger, or loss.
Promote - noun (pro-mote) - defined as 1. to help or encourage to exist or flourish; further: to promote world peace.
2. to advance in rank, dignity, position, etc. ( opposed to demote ).
From the
imagery on page one. Did you
perceive safety? Yes or No?
If you said no, how is that helping the TRA or NAR in a positive way?
If you said no, how is that helping the TRA or NAR
promote safety?
mkadams001 said:
Do you really think that the coverage of LDRS is showing rocketry in a negative way?
Yes, in part, I do think the DC is showing rocketry in a negative way.
Odd-Rocks are fun, but it is a very small part of what we do as an organization and it is by no means
our focus. Veiwers of the DC shows are more likely to believe the opposite since that is much of
their focus. Not that Odd-Rocks are negative, but do you think after seeing a snowmobile get launched on the Discovery Channel, at a Tripoli launch, that the direction in which they are driving and encouraging our members is one that is positive?
mkadams001 said:
They show how much goes into designing some of the rockets and the worries of the builders. It seems to me that that is a positive representation of rockery.
True, but where was the consistency in this message for the snowmobile that was launched? See the definition again for Safety above. Ussually when someones rocket crashes and is destroyed, cheers are not heard.
The last I heard about that DC LDRS31 coverage, a snowmobile was driven out to the pad, prepped and then flown. To many peoples disbelieve, it was not discouraged, there was not a line drawn that said "this has gone to far", or even, "this is not a rocket." To onlookers, how many do you suppose asked themselves, "I wonder what they will do next year?" "Maybe they will fly a boat?" "I mean hey, that's just wood and fiberglass right?" "What would be wrong with that?"
What is wrong is a snow mobile is not a rocket and last I checked, the TRA & NAR promote the safe and responsible flying of ROCKETS, with AIRFRAMES not STEEL CHASSIS, and NOTHING ELSE. Definitely NOT things with sprockets & a chain, a lead acid battery, 10W40 engine oil, a whole slew of other things that will never find their way into any REAL rocket or Odd-Rock, like a cushy foam seat and some handle bars. An Odd-Rock is still a rocket, one which has been purposefully designed and built as a rocket in order to fly in a stable and safe manner. The flying Pig, the Tiki Hut, Coke Zero, those are good examples of people taking the approach to building Odd-Rocks seriously, from the ground up with the intent of safety. How is a working snow mobile anything remotely similar? I will not be surprised if or when that member is banned from the membership for this violation of the Safety Code or has his prefect revoked for violations which many others have witnessed first hand.
I think the discovery channel is showing coverage of what THEY think the PUBLIC
wants to see and they are encouraging such activities so that their advertisers will get the value they paid for. It is not in our control & I believe it should be if we are to allow it. I do not think we as an organization (TRA OR NAR) would choose all of the same video clips or encourage the same behavior, or have the spectators all bunch up in a big mosh-pit crowd and cheer. In fact, we don't encourage it. When was the last time anyone saw someone at any launch (without cameras) asking people to group together, chant the 5,4,3,2,1 countdown then cheer? (But wait, we need to practice it a few time first) It simply does not happen and that is not what our rocket launches are about. Plain and simple.
I would rather see imagery on the DC that leads people to perceive that the things we are doing are not just safe, but important to education & growth in order to give good reason for doing what we are doing. The first time a non-member gets hurt and is rushed to the hospital and the story of it airs on the local news, doing it "for fun" is not going to suffice when the local mayor asks why did it happen in his/her town.
Many things in life get cut out if there are no real or
perceived benefits and I think it could be quite easy for a county mayor to pass an ordinance of NO ROCKETS ALLOWED in this county. Why would they do that? So they don't have to deal with any headaches or angry parents or land owners if someone gets hurt or property is damaged. When was the last time you saw a NO SKATEBOARDING sign? Is there much difference there? What is SO BAD about skateboarding that it is BANNED in many cities and towns? It is simple. It is perceived as a dangerous activity because kids have got hurt, when in fact it can be quite safe if the appropriate safety gear is worn and done in the proper environment. Many people, including myself, have been physically hurt as a result of rocket related activities. It is not inconceivable that something similar to skateboard restrictions would happen to us and our hobby.
I hope I have illustrated my intentions and the reasons for them more clearly to some of you this morning. If I have, and you agree with the petition now, Please copy the petition, add your name to the end, and be sure that you have included all other names.
If you would like to contribute your time to this effort for the betterment of our organizations and you feel there is a better way to keep track of names and add new names, if you feel there is a better way to keep the petition in front of readers eyes, or you have a way to make it more visible, please help contribute.
Sincerely,
